Blue Cheese Tartlets
Description: Delight in these elegant Blue Cheese Tartlets, the quintessential hors d’oeuvre that never fails to impress at family gatherings and holiday meals. Their savory, tangy filling nestled in buttery pastry makes them an irresistible treat. Whether served warm from the oven or allowed to cool to room temperature, these tartlets promise a burst of flavor with every bite.
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Recipe Category: Cheese
Keywords: Brunch, < 60 Mins
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of blue cheese, crumbled
- 6 large eggs
- 2/3 cup heavy cream
- 1/3 cup milk
- 1/4 cup grated cheese (such as cheddar or Gruyère)
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 package of pre-made pastry dough (or enough to roll out into a 12-inch circle)
Instructions:
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Preheat the Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). This ensures that the oven reaches the right temperature for a perfect bake.
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Prepare the Pastry Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out your pastry dough to a 12-inch circle. Use a 3-inch round cutter to cut out circles of dough. You should be able to get 12 rounds from the dough, but if you need to, rework the scraps to make the remaining rounds.
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Form the Tartlet Shells: Lightly grease the back of a 12-cup muffin pan. Carefully fit each dough round into the cups of the muffin pan, pressing lightly to ensure that the pastry forms a shell around the outside of each cup.
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Pre-Bake the Shells: Place the muffin pan in the preheated oven and bake the pastry shells for about 10 minutes, or until they start to turn golden. If the pastry puffs up during baking, gently press it down with the back of a spoon. Once done, remove the pan from the oven and let the pastry shells cool slightly. Reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C).
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Prepare the Filling: Remove the pastry shells from the muffin pan and place them upright on a cookie sheet. Place a small amount (about 1/2 teaspoon) of crumbled blue cheese into the bottom of each pastry shell.
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Mix the Custard: In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, heavy cream, milk, grated cheese, ground nutmeg, and salt until well combined.
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Fill the Tartlets: Carefully pour the egg mixture into each pastry shell, filling almost to the top. Be cautious not to overfill as the mixture will rise during baking.
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Bake the Tartlets: Place the filled tartlets in the oven and bake for approximately 15 minutes, or until the custard is set and the tops are lightly browned.
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Serve: Let the tartlets cool slightly before serving. They can be enjoyed warm or at room temperature, making them a versatile addition to any party or gathering.
Enjoy the savory delight of these Blue Cheese Tartlets at your next brunch or holiday celebration! 🍽️🧀🎉
