Elegant Cherry Pistachio Tartlets

 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Perfect Balance of Flavors – The nutty pistachios complement the sweet-tart cherries beautifully.
  • Elegant and Impressive – These tartlets are stunning, making them ideal for dinner parties, holidays, or special events.
  • Buttery, Crisp Crust – A homemade tart shell that melts in your mouth.
  • Easy to Make in Steps – Prepare the crust, filling, and topping separately for a smooth baking process.
  • Customizable – You can tweak the recipe to your liking with different fruits or nut fillings.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the Tartlet Shells:

  • All-purpose flour
  • Unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
  • Powdered sugar
  • Egg yolk
  • Cold water

For the Pistachio Filling:

  • Shelled pistachios, ground
  • Granulated sugar
  • Unsalted butter, melted
  • Large egg
  • Vanilla extract
  • Heavy cream

For the Cherry Topping:

  • Fresh cherries, pitted and halved
  • Sugar
  • Lemon juice
  • Cornstarch (optional, for thickening)

Directions

  1. Make the Tartlet Shells – Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). In a food processor, combine flour, butter, and powdered sugar. Pulse until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add the egg yolk and cold water, then pulse until the dough forms. Press into tartlet pans and chill for 20 minutes. Bake for 12-15 minutes until golden. Let cool.
  2. Prepare the Pistachio Filling – In a bowl, mix ground pistachios, sugar, melted butter, egg, vanilla extract, and heavy cream until smooth. Spoon the filling into the cooled tartlet shells and bake for 15-18 minutes or until set.
  3. Make the Cherry Topping – In a saucepan, combine cherries, sugar, and lemon juice. Cook over medium heat until the cherries release their juices. If needed, dissolve cornstarch in water and stir it into the cherry mixture to thicken. Cook for another 2-3 minutes.
  4. Assemble the Tartlets – Once the pistachio filling has cooled, spoon the cherry mixture over each tartlet.

Servings and Timing

  • Servings: Makes about 6-8 tartlets
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour

Variations

  • Use Different Nuts – Swap pistachios for almonds or hazelnuts for a unique flavor.
  • Try a Different Fruit Topping – Raspberries, blueberries, or even poached pears can replace cherries.
  • Add Chocolate – Drizzle melted chocolate over the top for an extra indulgent treat.
  • Citrus Twist – Add a touch of orange zest to the filling for a bright flavor.

Storage/Reheating

  • Refrigeration – Store tartlets in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
  • Freezing – Freeze the baked tartlet shells (without filling) for up to 2 months.
  • Reheating – Enjoy at room temperature or warm slightly in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for a few minutes.

FAQs

How do I make the tartlet shells extra crisp?

Make sure to chill the dough before baking, and avoid overworking it.

Can I use frozen cherries?

Yes, just thaw them first and drain excess liquid before cooking.

Can I make these ahead of time?

Yes! Prepare the shells and filling a day in advance, then add the cherry topping before serving.

What can I use instead of heavy cream?

You can use milk or a dairy-free alternative like coconut cream.

How do I prevent a soggy crust?

Bake the tartlet shells fully before adding the filling. You can also brush them with egg white before filling.

Can I make this as a large tart instead of mini tartlets?

Absolutely! Use a 9-inch tart pan and adjust the baking time accordingly.

Can I make the dough by hand instead of a food processor?

Yes, simply cut the butter into the flour using a pastry cutter or your hands.

How can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Use a gluten-free flour blend in place of all-purpose flour.

What if I don’t have tartlet pans?

You can use a muffin tin lined with parchment or small ramekins..

Conclusion

These elegant cherry pistachio tartlets are a perfect balance of flavors and textures, making them a show-stopping dessert for any occasion. Whether you enjoy them as a festive treat or a gourmet indulgence, they are sure to impress. Try them today and savor the delightful combination of nutty pistachios and juicy cherries!


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Elegant Cherry Pistachio Tartlets


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  • Author: Isabella
  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 6-8 tartlets
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

These elegant cherry pistachio tartlets feature a buttery, crisp tart shell filled with a rich, nutty pistachio filling and topped with luscious, sweet-tart cherries. Perfect for special occasions, these sophisticated treats are as beautiful as they are delicious.


Ingredients

For the Tartlet Shells:

  • 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, chilled & cubed
  • ¼ cup powdered sugar
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 12 tbsp cold water

For the Pistachio Filling:

  • ¾ cup shelled pistachios, ground
  • ⅓ cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 large egg
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 tbsp heavy cream

For the Cherry Topping:

  • 1 ½ cups fresh cherries, pitted & halved
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tsp cornstarch (optional, for thickening)

Instructions

1️⃣ Make the Tartlet Shells

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. In a food processor, combine flour, butter, and powdered sugar. Pulse until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
  3. Add the egg yolk and cold water, pulsing until the dough forms.
  4. Press into tartlet pans, then chill for 20 minutes.
  5. Bake for 12-15 minutes, until golden. Let cool.

2️⃣ Prepare the Pistachio Filling

  1. In a bowl, mix ground pistachios, sugar, melted butter, egg, vanilla extract, and heavy cream until smooth.
  2. Spoon into cooled tartlet shells.
  3. Bake for 15-18 minutes, until set.

3️⃣ Make the Cherry Topping

  1. In a saucepan, combine cherries, sugar, and lemon juice.
  2. Cook over medium heat until the cherries release juices.
  3. (Optional) Dissolve cornstarch in water and stir into the cherry mixture. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until thickened.

4️⃣ Assemble the Tartlets

  • Once the pistachio filling has cooled, spoon the cherry topping over each tartlet.

Notes

Use Different Nuts – Try almonds or hazelnuts for a unique flavor.
Try Another Fruit – Swap cherries for raspberries, blueberries, or poached pears.
Add Chocolate – Drizzle melted chocolate over the top for extra indulgence.
Citrus Twist – Add a touch of orange zest to the filling for brightness.

  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: French

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