16 March 2017

Mini Cranberry-Apple Tarts - In My Hurry-Up Puff Pastry


Mini Cranberry-Apple Tarts in Ruff Puff Pastry / www.delightfulrepast.com

I know it's easier to make one big tart, but I just have a "thing" about minis or individual tarts. These Mini Cranberry Apple Tarts can be made with any pastry, even store-bought frozen puff pastry, but I would encourage you to give my Hurry-Up Ruff Puff Pastry recipe a try.

These are meant to look a bit rustic, so you can free-form the tarts or, as I did with these, use crumpet rings. One always feels so clever to think of another way to use something that sees so little action as crumpet rings (Crumpets and English Muffins).

Just look at those flaky layers. And you can get them with less work and less fat than you think. It's so good, Mr Delightful has requested it for the next pie I make. With summer on its way, it will be Fruit Pie Season before we know it.

Summer fruit is the only thing I like about summer! Can't wait for the peaches, nectarines, plums, apricots, cherries, watermelon ... In the meantime, I'm having fun with apples and everything else that is in season now. 

What are your favorite fruits and fruit desserts?


Mini Cranberry-Apple Tarts in Ruff Puff Pastry / www.delightfulrepast.com
Don't forget to Pin it!

Mini Cranberry-Apple Tarts


(Makes 4)

The Filling

1 1/4 pounds (20 ounces/567 grams) Granny Smith apples
1 tablespoon (15 ml) fresh lemon juice
1/3 cup (2.33 ounces/66 grams) sugar
1 tablespoon (9 grams) flour
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Pinch salt
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup (2 fluid ounces/59 ml) water
2 tablespoons (1 ounce/28 grams) unsalted butter

The Pastry

1/2 recipe Ruff Puff pastry (freeze half for another day)
1 tablespoon milk
1 1/2 teaspoons sugar mixed with 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1 Peel, quarter and core apples. Cut each quarter into quarters lengthwise and into 1/4-inch-thick slices. You should have 3 cups. Put in a 2-quart saucepan. Stir in lemon juice to keep apples from turning brown.

2 In small bowl, stir together sugar, flour, cinnamon and salt. Stir in dried cranberries, separating any that are clumped together.

3 Pour dry mixture over apples in saucepan; stir to coat. Stir in water and butter. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly. Reduce heat and simmer until apples are starting to get tender and liquid is thickened and reduced, about 10 minutes (5 minutes covered, 5 minutes uncovered), stirring frequently. You should have about 2 1/2 cups. Set aside to cool; cover and refrigerate until ready to use.

4 Spray 4 crumpet rings with cooking spray and set them on a parchment-lined quarter sheet pan. If you don't have crumpet rings, you can just make free-form tarts.

5 Roll the puff pastry into a 14-inch (trimmed measurement) square. Cut the dough into four 7-inch circles, and fit the circles into the crumpet rings, leaving an overhang of dough. Put about a 1/2-cup portion of filling in the center of each.

Note: The pastry should be about 1/8-inch thick. You can cut out three and re-roll the scraps for the fourth; it will be every bit as good as the others.

6 Fold the overhanging pastry in toward the middle, leaving the center open. Brush with milk and sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar. Or do an egg wash, if you prefer, with an egg beaten with a tablespoon of water. Cover and refrigerate for 15 minutes while oven preheats to 425F/220C/Gas7. Or refrigerate for several hours and bake just before serving. 

7 Bake for about 20 to 25 minutes, or until golden brown. Let cool for at least 10 minutes before serving. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Mini Cranberry-Apple Tarts in Ruff Puff Pastry / www.delightfulrepast.com
Don't forget to Pin it!

65 comments:

Angie's Recipes said...

I too find that individual tartlets are prettier and easier for portion control. These little tarts look very beautiful and delicious, Jean.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Angie. Yes, portion control is important as well, since I like to keep track of my sugar intake.

Dee | GrammysGrid.com said...

Those look tasty! You are so talented :) Thank you Jean for sharing this post at Wednesday AIM Link Party at Grammy’s Grid. I shared it on social media. Hope you get lots of traffic!

ellen b said...

These rustic tarts look fabulous.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Grammy Dee! And thank you for sharing on your social media!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Ellen, thank you! I'm making another batch today as I have a friend coming for tea.

Thomas "Sully" Sullivan said...

Crumpet rings? Sounds like something Mr. tyrannosaurus Rex would use to propose to Ms. Tyrannosaurus rex. Hmmm. OK…I’m having a special today on “apple pie rings” that are sure to make Mr. Delightful ooh with admiration. Never mind that these rings say “Folgers Coffee” on the outside of the rim, they were forged by the little people in my native village of qwzqtselpulaezzqvmnwiiotslwjahjfdegerqey, Ireland, and passed down through billions of years of family generations. Or maybe not. In any case, my favorite fruit is ice cream.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Oh, Sully, you're too funny! Now I'll picture my crumpet rings on a T Rex every time I use them!

Daniela said...

I feel so charmed by your little lovely pies, they're surely delicious, honestly this wonderful blog of yours is such a precious source to me, you really feed my passion for cooking, my dearest Jean, thank you !

Wishing you a joyous day,
with sincere gratitude

XOXO Dany

MumMalarkey said...

Looks delicious!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Dany dear, thank you so much. And *your* wonderful blog feeds my passion for history! Can't wait to see what I learn next!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Suzie, thanks! I so appreciate Pins and SM shares of all kinds!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, MumM!

Anonymous said...

These look so tasty! I've been reading that the recent weather may have damaged peach and blueberry crops here in the south. I sure hope not!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Mildred, thank you. And I sure hope you'll be able to have some peaches and blueberries! I'll be making these tarts with peaches and blueberries just as soon as I can get my hands on some.

Margie said...

YUM! I'm a fan of any dessert combining fruit and chocolate together.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Margie. I don't get in the mood for chocolate very often, but I do like the combination of chocolate and orange.

At Rivercrest Cottage said...

They are almost to pretty and perfect to eat! I've pinned this one and can't wait to try it. Thanks.

TONY said...

Just love the combination of alliteration, assonance and rhyme with a touch of single vowel, punchy, presentation, here Jean. Oh and I like puff pastry. Its like eating a cloud!!!!!These sound delicious, Jean.

Unknown said...

These look so beautiful and have some of my favorite flavors! Delicious!

Marisa Franca @ Allourway said...

Lucky me! I do have English Muffin rings because we make English Muffins. Those tarts are adorable and to tell you the truth, I think making individual tarts look so special. Put them on a pretty plate. *sigh* Perfect. Thank you for the inspiration!! I wouldn't have thought of using my rings for this. Have a great weekend.

kitty@ Kitty's Kozy Kitchen said...

Oh Jean, mini desserts are marvelous little wonders, aren't they? Your little pies look so flaky and flavorful. I must try your pastry recipe soon. Happy St. Patrick's Day! 🍀

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Sugar, thank you. I hope you'll try them soon and let me know how they turned out for you.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Tony, thanks. I didn't know I was doing all that! :-) And "like eating a cloud" - wish I'd said that!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks so much, Cathy!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Marisa, thank you. And I'm glad to hear you have muffin rings! I love making English muffins (and crumpets), but haven't made any in a couple months.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Kitty, thanks. And the grands would have fun helping you assemble the tarts or turnovers!

Jeanie said...

Hi Jean, Happy St. Patrick's Day!

These look good -- if I didn't already have my Irish fudge and ice cream going for tonight I'd give them a shot today! After being on the road for a week, it's always good to get back in my own kitchen!

Have a wonderful week!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Jeanie! And you are so right about getting back in your own kitchen - I tire of eating out real quick!

Cocoa and Lavender said...

Your "hurry up puff pastry" is very similar to my recipe. You won't believe this, but yesterday I was talking to a friend about wanting a recipe for apple-cranberry pie. And here you are, Jean, fulfilling my every wish!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Aw, David, that's sweet! I've made it several times lately - just in a cranberry-apple mood.

Richard Sheppard said...

Oh yum. I'm saving this recipe for sure!

Karen @ Beatrice Euphemie said...

These look wonderful, Jean, with two of my favorite flavors together with pastry - what could be better? They would be the perfect dessert for a dinner of roast pork. Definitely pinning this. xx Karen

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Richard. I do think you're going to like it!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Karen, thank you. Ooh, yeah, dessert for a dinner of roast pork - wish I was having that tonight!

A Joyful Cottage said...

Jean, these look really yummy. My favorite fruit dessert is strawberry shortcake, followed by berry cobbler. Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving the nice comments. Happy weekend!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

AJC, thank you! And your two favorites are two of my own favorites as well.

Nickie and Jim said...

Hi Jean -- I don't own muffin rings, but I do have four nonstick petite tortilla bakers (black) ... I wonder if these would work for the tarts? They flare from bottom to fluted top. I love the recipe, so I think I'll try it using the bakers. I'll let you know, 'k?

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Nickie! Yes, I'm sure those will work. Let me know how it goes.

Annette, 3 Little Buttons said...

Oh my goodness! They look heavenly. I would love to try one right now. Amazing and now I am somehow starving. Thank you for sharing with the #DreamTeam xx

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Annette, thank you! Love the Dream Team!

AdriBarr said...

What a lovely dessert! I bet they are delicious. I love single serving desserts.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thank you, Adri! Single servings often look tidier, I think.

Anonymous said...

Jean, thank you for dropping by and saying hello on my blog. I would love to share a cup of tea and my tea cart too! Your little pie/tart looks so tempting! I would say that peach pie is my favorite.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Gina! Peach is my absolute favorite, too!

Tooting Mama said...

Anything with puff pastry I am there! These sound delish! #dreamteam

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

I so agree, TM!

Mary K. said...

Jean anything with apples makes me happy. I can't wait for fall to come around so I can go apple shopping at our local farmer's market. This recipe is perfect for apple and any other kinds of fruit. And the individual size makes them all the more enticing.

April J Harris said...

I love individual tartlets like this, Jean, and your pastry looks just beautiful. Cranberry and Apple make a lovely combination. Thank you for sharing with us at Hearth and Soul. Share on the Hearth and Soul Facebook page.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Mary, thank you. I feel the same way - I eat apples nearly every day of the year that domestic apples are available.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, April. I love making pastry, almost as much as I love making bread, maybe more!

Style & Life by Susana said...

This looks delicious! I ahve to try this for my mum as she would loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee this!

www.susanalopessnarey.com

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Susana! And do let me know how you and your mum liked it!

handmade by amalia said...

This looks like such a treat and I already have all the ingredients at home. I like everything with apples :-)
Amalia
xo

Anonymous said...

These look wonderful, Jean. We love apples and cranberries so I will be trying them soon!
Thank you,
Lily

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Amalia, thank you. I hope you like them as much as we do!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Dear Lily, soooo good to hear from you! Thank you, and do let me know how they turn out for you. Hope you're staying cozy!

Unknown said...

These look delish and I agree about the mini tarts thing! Can these be made as gluten free?? Thanks so much for linking this up to #DreamTeam! :)

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Nicola, thank you. I've not yet posted GF puff pastry, but here's a link to my gluten-free pastry recipe. http://www.delightfulrepast.com/2010/11/pumpkin-pie-with-gluten-free-pie-crust.html It would definitely work for mini tarts.

Lynda Hardy said...

Apples and cranberries - yum! These look delicious! I always think mini/individual portions of desserts make them a little more special. :) Thanks for sharing with Awesome Life Friday.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Lynda, thank you! And I agree, individual portions might take an extra few minutes, but they do seem a little more special.

The Reader's Tales said...

Wow!These individual tartlets are so pretty and look delicious.
I adore fruits but my favourite fruit tart is without a doubt Plum tart...

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thank you, TRT! Ohhhh, plum! Yes, as soon as plum season is here I'll be making these with plums.

Bernideen said...

Perfect for a fall tea party!!!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Bernideen. Yes, especially when made just a little smaller!