Fruit Tart

In honor of the wonderfully welcomed change in the weather, I decided to post something a bit more spring time appropriate this week. One of my absolute favorite things to make for parties or birthdays during the spring and summer months is a fruit tart. I just started making them about two years ago, but throughout that time I have come to find that this is by far the best. It is a normal tart crust, filled with an amazing white chocolate cream filling, and then topped with your fruit of choice. This dessert will stun even the most seasoned chef with its amazing look and even more amazing melt-in-your-mouth flavor!

WHITE CHOCOLATE FRUIT TARTS

CRUST:

3/4 c Butter

1 1/2 c Flour

1/2 c Powdered Sugar

FILLING:

1 pkg White Chocolate Chips, melted

1/4 c Heavy Whipping Cream

8 oz Cream Cheese

Assortment of Fruit for Decorating

GLAZE:

3 tbl Sugar

2 tsp Corn Starch

1/2 tsp Lemon Juice

1/2 c Pineapple Juice

1. In a small bowl, cream together the butter and powdered sugar until fluffy. Slowly add the flour and mix well. Press into the bottom of one large tart pan or many individual sized ones. Bake at 300 degrees for about 20 minutes or until golden brown. DO NOT OVERCOOK!

2. For the filling, mix the melted chips and cream in a small bowl. Add the cream cheese and beat until smooth. Spread over the crust up to the top. Use your assortment of fruit to decorate the tops in patterns and flavors you will enjoy.

3. For the glaze, combine the sugar and cornstarch in a small saucepan. Stir in lemon and pineapple juice until smooth. Bring to a boil over medium heat and stir until thick. Let it cool then brush over the top of the fruit.

If any of you ACTUALLY need something easy, fun, and very impressive, please give these a try. They always turn out great and are so much fun to decorate with friends or family. It is a great recipe to have on hand for summer BBQs or picnics. Don't be afraid to get crazy with the kinds of things you use to decorate them with. Since the filling is white chocolate based, it goes great with almost anything. Personally, I like to do them in individual tart pans because then it makes decorating them a group experience and also allows for more experimentation. Also, don't try to be calorie conscious and leave out the glaze. It is the key to making them look perfect and it will also help to preserve the fruit so it doesn't dry out. Have fun!