Savory Mini Tart Wreath Recipe

Introduction

These Savory Mini Tart Wreaths are a delightful appetizer perfect for festive occasions or casual gatherings. Crisp pastry rings filled with a creamy cheese mixture and topped with colorful fresh vegetables make an impressive and delicious treat.

Ingredients

• 1 sheet ready-made puff pastry or shortcrust pastry (approximately 8.8 oz)
• 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
• 5.3 oz cream cheese, softened
• 2.8 oz grated Gruyère or mature cheddar
• 1 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
• 1/2 tsp lemon zest
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1/2 red bell pepper, finely diced
• 1/2 yellow bell pepper, finely diced
• 6 cherry tomatoes, quartered
• 1 small cucumber, diced
• 2 tbsp pomegranate seeds (optional)
• Microgreens or fresh dill, to garnish

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400°F and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
2. Step 2: Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured surface to about 1/8 inch thickness. Using a 2.4 inch round cutter, cut out 24 circles. Then, use a smaller 1 inch cutter to punch out the centers from each circle, creating wreath shapes.
3. Step 3: Arrange the pastry rings on the prepared tray and brush each lightly with the beaten egg for a golden finish.
4. Step 4: Bake the pastry rings for 10 to 12 minutes until they turn golden and crisp. Remove from the oven and let them cool completely.
5. Step 5: In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, grated Gruyère, chopped chives, parsley, lemon zest, salt, and pepper. Mix well until smooth and creamy.
6. Step 6: Transfer the cheese mixture into a piping bag fitted with a star tip if you have one. Pipe a generous swirl of the mixture onto each cooled tartlet base.
7. Step 7: Decorate each tartlet with diced red and yellow bell peppers, quartered cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, and pomegranate seeds if using. Garnish with microgreens or fresh dill to create a festive wreath look.
8. Step 8: Serve the mini tart wreaths immediately or refrigerate them for up to 2 hours before serving to keep the texture fresh.

Tips & Variations

• For a vegetarian option, omit the Gruyère and use a flavorful mature cheddar or a plant-based cheese alternative.
• You can prepare the pastry rings a day ahead and store them in an airtight container to save time on the day of serving.
• Try adding finely chopped nuts like toasted walnuts or almonds to the cheese filling for added texture and flavor.
• If fresh herbs aren’t available, dried versions can be used, but reduce the quantity as they are more concentrated.

Storage

Store any assembled tartlets in the refrigerator covered with plastic wrap or in an airtight container for up to 2 hours. The pastry is best served crisp, so avoid storing longer to prevent sogginess. If needed, the pastry rings can be baked in advance and stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 24 hours before filling and decorating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen pastry for this recipe?

Yes, frozen puff or shortcrust pastry works well. Just thaw it completely in the refrigerator before rolling out and cutting.

What can I substitute for Gruyère cheese?

If you don’t have Gruyère, mature cheddar is a great substitute that provides a similar depth of flavor and melts nicely in the filling.

Savory Mini Tart Wreath Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 435 reviews

• Author: Hailey
• Total Time: 32 minutes
• Yield: 24 mini tartlets 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

This Savory Mini Tart Wreath recipe features delicate puff pastry rings filled with a creamy herb-infused cheese blend and topped with colorful fresh vegetables and herbs. Perfect as an elegant appetizer or party platter centerpiece, these bite-sized tarts combine crispy pastry with smooth cream cheese, zesty Gruyère, and vibrant garnishes for a festive, flavorful treat.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pastry

• 1 sheet ready-made puff pastry or shortcrust pastry (approximately 8.8 oz)
• 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)

Cheese Filling

• 5.3 oz cream cheese, softened
• 2.8 oz grated Gruyère or mature cheddar
• 1 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
• 1/2 tsp lemon zest
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Topping

• 1/2 red bell pepper, finely diced
• 1/2 yellow bell pepper, finely diced
• 6 cherry tomatoes, quartered
• 1 small cucumber, diced
• 2 tbsp pomegranate seeds (optional)
• Microgreens or fresh dill, to garnish

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Instructions

1. Prepare Oven and Baking Tray: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking tray with parchment paper to prevent the pastry from sticking.
2. Cut Pastry Circles and Rings: Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured surface to about 1/8 inch thickness. Using a 2.4-inch round cutter, cut out 24 circles. Then, use a smaller 1-inch cutter to punch out the centers of each circle, creating ring shapes resembling wreaths.
3. Arrange and Egg Wash Pastry: Place the pastry rings on the prepared baking tray. Brush each ring lightly with the beaten egg to achieve a golden finish when baked.
4. Bake Pastry Shells: Bake the pastry rings in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until they turn golden brown and crisp. Remove from the oven and let them cool completely to ensure the filling does not melt.
5. Prepare Cheese Filling: In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, grated Gruyère or mature cheddar, finely chopped chives and parsley, lemon zest, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
6. Fill Tartlet Bases: Transfer the cheese mixture to a piping bag fitted with a star tip if available, and pipe a generous swirl onto each cooled pastry ring. This will create an attractive and even layer of cheese filling.
7. Decorate with Vegetables and Herbs: Top each tartlet with finely diced red and yellow bell peppers, quartered cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, and pomegranate seeds if using. Garnish with microgreens or fresh dill to mimic the look of a festive wreath.
8. Serve or Refrigerate: Serve the mini tart wreaths immediately for best texture, or refrigerate for up to 2 hours before serving to keep them fresh and visually appealing.

Notes

• For a crispier texture, use puff pastry over shortcrust pastry.
• The pomegranate seeds add a sweet tartness and a pop of color, but they are optional.
• Allow pastry to cool completely before adding filling to prevent melting.
• These tartlets are best served the same day but can be refrigerated up to 2 hours before serving.
• Feel free to experiment with different fresh herbs like basil or tarragon for varied flavor.
• Be careful not to overfill the pastry rings to avoid spilling during serving.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: European

Keywords: mini tart wreath, savory tartlets, puff pastry appetizers, cream cheese tartlets, holiday appetizer, fresh vegetable tartlets, easy party snacks