Watermelon Tartlets: A Sweet Summer Delight
These refreshing watermelon tartlets offer the perfect balance of a crisp, buttery shortcrust pastry and a smooth, flavorful watermelon filling. Each bite delivers a burst of sweet fruit, beautifully complemented by the tangy zest of lemon and the fragrant touch of mint. Ideal for a summer dessert, these tartlets are easy to prepare and perfect for sharing with friends and family. Let’s dive into how to make this wonderful treat!
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| All-purpose flour | 250g |
| Egg | 1 |
| Butter (cold) | 125g |
| Powdered sugar | 100g |
| Lemon zest | 1 lemon |
| Salt | Pinch |
| Watermelon (for filling) | 330g |
| Cornstarch (cornflour) | 20g |
| Lemon juice | 8g |
| Sugar (for filling) | 10g |
| Watermelon (for balls) | 200g |
| Fresh mint | To taste |
Preparation Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare the Shortcrust Pastry
- Start by preparing the shortcrust pastry. In a food processor, combine the all-purpose flour, cold butter, and a pinch of salt. Pulse several times until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs or coarse sand.
- Add the powdered sugar, egg, and lemon zest. Continue to pulse until the mixture forms a smooth dough.
- Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow it to rest and firm up.
Step 2: Prepare the Watermelon Filling
- While the pastry dough is chilling, prepare the watermelon filling. Take the watermelon slices and, using a melon baller, scoop out 200g of watermelon balls (make sure to scoop from the lower part of the slice, where there are fewer seeds). Set these aside for garnishing the tartlets later.
- For the filling, cut the remaining 330g of watermelon into small cubes. Remove any seeds if present.
- In a saucepan over medium-low heat, combine the chopped watermelon, cornstarch, sugar, and lemon juice. Stir continuously with a whisk to prevent clumps from forming. Continue to cook until the mixture thickens and becomes a smooth consistency.
- Once thickened, remove from heat and let it cool slightly. The mixture should still be warm when you transfer it to the tartlets.
Step 3: Assemble the Tartlets
- Preheat your oven to 180Β°C (350Β°F). Lightly flour your work surface and roll out the chilled dough until it’s about 2-3mm thick.
- Using a 7cm diameter round cutter, cut out the dough circles and place them into individual tartlet pans.
- Gently press the dough into the edges of the pans to form a crust. Trim off any excess dough from the edges. Use a fork to prick the bottom of the crust to prevent bubbling during baking.
- Line each tartlet shell with a small piece of parchment paper and fill with ceramic baking weights or dried beans to weigh them down.
- Bake the tartlets in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges turn golden brown.
- Remove the tartlets from the oven and carefully lift out the parchment paper and weights.
Step 4: Fill and Set
- While the tartlet shells are cooling, give the watermelon filling a final stir. It should be warm, not hot, when you spoon it into the tartlet shells.
- Spoon the cooled watermelon filling into each tartlet shell, filling them almost to the top.
- Refrigerate the filled tartlets for at least 1 hour, allowing the filling to set.
Step 5: Garnish and Serve
- Once the tartlets have chilled and set, carefully remove them from the tartlet pans.
- Garnish each tartlet with the reserved watermelon balls and a few fresh mint leaves for a burst of color and freshness.
- Your watermelon tartlets are now ready to be served. Enjoy the light, sweet, and fruity flavors!
Tips for the Perfect Watermelon Tartlets:
- For a more intense watermelon flavor, feel free to add a few drops of watermelon extract to the filling.
- If you’re short on time, you can use store-bought shortcrust pastry, but homemade will always give a superior texture.
- The tartlets can be prepared in advance. Just store the filled tartlets in the fridge until ready to serve.
- Experiment with other fruits like strawberries or peaches for a variation of this tartlet recipe.
These watermelon tartlets are the perfect summer dessert thatβs as pleasing to the eye as it is to the palate. The delicate sweetness of watermelon paired with the buttery crunch of the shortcrust pastry makes for an unforgettable treat.
