Easy Phyllo Pastry Tarts With Hot Pepper Jelly Recipes

EASY PHYLLO PASTRY TARTS WITH HOT PEPPER JELLY

Steps:

• 1. Take 2 sheets of pastry and cover the rest with a damp cloth to keep from drying out.
• 2. Brush a thin layer of butter on one sheet and stack the other sheet on top. Cut the stacked sheet in half length wise. You will now have two long rectangles.
• 3. (A pizza cutter works great for this) Brush one rectangle with butter and place the other one on top. You will then have a 7 x 11 pastry sheet with four layers.
• 4. Cut that into 12 equal squares. Press each square into a greased mini muffin tin.
• 5. Bake at 350 degrees until golden brown, about 10-15 minutes. Repeat with remaining sheets, remembering to keep unused sheets covered. Shells may be frozen at this point or filled and ready to serve.
• 6. To fill: Place 1/2- 1 teaspoon of cream cheese in the center of each tart. Top with 1/2 to 1 tsp of jelly. May be served as is or baked for 10 minutes and served warm.

PEPPER JELLY TARTS

Steps:

• Combine the cheese, butter, paprika, cayenne in a mixing bowl and beat until smooth.
• Add the flour, combining with a fork until it forms a nice ball of dough.
• Roll into small balls and place each into tart tin.
• You should get at least 30 tarts.
• Press each ball with fingers to shape tart shell bottom and sides.
• Spoon 1 teaspoon jelly into each mini tart.
• Bake 400 degrees for 10 minutes OR until golden.
• Cool in pans five minutes, then remove from pans to a wire cooling rack.
• Serve warm or at room temperature.
• Variations:.
• You can also put in a tiny cube of cream cheese than the hot pepper jelly.
• Or tiny pieces of Brie cheese rinds removed than top with the pepper jelly, another element of tang.
• We also have placed a tiny cube of cream cheese and placed in some raspberry seedles jam on top. ( the crust gives the heat and then the jam gives a touch of sweetness.).

PRIZE WINNING FESTIVE PHYLLO TARTS

Steps:

• For filling, beat cream cheese and Splenda until smooth.
• Add eggs, sour cream, and vanilla, and beat well. I usually prepare the filling in the food processor. Set aside.
• For crust, place 1 sheet of phyllo on a work surface (keep remainder covered with a damp tea towel to prevent drying out). Brush with melted margarine (or butter). Place a second sheet on top. Cut into 12 squares. Place 1 square in each greased muffin cup, leaving the corners of the square extending up into points. Repeat with remaining 2 sheets of phyllo, placing this next square on top of the phyllo lined muffin cups, but giving it a 1/4 turn, so the points fit between the existing ones (completed pastry should look like a tulip).
• Divide cheese mixture between tart shells. If using optional filling drop 1/2 TBSP of any topping except fresh fruit, in center of each tart.
• Bake at 375°F for 20 minutes, or until pastry is golden and filling is set.
• Cool in muffin tin on a rack until only warm, then remove from tin to rack to finish cooling.
• Store in the refrigerator.
• Garnish with fresh fruit (and a sprinkle of powdered sugar) if using that option.