The Story & Intro
Hi, I’m Marilyn, 38, from the beautiful island of Crete in Greece. When I was little, my grandmother and I would spend hours in the kitchen making strawberry shortcake from scratch. We’d laugh, bake, and sneak little bites of whipped cream when no one was watching.
Now, I love putting a creative twist on those childhood favorites and these Bite-Sized Strawberry Shortcake Tarts are one of my proudest creations. They take everything I adore about strawberry shortcake buttery crust, sweet cream, and juicy berries and transform it into elegant little tarts you can eat in two bites!
Each tart has a crisp, golden base filled with smooth vanilla cream and topped with fresh strawberries. They’re the perfect dessert for parties, brunches, baby showers, or a sweet afternoon treat.
What I love most about these Bite-Sized Strawberry Shortcake Tarts is how simple yet sophisticated they look. No fuss, no complicated steps just pure, beautiful flavor that tastes like sunshine in every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Tart Shells
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 tablespoons ice water
For the Cream Filling
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Strawberry Topping
- 1 cup diced fresh strawberries
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- Optional: fresh mint leaves for garnish
These ingredients make about 12–16 mini tarts depending on the size of your tart shells.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Make the Tart Shells
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a bowl, mix flour and powdered sugar. Cut in the cold butter until the mixture looks like fine crumbs. Add ice water one tablespoon at a time until a dough forms.
Roll out the dough and cut small circles using a cookie cutter. Press them into mini muffin tins or tart molds. Prick the bottoms with a fork and bake for 10–12 minutes until golden. Let cool completely before filling.
Step 2: Prepare the Cream Filling
In a large bowl, beat softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth. In a separate bowl, whip heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until light and fluffy.
Spoon or pipe the cream filling into each cooled tart shell.
Step 3: Make the Strawberry Topping
In a small bowl, combine diced strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice. Let sit for 10–15 minutes until syrupy and glistening. This will give your tarts a sweet, fresh topping that tastes like homemade jam without cooking!
Step 4: Assemble the Tarts
Spoon a small amount of the strawberry topping over each filled tart. Garnish with a mint leaf or a dollop of whipped cream if you like. Chill for 20 minutes before serving to let the flavors come together.
Serving Ideas
These Bite-Sized Strawberry Shortcake Tarts are as versatile as they are beautiful. Serve them on a dessert platter at your next brunch or arrange them on a tiered stand for a party centerpiece.
For a fun twist, drizzle melted white chocolate over the top or sprinkle with crushed shortbread cookies for a crumbly finish.
Pair these mini tarts with iced coffee, lemonade, or a sparkling rosé they’re light, fruity, and perfect for any occasion.
Conclusion
If you love desserts that are easy to make but look like they came from a bakery, these Bite-Sized Strawberry Shortcake Tarts will be your new favorite.
Each little tart delivers the perfect balance of buttery crust, creamy filling, and sweet strawberries. They’re simple, elegant, and bursting with flavor proof that good things truly come in small packages.
Whether you’re hosting guests or just treating yourself, these tarts will add a touch of sweetness and charm to your table. From my kitchen in Crete to yours may every bite remind you of sunshine, laughter, and love. 🌸🍓
Short 100-Word Story Version
Hi, I’m Marilyn from Crete! I’ve always loved making strawberry shortcake with my grandmother, but I wanted a mini, party-ready version. These Bite-Sized Strawberry Shortcake Tarts are buttery, creamy, and filled with fresh strawberries a sweet twist on a classic. They’re easy to make, fun to decorate, and perfect for sharing with family and friends. Whether for tea time or celebrations, these little tarts bring big joy to every bite. Simple, elegant, and made with love just how dessert should be. 🍓💕