Recipe: Strawberry Shortcake Mascarpone Tarts

Don’t be fooled. This is not a healthy recipe. Although it has no added sugar, it is very rich and indulgent, thanks to the butter, creamy cheese and refined flour! However, I find that because they aren’t overly ‘sweet’, one is enough to satisfy. My husband disagrees.

I had planned to share this recipe a few weeks ago – to the point where I had made my ‘final’ batch one Sunday afternoon, after a series of test-batches over many weeks, in order to take some photos before we ate them for afternoon tea, pop them on here and publish the post that evening. Unfortunately I had a DREADFUL photo-shoot. Just as I was putting the final touches on the tarts, a dark, dismal storm suddenly appeared over my house, and took all the nice daylight with it. I tried to take some photos anyway, but they were blurry and hideous. It could not be done. I also had three hungry males impatiently waiting for their afternoon tea, so I gave up, feeling pretty sorry for myself (first world problems, hey!?). I shouldn’t complain really – eating strawberry tarts while having a cup of tea on a stormy Sunday afternoon at home is a pretty good situation to be in!

Naturally, the sun came out again as I took my last bite.

But no matter, here we are! Just in time for the end of season strawberries – though feel free to use your favourite fruit – peaches, nectarines, raspberries and sliced banana would be delicious too. Continue reading →