Strawberry Mascarpone Tartlets

These fresh Strawberry Mascarpone Tartlets are the perfect summer dessert bites! They're made with puff pastry and topped lemon and honey.

There's nothing better to celebrate the arrival of spring and summer than fresh strawberries. One of my favorite ways to utilize them is to whip up a batch of these Strawberry Tartlets!

It's springtime in Minnesota which means people in this state are celebrating. What are we celebrating? Everything. Well, mainly the fact that we can step outside without having to bundle up. Stocking hats, gloves, and boots are all retired for the season.

The warmer months in Minnesota are packed with outdoor get-togethers, most of which revolve around food. These strawberry mini tarts are just the thing if you're looking for a sweet treat to share with others.

They're made with puff pastry that's cut into rounds and then baked in the oven. The pastry rounds are topped with a decadent mascarpone cream, fresh strawberries, and then drizzled with honey. These tartlets melt in your mouth.

These tartlets are sweet, but not overwhelmingly so and brightened up with the addition of lemon zest. They're easy to make and a great way to utilize fresh summer berries.

Jump to:

• Is Puff Pastry Gluten Free?
• Tips For Using Gluten Free Puff Pastry
• Ingredients For Strawberry Mascarpone Tartlets
• How To Bake Puff Pastry Tartlets
• What Is Mascarpone?
• How To Make Mascarpone Cream
• How To Make The Strawberry Topping
• How To Make Strawberry Mascarpone Tartlets
• Can These Strawberry Tartlets Be Made Ahead Of Time?
• How Long Do These Tartlets Last In The Fridge?
• Can They Be Frozen?
• Strawberry Mascarpone Tartlets

Is Puff Pastry Gluten Free?

I love puff pastry because it is a blank canvas and can be taken in so many different directions. It can be made sweet like these Baklava Tartlets or savory like these Mushroom Gruyere Tartlets and Gruyere Prosciutto Tartlets.

The variety of desserts and appetizers you can make with this stuff is virtually endless.

Puff pastry is not gluten free, but there are gluten free brands of puff pastry on the market. I have used both Schar and GeeFree brands of gluten free puff pastry and been happy with the results.

Feel free to use any brand of puff pastry if gluten is not an issue for you.

Tips For Using Gluten Free Puff Pastry

• If using gluten free puff pastry, it must be removed from the freezer and allowed to thaw for 3 hours at room temperature before using. Keep this in mind when making these tartlets.
• Regular puff pastry only requires 40 minutes to thaw at room temperature before baking.
• Gluten free puff pastry falls apart more easily than regular puff pastry. I recommend forming it into a ball after removing it from the package and rolling it out like pie crust using a rolling pin. It works much the same as gluten free pie crust - It's very forgiving, but requires more patience.
• After rolling the puff pastry (gluten free or otherwise) into a sheet and cutting it into rounds, feel free to ball it up with your hands and roll it out once again. Continue this process until all of the pastry has been cut into rounds.
• Gluten free puff pastry can usually be found in the freezer section of your local or specialty grocery store. The store will usually order it if they do not have it in stock.
• It's best to roll puff pastry (gluten free or otherwise) out on a lightly floured surface to prevent the sheets from sticking. Make sure to use a gluten free flour blend if using gluten free puff pastry.
• Gluten free puff pastry does not 'puff up' as much as regular puff pastry. It's still flaky and delicious, but isn't quite as light and airy as the regular stuff.

Ingredients For Strawberry Mascarpone Tartlets

Here's what you'll need to make them.

• 1 package Gluten Free Puff Pastry (such as Schar or GeeFree) (can use regular puff pastry if not gluten free)
• 1 package Fresh Strawberries
• 8 oz. Mascarpone
• 1 cup Heavy Whipping Cream
• ¼ cup Powdered Sugar
• 1 tsp. Vanilla Extract
• 2 Tbsp. Lemon Juice plus the zest of 2 lemons
• 2 Tbsp. Honey (adjust to taste)
• 1-2 Tbsp. Gluten Free Flour Blend (or AP flour if not gluten free)
• Cooking Spray

How To Bake Puff Pastry Tartlets

The first step to making this recipe is to cut the thawed puff pastry sheets into rounds. You can use a biscuit cutter or cookie cutter to cut the pastry into rounds.

I recommend a 2 inch biscuit cutter or cookie cutter for this.

The pastry rounds are then placed onto greased baking sheets, pierced with a fork to prevent them from 'puffing' too much, and then baked in the oven until golden.

It only takes about 10-12 minutes to bake the puff pastry rounds. I recommend allowing them to cool completely before adding the mascarpone cream.

One package of puff pastry yields 24-28 pastry rounds.

1. If using gluten free puff pastry, remove 1 package from the freezer and allow to thaw at room temperature for 3 hours before use. If using regular puff pastry, remove the package and thaw at room temperature for 40 minutes before use.
2. Heat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
3. Generously spray 2 large baking sheets with cooking spray to prevent the pastry rounds from sticking as they bake.
4. Sprinkle some gluten free flour blend (or AP flour if not gluten free) on a clean, flat surface, remove a puff pastry sheet from the package and roll it up into a ball. Form the puff pastry sheet into a disc and roll it out with a rolling pin (much like you would a pie crust).
5. Cut 2 inch rounds from the pastry sheet using a biscuit cutter or cookie cutter. Place the rounds onto a greased baking sheet.
6. Ball up the pastry with your hands, form it into a disc, and roll it out once again. Cut more rounds from the pastry. Repeat until all the pastry is gone.
7. Repeat with the second sheet of thawed puff pastry.
8. Piece each puff pastry round a few times with a fork. This will prevent it from 'puffing' too much as it bakes.
9. Place the baking sheets in the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the bottom of the pastry rounds is golden brown.
10. Remove the baking sheets from the oven and allow to cool completely.

What Is Mascarpone?

Mascarpone is an Italian cream cheese. It's kind of like a cross between cream cheese and butter. Mascarpone is slightly sweet and often used in desserts like tiramisu.

Mascarpone is similar in texture to cream cheese or sour cream, but is less tangy in flavor.

You can find mascarpone cheese in the dairy or specialty cheese section of your local grocery store.

It is used in this recipe along with heavy whipping cream to create a lightly sweetened, decadent cream to spread over the baked puff pastry rounds.

I recommend removing the package of mascarpone cheese from the refrigerator and allowing it to come to room temperature before use. This helps to create a smooth mascarpone cream.

How To Make Mascarpone Cream

This mascarpone cream is super easy to make and can be prepared using the whisk attachment of a stand mixer or a hand mixer.

1. Remove 1 8 oz. package of mascarpone cheese from the refrigerator and allow to come to room temperature if possible.
2. Place the mascarpone cheese in a mixing bowl along with 1 cup of heavy whipping cream, ¼ cup powdered sugar, 1 tsp. vanilla extract, and a pinch of kosher salt.
3. Using the whisk attachment of a stand mixer or a hand mixer, whip all of these ingredients for 2-3 minutes on medium speed, or until light and fluffy.

How To Make The Strawberry Topping

These tartlets are topped simply with fresh strawberries that are sliced and then tossed in some lemon juice to make the flavors pop.

You can cut the strawberries any way you like. Feel free to cut them into halves, quarters, or slices depending on the size of the berries.

You can also use raspberries, or a combination of fresh berries if you prefer.

1. Wash 1 package of strawberries and remove the green tops. Cut the strawberries into halves, quarters, or slices and place them in a bowl.
2. Add 2 Tbsp. of fresh lemon juice to the strawberries and toss until completely coated.

Love strawberries? Don't miss these recipes!

• Strawberry Mint Panna Cotta
• Scandinavian Almond Cake
• Greek Yogurt Oatmeal Cups
• Strawberry Mojito Mocktail

How To Make Strawberry Mascarpone Tartlets

Once all of the components are ready, all that's left is to assemble the strawberry tartlets.

1. Once the tartlets have cooled completely, spread 1-2 Tbsp. of the mascarpone evenly over the top of each one.
2. Arrange some of the chopped fresh strawberries on top of the mascarpone cream.
3. Repeat with the remainder of the tartlets.
4. Drizzle a few Tbsp. of honey over the tartlets (feel free to adjust the amount of honey depending on how sweet you like them.
5. Using a Microplane zester, zest 1-2 lemons over the top of the tartlets.

Looking for more desserts? Check out these recipes!

• Old Fashioned Blueberry Buckle
• Crispy Sugar Cookies
• Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies
• Italian Chocolate Hazelnut Cake

Can These Strawberry Tartlets Be Made Ahead Of Time?

For the best taste and texture, I recommend assembling these strawberry tartlets right before serving. The puff pastry may become stale and the tartlets watery if prepared too long before serving.

However, you can prepare all of the components separately ahead of time and assemble right before serving.

• Feel free to bake the puff pastry rounds the day before, cool, and store in an airtight container.
• The mascarpone cream can also be prepared the day ahead and stored in an airtight container in the fridge.
• The strawberries may be cut and stored in the refrigerator ahead of time as well. Add the lemon juice to the strawberries right before assembling.
• If preparing all the components ahead of time, simply assemble as directed, drizzle with honey, and add the lemon zest right before serving.
• If transferring the tartlets to a party or get-together, make sure to transport them in a covered container.

How Long Do These Tartlets Last In The Fridge?

These Strawberry Mascarpone Tartlets should last 1-2 days stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, but are best enjoyed right away or the next day.

Can They Be Frozen?

For optimal taste and texture, I do not recommend freezing these tartlets.

Love desserts? Check out these recipes!

• Baked Lemon Doughnuts
• Baileys Doughnuts
• Cookies and Cream Ice Cream
• Peanut Butter Cup Ice Cream
• Pistachio Panna Cotta

Looking For More Strawberry Desserts? Don't Miss These!

Gluten Free Strawberry Almond Cake

Strawberry Shortcake Cake

Strawberry Bread with Cream Cheese Glaze