There’s something magical about mini jam tartlets, those buttery, bite-sized pastries with a sweet jam center that just melt in your mouth. I’ve been making these little gems for years, and they never fail to disappear at parties or tea gatherings. What I love most is how simple they are to whip up, yet they always impress. Whether it’s a lazy Sunday afternoon or a fancy brunch, these tartlets add a touch of homemade charm. My secret? A flaky, buttery crust that cradles just the right amount of jam, creating the perfect balance of sweet and tender in every bite.
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5-Ingredient Mini Jam Tartlets: Buttery Bliss Bites
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 tartlets 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Mini jam tartlets are delightful bite-sized pastries filled with your favorite jam. They are perfect for parties, tea time, or as a sweet treat anytime.
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour: for the tartlet base
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter: cold and cubed
- 2 tbsp sugar: to sweeten the dough
- 1 egg yolk: to bind the dough
- 1/4 cup jam: any flavor you prefer
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Mix flour, butter, and sugar in a bowl until crumbly.
- Add the egg yolk and knead into a smooth dough.
- Roll out the dough and cut into small circles to fit your tartlet molds.
- Press the dough into the molds and fill each with a teaspoon of jam.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown.
- Let cool before serving.
Notes
- Use cold butter for a flaky crust.
- You can use any jam flavor you like.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: International
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tartlet
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Why You’ll Love These Mini Jam Tartlets
Oh, where do I start with these little delights? First off, they’re ridiculously easy to make, even if you’re not a baking pro. Just a handful of ingredients and you’re golden! Plus, they’re super versatile. Got a jar of jam sitting in your fridge? Any flavor works, from classic strawberry to adventurous apricot or even tangy raspberry. They’re perfect for last-minute parties because they look fancy but take no time at all. And the best part? Kids and adults go crazy for them. Seriously, these tartlets are little bites of happiness!
Ingredients for Mini Jam Tartlets
Here’s what you’ll need to make these irresistible little treats. Trust me, keeping things simple is key here:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour: the foundation for our buttery crust
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter: cold and cubed (this is crucial for flakiness!)
- 2 tbsp sugar: just enough to lightly sweeten the dough
- 1 large egg yolk: binds everything together beautifully
- 1/4 cup jam: pick your favorite – I’m partial to raspberry myself
See? Just five basic ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen. That’s the beauty of this recipe! If you are looking for other simple baking ideas, check out some recipes over at familytastes.com.
Equipment You’ll Need
Don’t worry, you won’t need any fancy gadgets for these tartlets! Here’s what I always grab from my kitchen:
- Mixing bowl: for that perfect crumbly dough
- Rolling pin: to get the dough just the right thickness
- Tartlet molds: mini ones make the cutest bites
- Baking sheet: to keep everything stable in the oven
That’s it! See, I told you this was easy. Now let’s get baking!
How to Make Mini Jam Tartlets
Alright, let’s dive into the fun part! Making these tartlets is like a little baking adventure – simple, satisfying, and oh-so-rewarding when you pull those golden beauties out of the oven. Follow these steps, and you’ll have perfect tartlets every time.
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
First things first – that buttery dough! Grab your mixing bowl and toss in the flour, cold cubed butter (I can’t stress enough how important cold butter is for flakiness!), and sugar. Now, here’s my trick – use your fingertips to rub the butter into the flour until it looks like coarse breadcrumbs. You’ll know it’s right when it holds together when squeezed but still crumbles easily. Then, add that egg yolk and gently knead just until the dough comes together. Don’t overwork it – we want tender, not tough!
Step 2: Shape the Tartlets
Time to get creative! Roll out your dough to about 1/8-inch thickness – not too thin, or they’ll tear, not too thick, or they’ll be doughy. Use a cookie cutter or glass to cut out circles slightly larger than your molds. Gently press them in, making little pastry cups. Now for the jam – just a teaspoon per tartlet! Any more and it’ll bubble over (learned that the hard way). Leave a tiny border so the jam stays put. If you enjoy small baked goods, you might also like these mini fruit tarts.
Step 3: Bake to Perfection
Pop them in your preheated 350°F oven and prepare for the magic. In about 15-20 minutes, you’ll see the edges turn that perfect golden brown and smell the buttery goodness. Here’s my pro tip: let them cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a rack. They firm up beautifully, and the jam sets just right. Resist eating them immediately – that hot jam is sneaky!
Tips for Perfect Mini Jam Tartlets
Want foolproof tartlets every time? Here are my hard-earned secrets! First, if your dough feels sticky, chill it for 15 minutes – it makes rolling so much easier. Always use good quality jam (homemade is amazing if you have it!) because cheap stuff can be too runny. And here’s a game-changer: use a cookie scoop to portion your jam – no messy drips and perfectly even tartlets. Oh, and keep those tartlet sizes uniform so they bake evenly. Trust me, these little tweaks make all the difference! For more baking tips, check out how to use Sure-Jell.
Variations and Substitutions
Oh, the possibilities with these tartlets are endless! Swap out the jam for lemon curd if you love that bright, tangy zing – it’s my go-to for spring gatherings. Chocolate lovers? A tiny dollop of Nutella instead of jam creates magic. If you’re gluten-free, no worries – just use your favorite gluten-free flour blend (I’ve had great results with cup-for-cup mixes). The beauty of this recipe is how easily it adapts to whatever you’re craving or have on hand! If you prefer chocolate, try these mini Nutella tartlets.
Serving and Storing Mini Jam Tartlets
These little beauties are best served at room temperature – that’s when the buttery crust and jam filling really shine. For storage, just pop them in an airtight container at room temperature (no fridge – it makes the crust soggy!). They’ll stay fresh for up to 3 days… if they last that long! I always make extra because they disappear faster than you’d think.
Nutritional Information
Just a quick note about nutrition – these tartlets are treats, after all! The values are estimates and will vary based on your specific ingredients. Each little tartlet comes in around 120 calories, with that perfect balance of buttery crust and sweet jam filling.
FAQ About Mini Jam Tartlets
“Can I freeze these tartlets?” Absolutely! Just bake and cool them completely, then freeze in a single layer before transferring to an airtight container. They’ll keep for up to 3 months. No need to thaw – just pop them straight in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes to refresh.
“What’s the best jam flavor to use?” Honestly, any jam you love works! My personal favorites are raspberry (for that perfect tang) or apricot (so elegant). Thicker jams like blackberry hold their shape best, but even runny ones work if you just use a bit less.
“My dough is sticky – help!” Been there! Just chill it for 15-20 minutes – cold butter is your friend. If it’s still sticky, dust your hands and rolling pin lightly with flour. Remember: less handling = more tender crust!
Go on, give these mini jam filled cookies a whirl! I’d love to hear what jam flavors you try – drop your favorites in the comments below!