Apricot Goat Cheese Puff Pastry Tarts Recipe
These Apricot Goat Cheese Puff Pastry Tarts are a delightful appetizer or snack featuring flaky puff pastry topped with creamy goat cheese, sweet apricot jam, crunchy walnuts, and fresh thyme. Finished with a drizzle of hot honey, these tarts offer a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and spicy flavors that are sure to impress guests or elevate any gathering.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Total Time: 30-35 minutes
- Yield: 8-10 tarts 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Puff Pastry and Spread
- 1 sheet puff pastry dough
- 3–4 oz goat cheese, softened
- ⅓ cup apricot jam (or preferred flavor jam)
Toppings
- ¼ cup chopped walnuts
- 1 Tbsp fresh thyme leaves
- Hot honey, for drizzling
Optional
- Egg wash (1 egg whisked with 1 Tbsp water) for glossy edges
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it is hot and ready for baking the tarts evenly and to a perfect flaky texture.
- Prepare Puff Pastry: Roll out the sheet of puff pastry dough on a lightly floured surface. Cut the pastry into desired tart sizes (about 3×3 inches squares or circles).
- Score Edges: Lightly score a smaller square or circle inside each cut piece, about ½ inch from the edge, being careful not to cut all the way through. This helps create a raised border when baked.
- Apply Egg Wash (Optional): Brush the edges of the puff pastry pieces with the prepared egg wash to achieve a glossy, golden brown finish once baked.
- Add Goat Cheese and Jam: Spread a generous layer of softened goat cheese inside the scored border of each pastry piece, then dollop apricot jam on top of the goat cheese evenly.
- Add Toppings: Sprinkle chopped walnuts and fresh thyme leaves over the goat cheese and jam layer for added texture and flavor.
- Bake Tarts: Place the prepared tarts on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, until the pastry is puffed and golden brown.
- Drizzle with Hot Honey: Remove the tarts from the oven and immediately drizzle hot honey over each one to add a spicy-sweet finishing touch.
- Serve: Allow the tarts to cool slightly before serving warm or at room temperature as an appetizer or snack.
Notes
- Puff pastry can be found in the freezer section of most grocery stores; thaw according to package instructions before use.
- You can substitute apricot jam with other fruit jams like fig or raspberry for different flavor profiles.
- Use fresh thyme leaves rather than dried for a more vibrant herb flavor.
- For a milder sweetness, adjust the amount of hot honey drizzled on top.
- These tarts are best consumed the same day but can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
Keywords: apricot, goat cheese, puff pastry, tarts, appetizer, hot honey, walnuts, thyme, easy, party snacks