Mini Pumpkin Tarts
- Author: Erin Alderson
- Prep Time: 1 hour 30 mins
- Cook Time: 35 mins
- Total Time: 2 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
- Pie Crust:
- 3/4 cup whole wheat pastry flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1 oz cream cheese
- 2 tablespoons water, cold
- Filling:
- 1 "Pie Pumpkin"
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon cloves
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- For pumpkin puree, preheat oven to 400˚. Take pumpkin and carefully slice off the top and then split in half. Using a scoop (I use a grapefruit spoon) scoop out the seeds and string-like insides. Set aside if you would like to make pumpkin seeds. Place the pumpkin cut side down in 1/2" of water in a baking dish. Bake until soft, 35-45 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool slightly. Reduce oven to 375˚.
- While pumpkin is baking, make the crust. Combine the flour and salt into a bowl. Next, with either your hands or a pastry blender,cut in butter and cream cheese. Once butter and cream cheese are broken down to the size of peas, add water to the mix and stir/knead until the dough comes together. It's best to start with less water and gradually add more as you need. Adding too much water can ruin your pie crust. Turn crust out and gently need it into a disc. Wrap and plastic and place in refrigerator to chill until pumpkin puree is finished.
- Once pumpkins are done, scoop out the insides and place in a food processor. Pulse until mixture is smooth. Next, place in either a cheese cloth or strainer and press out all of the liquid. Set aside.
- To make tarts, roll out dough to about a 1/4" thickness and using an object that is slightly larger than your tart pans, cut out circles (I used a small pyrex container.) Press into tart pans and continue with remaining dough (I had enough for 6 mini tarts.) Place on a covered baking tray and set aside.
- For the filling, take 1 cup of the homemade pumpkin puree and whisk together with the maple syrup. Once blended well, whisk in cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves. Next, whisk in the egg until combined and finally, whisk in heavy cream until pie filling is smooth.
- Pour into prepared tart pans and place in oven. Bake at 375˚ for 30-35 minutes or until the mixture domes and the crust is beginning to brown. Remove and let cool slightly before serving.