Scotch Tea Tarts
Scotch Tea Tarts are delightful miniature desserts featuring a buttery crust filled with a rich, caramel-like brown sugar custard. Topped with chopped pecans, these tarts offer a perfect balance of sweetness and crunch, making them an ideal treat for tea parties, gatherings, or a sweet indulgence anytime.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Mix butter, flour, and cream cheese; chill for 30 minutes.
- Place a rounded teaspoonful of dough in each tart cup.
- Press dough to bottom and sides with thumb.
- Sprinkle each cup with chopped pecans.
- Mix brown sugar, eggs, melted butter, salt, and vanilla together.
- Spoon the mixture into the tart cups over the pecans.
- Bake at 325°F for 25 to 30 minutes.
Tips & Substitutions
For a flakier crust, consider using a food processor to combine the butter, flour, and cream cheese. You can substitute half of the butter with coconut oil for a unique flavor twist. Chilling the dough is essential for easier handling, so don't skip that step. If you want to enhance the tartness, a touch of lemon zest in the filling can brighten the flavor.
Serving Suggestions
These tarts are delightful served warm or at room temperature. They pair beautifully with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert. For a more substantial offering, consider serving them alongside a cup of tea or coffee. They also make a charming addition to a dessert platter with other sweet treats like Macaroon Kiss Cookies.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover Scotch Tea Tarts in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. To reheat, place them in a preheated oven at 300°F for about 10 minutes to restore their crispness. Avoid microwaving, as this can make the crust soggy.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Scotch Tea Tarts contains roughly 505 calories, with 5g protein, 59g carbohydrates, and 25g fat. It is a good source of dietary fiber (10% of the Daily Value). It also contributes 3g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different type of nut in the recipe?
Yes, you can substitute pecans with walnuts or almonds if preferred. Just chop them finely and sprinkle them into the tart cups as you would with pecans. This minor change will give the tarts a different flavor and texture, making them uniquely yours.
What if I don't have tart cups?
If you don’t have tart cups, you can use a muffin tin lined with paper liners or just greased directly. The baking time may vary slightly, so keep an eye on them to ensure they don't overbake. Alternatively, you can press the dough into a single tart pan for a larger tart.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough a day in advance and keep it wrapped in plastic wrap in the refrigerator. This allows the flavors to meld and makes the dough easier to work with when you're ready to bake. Just let it soften slightly at room temperature before rolling it out.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).