Valentine’s Special: Mini Blueberry Coconut Custard Tartlets
Blueberries add so much more than just a spark of colour to a dish. This superfood provides numerous benefits for the health-conscious; it is sweet and luscious for those who are more flavour-oriented and provides myriad culinary possibilities to the innovative cook. That is why I have chosen these small-in-size but big-in-flavour berries for my Valentine’s Month special dessert. As for my choice of dessert, it has mostly to do with my affinity for tarts which I feel are the cutest and tastiest treats in the world! And, given the fact that I travel as much as I do and that I have enjoyed a wide spectrum of cuisines, tarts have somehow found a permanent place in my heart {yes, really!}. These mini blueberry and coconut custard tartlets are absolutely perfect for a romantic celebration. And the best part ~ these tarts are truly an easy to prepare mini dessert!
Additionally, these delicious mini-tarts are dairy & egg-free. The secret lies in the prudent use of coconut milk thickened with corn-starch, which makes a richly decadent custard filling, replacing any need for eggs.
This recipe makes 24 mini custard tarts.
Crust:
Whole Wheat Flour ~ 1 ½ cup
Vegetable Oil ~ ¼ cup
Dark Brown Sugar ~ 3 tbsp
Honey ~ 3 tbsp
A pinch of Ground Cinnamon
A pinch of Salt
Filling:
Coconut Milk ~ One 400 ml tin
Vanilla Bean or Vanilla paste ~ 1 bean or I tbsp of the paste
Sugar ~ ½ cup
Corn-starch ~ 4 tbsp
Fresh Blueberries {for garnish} ~ 1 ½ cup
Preparation:
- Start by preheating the oven to 175°C. Lightly grease a 24-cup mini-muffin pan and set it aside.
- Put the flour, cinnamon, honey, sugar, salt, and oil {for the crust} in a bowl and mix till it reaches a rough crumbly texture. Then place this mixture in the pan you have prepared {since the mixture has a crumbly texture, you may need to press it into the cups to give it the shape of a tart’s crust} and bake for ten minutes.
- Once they are out of the oven, let them cool while you prepare the filling.
- Heat a sauce-pot and pour the coconut milk into the pot. Scrape in the seeds of the vanilla bean {if you are using a vanilla paste, then stir in the paste}. Add the sugar and corn-starch, and whisk till the two ingredients completely dissolve into the milk without leaving any lumps.
- Turn the flame to medium and continue to whisk the mixture till it gradually comes to a simmer and thickens. It should take about 6 minutes for the mixture to achieve the desired texture of custard.
- Transfer the custard to a bowl and cover the bowl with a plastic wrap. Allow it to cool to room temperature.
- Once the custard has cooled, spoon the coconut filling into the mini tart shells and top each of them with three fresh blueberries.
Remember to chill the tart shells in the pan for at least two hours before popping them out to serve. This will ensure they do not lose their shape or break when you take them out.
These delightful little bites take advantage of the fresh berries coming back into season, and they beautifully complement the smooth coconut cream and the deliciously crumbly-crumbly crust, transforming a simple dessert into a decadent treat!
Wishing Everyone a Happy Valentine’s Month!
Oh my, that looks delicious! Love the recipe and all the photos, Tanya! One of my very favourite ways to use blueberries is to combine them with lemons and make a curd ~ a smooth, sweet, tart and berry-flavoured treat that’s brilliant on toast, but also can be made to set enough to fill a tart shell. 🙂
That sounds beautiful, and I bet they taste light and sweet!
Love the subtle colour of these tartlets that just stands out against that red background! Always amazing recipes coming out of your kitchen and virtual cookbook! Can’t wait to try this one. ❤️
Thank you, Marina! You’re always kind and affectionate.
Amazing texture and grain… it makes the colour of the blueberries pop against it! I have always loved your photography and styling, and I love this recipe! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you very much for your affectionate thoughts, Harshita.
Wow, that is just about the prettiest thing I’ve seen in a long time! Also, I am seriously in love with every single photo you’ve taken here, and you’re writing style is amazing! ✨ You never cease to amaze me, Tanya!
So glad to be connected to you on here and thankful for our friendship, Adity!
This is amazing & very unique… If I could have a love affair with that tart, I would! 😀 At home, I use a quick recipe that includes a crust flavoured with almonds and rosemary, which complements the fruit filling perfectly! Shall share the recipe with you shortly…
Oh ~ thank you so much , Vijetha!
Anything Valentines is always so dreamy… great share! I shall now take a break for an afternoon with a steaming cup of coffee topped with whipped cream & salted caramel, and delicious Blueberry Tartlets!
Aw ~ that’s such a heart warming and beautiful comment. Thank you, Gargi!
This looks very delicious… Coconut Custard + berries = complete happiness. I’ll take the lot, please! ❤️❤️❤️
Thank you very much for such sweet words, Apoorva.
Ohhh ~ this looks delicious! Today I am definitely in the mood for fruity Tartelettes with crème pâtissière and summer fruits!! ✨ Will try this out; thank you so much for sharing!
It is such a pleasure to see your comment, Aashna. Hope you are doing great!
Love this moody shot of tartlets with coconut blueberry filling… Now I’m in the mood for some delicious, freshly baked treats! Oh, and the photography, of course, I absolutely love it! ❤️
Thank you for your affectionate thoughts, Hamel!
Nothing says spring is arriving like a fresh Berry-licious Tartlet! It may or may not be appropriate to eat for breakfast, but at this point who cares! 😀 The version I love whipping up at home uses fresh blueberries on pâte sucrée shells filled with lemon curd whipped cream and dusted with icing sugar!
Yummm Meee! 😀
Wow ~ this seriously looks so amazing! Now that I have your beautiful blueberry filling recipe down, what am I going to do with it?! I shall make handcrafted blueberry tartlets – paired with either shortbread or gluten-free pie crust. ❤️ Thank you so much for sharing!
You are very welcome, my friend. Have a blast making it!
Packed full of fruity fragrant blueberries and it’s almost a health food (haha) served even in tartlet form! I would honestly cram a lot more on there than you have, and make it closer to a pudding… ‘cuz I’m highly allergic to small portions of any kind! 😀
Haha! You’re the best ever, Janae!
That’s a beauuuuuuutiful mouth watering treat! ✨ It’s the birthday of not just one but two people in the office today! Not sure my birthday baking is going to be this cute though… ❤️
Aww ~ you’re so sweet, Meghana. Thank you so much!
Mmmmmh ❤️ I love Tartlets and I love Blueberry! Optimal combo… And cheat days are the best days!! Of course, one of my favourite relaxing moments is cooking, so now I’m happy!
Always a delight to have your appreciation, Nikita.
This is such a delicious, easy yet impressive dessert! Delicious because these tartlets seem light and showcase the freshness of the berries; easy because the recipe allows for it to be made quickly, and impressive because they’re not your usual Blueberry Tarts! Thanks for sharing gorgeous! ❤️
Thank you, Prachi. Love your affectionate thoughts!
Wow… perfect for an afternoon break! Especially since “Good food is the sweetest when shared with your loved ones”. 🙂
By the way, what are your favourite berries? Mine are Blackberries, no wait! Strawberries! No… Blueberries. Darn it! I don’t know! I like them all! 😀
Aw ~ you’ve made my day, Swagata. Thanks so much!
Yes, please! I love anything blueberry! 🙂
On that note, these blueberry tartlets are gorgeous and so beautifully photographed! They look like the perfect summer dessert! You are talented, girl!!
Thanks so much, Rashmi. And yes, these definitely are the perfect dessert!
Almost too beautiful to eat. Almost. 😀
I’m so glad you’re leading with dessert today – because how could you not?! On that note, I’d have these perfectly warmed up with a scoop of vanilla ice cream…
Thank you, Padmaj. I’m so glad to hear this!
Wow. Drool-worthy.
Your dreamy blueberry tartlets have me pining for summer! On a side note, I’m going to wait for the day you come out with your own cookbook or business. Either is fine!
Thank you, Tasneem! You are way too sweet!
Another day, another #tart (let).
Rich and buttery shortcrust pastry with a filling of sweet #blueberry and dollop of #creamcheese frosting to balance… The drool can’t wait! 😀
Definitely hear you on that one, Manasa!
Omg, I can eat this right now… My tummy would love that! ❤️
Thank you so much for this yummy recipe; I have no doubt that these tartlets will disappear quickly when had with some good coffee & great company!
You are just the best, Nisha! Thank you.
Oooh – this looks so good! You’re so creative, Tanya! ❤️
I so love butter tarts, pecan tarts, blueberry tarts and strawberry tarts… I may soon have to dig out my maternity clothes! Haha!!
Thank you so much for joining in and sharing your lovely thoughts, Shreya.
Sounds like a yummy dessert! Would love to surprise my loved ones with these homemade tarts made with love… Thank you for sharing. ✨✨✨
Thank you for your appreciation, Simran.
When you’re feeling blue… eat blueberries!
These tarts look so delicious, Tanya! This is an Ultimate Dessert for someone who loves blueberries and loves tarts like me! Thank you for sharing. xx
Thank you very much, Renuka. Your words encourage me a lot!
Beautiful capture and gorgeous tarts! ❤️
Tanya, your desserts always turn out to be like biting into sweet snow clouds, that one is so tempted to finish a whole box/dish at one seating!⠀
Thanks so much sweet soul! Means a lot that you like them.
Life always tastes better with tarts! And, these tarts look absolutely delicious and flavourful… Just the flavour and texture of ingredients mixed together like that hits the taste buds differently! 🙂
Thank you for your sweet words, Vipul.
These tarts look quite divine! Loving the delicious recipe you have for us… And, the tiny size is adorable! I’m looking forward to bringing these perfectly portioned treats to brunch, showers, or having them just because… ❤️
I’m overjoyed at your sweet words, Prarthana. Thank you very much!