Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love these Mini Strawberry Nutella Tarts because I get several delicious textures in every bite: crisp pastry, smooth Nutella, and fresh, juicy strawberries. The fruit also provides a refreshing contrast to the rich chocolate-hazelnut filling.
I especially like how easy they are to assemble. I can prepare the tart shells ahead of time and add the Nutella and strawberries shortly before serving. Since they’re individually portioned, I find them convenient for parties and dessert tables.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the tart shells:
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 to 2 tablespoons ice water
For the filling:
- 3/4 cup Nutella
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, optional
For the topping:
- 1 1/2 cups fresh strawberries
- 1 tablespoon strawberry or apricot preserves, optional
- 1 teaspoon warm water, optional
- Powdered sugar, optional
Directions
- I add the flour, powdered sugar, and salt to a food processor and pulse briefly to combine.
- I add the cold cubed butter and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with small pieces of butter remaining.
- I add the egg yolk and vanilla extract. I pulse again, adding the ice water a little at a time until the dough begins to come together.
- I shape the dough into a disk, wrap it, and refrigerate it for about 30 minutes. Chilling makes the pastry easier for me to handle and helps it maintain its shape while baking.
- I preheat my oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a mini muffin pan or small tart pans.
- I roll the chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to approximately 1/8 inch thick.
- I cut circles slightly larger than the muffin wells or tart molds and gently press each piece of dough into the pan.
- I prick the bottoms lightly with a fork and chill the shaped tart shells for another 10 minutes.
- I bake the tart shells for approximately 12 to 15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
- I let the shells cool in the pan for several minutes before carefully removing them. I transfer them to a wire rack and let them cool completely.
- Once the shells are cool, I spoon or pipe Nutella into each one.
- I wash and thoroughly dry the strawberries, remove the stems, and cut them into thin slices or small pieces.
- I arrange the strawberries over the Nutella filling.
- If I want a glossy finish, I stir the preserves with warm water and lightly brush the mixture over the strawberries.
- I serve the tarts immediately or refrigerate them briefly before serving. I add a light dusting of powdered sugar if desired.
Servings and Timing
This recipe makes approximately 18 Mini Strawberry Nutella Tarts.
- Prep time: 25 minutes
- Chilling time: 40 minutes
- Cook time: 12–15 minutes
- Cooling and assembly time: About 20 minutes
- Total time: About 1 hour 40 minutes
- Servings: Approximately 18 mini tarts
I can prepare the tart shells ahead of time to make serving easier. Once I add the strawberries, I prefer enjoying the tarts fairly soon so the pastry stays crisp.
Variations
For Strawberry Banana Nutella Tarts, I add thin banana slices alongside the strawberries. I especially like this combination when I want a sweeter, fruitier topping.
For Raspberry Nutella Tarts, I replace some or all of the strawberries with fresh raspberries. Their tart flavor pairs beautifully with the chocolate-hazelnut filling.
When I want extra crunch, I sprinkle finely chopped toasted hazelnuts over the Nutella before adding the strawberries.
For a chocolate pastry variation, I replace a small portion of the flour with unsweetened cocoa powder. This gives me an even richer chocolate flavor.
I can also add a thin layer of mascarpone or sweetened cream cheese beneath the Nutella when I want a creamier filling with a little tang.
Storage/Reheating
I think Mini Strawberry Nutella Tarts are best served on the day I assemble them because fresh strawberries gradually release moisture and can soften the pastry.
If I have leftovers, I store them in a single layer in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
I can make the empty tart shells ahead and store them in an airtight container at room temperature for about 2 to 3 days. I wait to add the Nutella and strawberries until closer to serving.
I don’t reheat assembled tarts because the fresh strawberries and Nutella are best served cool or at room temperature. If my refrigerated tarts are very cold, I let them sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes before serving.
FAQs
Can I make Mini Strawberry Nutella Tarts ahead of time?
Yes. I prefer baking the tart shells ahead and storing them separately. I then fill them with Nutella and add the strawberries shortly before serving so the shells stay crisp.
Can I use store-bought pastry dough?
Yes. When I need a shortcut, I can use refrigerated pie crust or another suitable sweet pastry dough. I cut it into small circles, fit them into my mini muffin pan, and bake until golden before adding the filling.
How do I keep the tart shells from getting soggy?
I make sure the tart shells are completely baked and cooled before adding the Nutella. The Nutella also creates a barrier between the pastry and juicy strawberries. I thoroughly dry my strawberries and add them as close to serving time as possible.
Can I use other fruit instead of strawberries?
Yes. I can use raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, bananas, peaches, or a combination of fruits. I prefer fruit that isn’t excessively juicy because it helps my pastry remain crisp.
Do Mini Strawberry Nutella Tarts need to be refrigerated?
Once I add fresh strawberries, I refrigerate the tarts if I’m not serving them shortly after assembly. I keep them covered and bring them closer to room temperature briefly before serving if desired.
Conclusion
Mini Strawberry Nutella Tarts are one of my favorite bite-sized desserts because they combine buttery pastry, creamy chocolate-hazelnut spread, and fresh fruit in a simple but elegant presentation. The strawberries brighten the rich Nutella filling, while the crisp shells give every bite a satisfying texture.
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