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Mini Peach and Cream Cheese Tarts – Easy Homemade Treat

Mini Peach and Cream Cheese Tarts feature flaky pastry filled with fresh peaches and creamy cheese.
Each tart is topped with cinnamon-spiced honey and baked until golden brown.
This homemade peach dessert makes four individual tarts in approximately 70 minutes, including chilling.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American-inspired

Ingredients
  

Tart Dough

  • - ¾ cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • - 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
  • - ¼ teaspoon salt
  • - 4 tablespoons cold unsalted butter cubed
  • - 3–4 tablespoons ice water as needed
  • - ¼ teaspoon white distilled vinegar
  • - 1 tablespoon heavy whipping cream
  • - Cinnamon sugar for sprinkling

Peach Tart Filling

  • - 1 fresh peach thinly sliced
  • - 3–4 ounces cream cheese at room temperature

Honey Drizzle

  • - 2 tablespoons honey
  • - 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
  • - ⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • - ⅛ teaspoon ground ginger

Instructions
 

  • Step 1: Combine the dry ingredients
  • In a medium mixing bowl, add the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, and salt. Stir everything together until the ingredients are evenly combined.
  • Step 2: Cut in the cold butter
  • Add the cold, cubed butter to the flour mixture. Using a pastry cutter or your fingertips, gently work the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with small, pea-sized butter pieces remaining.
  • These small butter pieces help create the flaky layers in the finished pastry.
  • Step 3: Add the ice water and vinegar
  • In a small bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of ice water with the white distilled vinegar.
  • Gradually pour the liquid into the flour mixture, stirring gently with a fork until a rough dough begins to form.
  • If the dough seems too dry, add more ice water, one teaspoon at a time, until it holds together when pressed.
  • Step 4: Chill the pastry dough
  • Gather the dough into a disc and wrap it tightly in plastic wrap.
  • Place it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. Chilling helps the butter remain firm and prevents the pastry from becoming too soft during rolling.
  • Step 5: Prepare the fresh peaches
  • Wash the peach thoroughly and slice it into thin, even pieces.
  • Keeping the slices approximately the same thickness helps them bake evenly and creates a more attractive arrangement on the tarts.
  • Step 6: Prepare the cream cheese
  • Cut the room-temperature cream cheese into 8 thin portions.
  • Set the pieces aside while preparing the remaining ingredients.
  • Step 7: Make the cinnamon honey drizzle
  • In a small mixing bowl, combine the honey, fresh lemon juice, ground cinnamon, and ground ginger.
  • Whisk until the mixture is smooth and the spices are evenly distributed.
  • Step 8: Preheat the oven
  • Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
  • Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent the pastries from sticking.
  • Step 9: Roll and fold the pastry
  • Lightly dust a clean work surface with flour.
  • Remove the chilled dough from the refrigerator and roll it into a rectangle.
  • Fold the dough into thirds, similar to folding a business letter.
  • Roll it out again and repeat the folding process once more. This technique helps develop delicate, flaky pastry layers.
  • Step 10: Cut the pastry into squares
  • Roll the folded dough into a 9 × 9-inch square.
  • Using a sharp knife or pastry cutter, divide the dough into 4 equal squares.
  • Step 11: Shape the tart borders
  • Arrange the pastry squares on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between them.
  • Fold each edge upward approximately ¼ inch to form a small border that helps hold the filling in place.
  • Step 12: Add the cream cheese filling
  • Place two portions of cream cheese in the center of each pastry square.
  • Keep the filling inside the folded borders so it doesn't spread over the edges while baking.
  • Step 13: Add the honey and peaches
  • Drizzle a small amount of the prepared honey mixture over the cream cheese.
  • Arrange the fresh peach slices on top, overlapping them slightly to create a beautiful layered appearance.
  • Step 14: Brush and sprinkle
  • Using a pastry brush, lightly coat the pastry edges with heavy whipping cream.
  • Sprinkle cinnamon sugar over the peaches and pastry borders.
  • Drizzle a little additional honey mixture over the filling, reserving the rest for serving.
  • Step 15: Bake the tarts
  • Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven.
  • Bake the Mini Peach and Cream Cheese Tarts for 18–22 minutes, or until the pastry becomes golden brown, the edges look crisp, and the peach slices are tender.
  • Step 16: Cool and serve
  • Remove the baking sheet from the oven and carefully transfer the tarts to a wire cooling rack.
  • Allow them to cool slightly before serving.
  • Finish with an extra drizzle of honey if desired, and enjoy while the pastry is still slightly warm.

Notes

  • Fresh peaches work best: Their natural sweetness and firm texture make them ideal for baking into individual pastries.
  • Alternative fruits: Nectarines, apricots, plums, and thinly sliced apples can replace peaches.
  • Cream cheese options: Full-fat cream cheese gives the richest filling, while thick, well-drained ricotta can be used for a lighter variation.
  • Extra sweetness: Sprinkle a little brown sugar over the peaches before baking for a slightly caramelized flavor.
  • Additional flavor: A small amount of lemon zest can brighten the filling without overpowering the peaches.
  • Make-ahead pastry: Prepare the dough up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate it tightly wrapped.
  • Serving suggestions: Pair these tarts with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or a spoonful of plain Greek yogurt.
  • Halal-friendly ingredients: Check packaged pastry, cream cheese, and other dairy ingredients for any non-halal additives.