Get ready for a treat that’s almost too cute to eat – my Animal Fruit Tartlets! These mini desserts feature a creamy cream cheese filling, topped with fresh fruit arranged to create adorable animal faces. They’re a fun and creative way to enjoy fresh fruit, and the recipe is easy to follow. Just fill the tartlet shells with the cream cheese filling, add your favorite fruits, and chill – it’s that simple! So grab your pastry bag and get ready to create some edible art that will wow your guests.
Hey everyone, I’m Lars Johansson, a pastry chef from Stockholm, Sweden. My love for creating delicious desserts began when I was performing as an acrobat in the circus, and I started experimenting with baking during my downtime. Now, as a trained pastry chef, I’m excited to share my recipe for Animal Fruit Tartlets that are not only adorable but also delicious!
Lars Johansson is a former circus performer turned pastry chef. After years of touring the world and performing gravity-defying feats under the big top, Lars discovered his passion for creating delicious and beautiful desserts. He attended culinary school and now owns his own bakery in his hometown of Stockholm, Sweden. When he’s not in the kitchen, Lars can be found practicing acrobatics or exploring the nearby forest with his trusty dog, a Great Dane named Sven.
Lars currently resides in Sweden and grew up in Sweden.
The recipe for Animal Fruit Tartlets actually comes from my grandmother, who used to make similar tartlets for me and my siblings when we were kids. She would arrange the fruit on top to resemble cute animals, and we would always be so excited to eat them. When I became a pastry chef, I wanted to recreate her recipe but add my own twist with a cream cheese filling and a variety of fresh fruit toppings. And feel free to mix it up further by adding food coloring to the filling or chocolate drizzle on top to your own!
I think this recipe is perfect for right now because it’s a fun and playful dessert that’s sure to bring a smile to anyone’s face. With the world still recovering from a pandemic and many of us spending more time at home, it’s important to find joy in the little things. These Animal Fruit Tartlets are not only delicious but also a creative way to get kids involved in the kitchen and have fun with their food.
What you need
Looking for a fun and creative way to enjoy fresh fruit? Look no further than my Animal Fruit Tartlets recipe! These mini treats feature a light and creamy cream cheese filling, topped with a variety of fresh fruit to create adorable animal faces. I love the colorful and juicy mix of strawberries, blueberries, kiwis, and bananas, which pair perfectly with the tangy and slightly sweet cream cheese. The recipe is easy to follow, with just a few simple steps. First, prepare the cream cheese filling by beating together cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Then, slice the fresh fruit and arrange it on top of the filled tartlet shells to create animal faces. Chill the tartlets in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to set the filling, and voila – a fun and tasty dessert that’s sure to impress!
Ingredients:
- Mini tartlet shells – Pre-made shells make the recipe quick and easy to put together. Can be substituted with homemade tartlet shells, but will require additional time and effort.
- Cream cheese – Adds richness and a tangy flavor to the filling. Can be substituted with mascarpone cheese for a creamier filling.
- Powdered sugar – Sweetens the filling and helps thicken it. Can be substituted with granulated sugar, but will not dissolve as easily.
- Vanilla extract – Adds a sweet and warm flavor to the filling. Can be substituted with almond extract for a different flavor profile.
- Assorted fresh fruit – The star of the recipe! Sliced fruit arranged on top of the tartlets to create cute animal faces. Can use any fruit of choice or based on availability.
- Mini chocolate chips – Used to add details to the animal faces, such as pupils and noses. Can be substituted with chocolate shavings or chopped chocolate.
- Optional: mint leaves – Used as a garnish to add a pop of green color and a refreshing flavor. Can be omitted if not available.
- Optional: honey – Used to drizzle on top of the tartlets for a touch of sweetness. Can be substituted with maple syrup or agave nectar.
- Optional: chocolate – Used to garnish the top if desired.
- Optional: food coloring – Used to color the cream cheese filling for even more fun animal creations. Can be substituted for a home-made natural food coloring.
Utensils:
- Mixing bowl
- Hand mixer or stand mixer – Can mix by hand with a whisk, but will require additional time and effort.
- Spoon or spatula
- Baking sheet
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Optional: Pastry bag – Can use a plastic bag with the corner cut off as a makeshift pastry bag.
Cream cheese, a rich and tangy filling…
Cream cheese is a staple ingredient in many dessert recipes, and for good reason! In my Animal Fruit Tartlets recipe, the cream cheese filling adds a delicious tangy flavor and a smooth texture that complements the sweet fruit toppings perfectly. Did you know that cream cheese was invented in the United States in the late 1800s? It quickly became popular as a spread for bagels and toast, and later as a versatile ingredient in both sweet and savory dishes. While it’s not the healthiest ingredient due to its high fat content, it’s okay to indulge in moderation. Plus, it’s a good source of calcium! I love using cream cheese in my desserts because it adds a creamy richness that is hard to replicate with other ingredients.
Assorted fresh fruit, the stars of the recipe…
Assorted fresh fruit is the key ingredient in my Animal Fruit Tartlets, and it’s what makes these tartlets not only delicious but also adorable! I love using a variety of fruits to create different animal faces on top of each tartlet. Did you know that eating a variety of fruits is important for getting a range of nutrients? Fruits are packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that are important for maintaining good health. I always try to use seasonal fruits in my recipes, as they are fresher and have more flavor. For these tartlets, I like using fruits that are naturally sweet, such as strawberries, blueberries, kiwi, and mango. But feel free to use whatever fruits you have on hand or prefer. Just remember to have fun with it and let your creativity run wild!
What to serve it with?
I absolutely love serving my Animal Fruit Tartlets with a hot cup of tea or coffee! The tartlets are light and fruity, making them the perfect pairing for a warm and comforting beverage. The tartness of the fruit and the creaminess of the filling complement the bitterness of the tea or coffee, creating a well-balanced and satisfying dessert. I also enjoy serving these tartlets as a fun and creative dessert for special occasions, such as birthdays or baby showers. They are sure to bring a smile to everyone’s face and make the occasion even more memorable!
Summary
And there you have it, my delicious and adorable Animal Fruit Tartlets! I hope you enjoyed making them as much as I do. Don’t forget to share your creations in the comments below, and let me know which animal faces you came up with! Also, if you have any tips or tricks for making this recipe even better, I would love to hear them. Thanks for reading, and happy baking!
Here’s the recipe:
Animal Fruit Tartlets – Adorable and Delicious Tartlets that will Bring a Smile to Your Face!
Equipment
- Mixing bowl
- Hand mixer or stand mixer
- Spoon or spatula
- Baking Sheet
- Sharp Knife
- cutting board
- Optional: Pastry bag
Ingredients
- 24 Mini tartlet shells
- 8 oz. Cream cheese
- 1/2 cup Powdered sugar
- 1 tsp. Vanilla extract
- as needed Assorted fresh fruit
- as needed Mini chocolate chips
- as needed Optional: mint leaves
- as needed Optional: honey
Instructions
- Prepare the cream cheese filling – In a mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Use a hand mixer or stand mixer to beat the mixture until it’s smooth and creamy. Set aside.
- Slice the fresh fruit – Wash and dry the fresh fruit. Slice the fruit into thin rounds or wedges, depending on the type of fruit. Arrange the sliced fruit on a plate, separating them by type.
- Arrange the tartlet shells – Arrange the mini tartlet shells on a baking sheet. Spoon or pipe the cream cheese filling into each shell, filling them about 3/4 of the way.
- Create the animal faces – Arrange the sliced fruit on top of the cream cheese filling to create animal faces. Use a variety of fruit to create different faces, such as strawberries for ears, blueberries for eyes, and kiwi for noses. Use mini chocolate chips to add details such as pupils and noses. Optional: garnish with mint leaves and drizzle with honey.
- Chill and serve – Chill the tartlets in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to set the cream cheese filling. Serve and enjoy!
