With the Memorial Day long weekend and summer barbecuing season just around the corner, I knew it was time to come up with a quick and easy dessert that won't leave you chained to the stove while your guests are frolicking in the backyard and drinking your watermelon mojitos. "Quick and easy" are not the only redeeming characteristics of this puff pastry dessert. It also highlights the fresh flavors of lemon and berries. And they're so darn pretty that your friends will think you slaved for hours...and then they'll pour you a double mojito to reward your long and enduring effort. Not too shabby.
Simply cut six circles out of a puff pastry sheet and pop them in the oven. About 10 minutes later, the pastry circles will be light and flaky, with a golden brown sheen. Spoon some mascarpone cheese, lemon curd and milk into a bowl and whip them together until you have a light and creamy mixture to spread over the flaky circles. Top with some fresh berries, and these pretty desserts are ready to serve.
The puff pastry tart recipe:
The rest:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
On a lightly floured surface lightly roll out puff pastry. Using a 3 ¾-inch round biscuit cutter, or the rim of a glass or bowl, cut out 6 circles from the puff pastry. Lay the circles on the prepared baking sheet.
Lightly brush the tops of the puff pastry with egg.
Bake until puffed and light golden brown, about 10 minutes. As soon as the puff pastry is removed from the oven, lightly press it down with the back of a spatula so that the surface of each round is flat.
Lift the puff pastry pieces from the baking sheets and let cool on wire racks.
Lemon Mascarpone:
Into a medium bowl, combine the mascarpone cheese, lemon curd and milk.
Using a hand mixer, beat until the ingredients are combined and the mixture is smooth.
Assembly:
Spread a heaping tablespoon of the lemon mascarpone on each puff pastry round. Divide the berries evenly between the rounds.
Garnish with some lemon zest. Serve.
Other recipes for Memorial weekend:
Cookin' Canuck's Blueberry Swirl Ice Cream Pie with Hazelnut Crust
Cookin' Canuck's Blackberry & Strawberry Crisp with Gingersnap Crumble
Evil Shenanigans' Dark Chocolate Chip Pavlova with Strawberry Whipped Cream
She Wears Many Hats' Strawberry Tart
Two Peas and Their Pod's Mini Fruit Pizzas
Printable Recipe
Puff Pastry Tarts with Lemon Mascarpone & Fresh Berries
Ingredients
Lemon Mascarpone:
- 4 ounces mascarpone cheese room temperature
- 2 tablespoons milk
- ¼ cup lemon curd homemade or from a jar
The Rest:
- 1 sheet purchased puff pastry defrosted
- 1 egg whisked
- ½ cups sliced fresh strawberries
- ½ cup fresh blackberries
- lemon zest for garnish
Instructions
Lemon Mascarpone:
- Into a medium bowl, combine the mascarpone cheese, lemon curd and milk.
- Using a hand mixer, beat until the ingredients are combined and the mixture is smooth.
The Rest:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- On a lightly floured surface lightly roll out puff pastry. Using a 3¾-inch round biscuit cutter, or the rim of a glass or bowl, cut out 6 circles from the puff pastry. Lay the circles on the prepared baking sheet.
- Lightly brush the tops of the puff pastry with egg.
- Bake until puffed and light golden brown, about 10 minutes. As soon as the puff pastry is removed from the oven, lightly press it down with the back of a spatula so that the surface of each round is flat.
- Lift the puff pastry pieces from the baking sheets and let cool on wire racks.
Assembly:
- Spread a heaping tablespoon of the lemon mascarpone on each puff pastry round.
- Divide the berries evenly between the rounds.
- Garnish with some lemon zest. Serve.
Nutrition
Disclosure: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Barbara | Creative Culinary
My daughter said it when she was little and would offer this up today even thought she is grown. Yummers. I would say...what is there not to love; sound divine Dara!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thanks, Barb! This is definitely a dessert for all ages.
Jenny Flake
These are so beautiful Dara! I can picture eating them up with the family this summer/now 🙂 Yum!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thanks, Jenny. I have a feeling I'll be making these all summer long.
Maria
I just posted a similar dessert, we are on the same page:) Yay for summer berries!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
I know! I linked to your adorable fruit pizzas in my post. When I saw your post go up on Monday, I realized that we were both feeling inspired by springtime flavors.
Emilie @ Emilie's Enjoyables
so yum! I great flavor alternative to the typical "fruit pizzas"..love it!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thanks, Emilie. These got rave reviews from my whole family.
Ali @ Gimme Some Oven
These are beautiful! I just posted a little puff pastry dessert too -- so fun! 🙂
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thanks, Ali. Puff pastry is so easy to work with and versatile. It's great for last-minute desserts.
Maureen @ Orgasmic Chef
You are so kind! You must have known I had another jar of lemon curd sitting in the fridge and didn't want me to stand at the door and eat it with a spoon.
I love these little desserts!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Ha! Lemon curd does have that kind of addictive power, doesn't it?
Denise @ Creative Kitchen
Oh how I love lemon curd...and fresh berries! Mmm......
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thanks, Denise. Lemon curd and berries really are a match made in heaven.
Robyn Stone | Add a Pinch
These look amazing, Dara. I know they are! Perfect for Memorial Day!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thanks, Robyn. I think I'm going to make another batch of these on Memorial Day.
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar
These sound so tasty! Love these!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thanks, Katrina! My family adored these.
Kelley
I have some lemon curd that I wasn't sure how I wanted to use it. Thank you for the inspiration! These look light and perfect for summer!!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thank you, Kelley! I love the versatility of lemon curd. It's great for last-minute desserts.