Description
Delightfully flaky and flavorful Goat Cheese and Fig Puff Pastry Tarts combine the sweetness of fig jam with the tangy creaminess of goat cheese, elevated by the depth of caramelized onions and fresh thyme. Perfect as an elegant appetizer or a sophisticated snack, these tarts are quick to prepare and bake to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Puff Pastry
- ½ batch puff pastry (homemade or store-bought)
Fillings
- 1 cup fig jam
- ½ cup caramelized onions, chopped
- 4 ounces goat cheese, cut into small pieces
- Fresh thyme sprigs for garnish
Egg Wash
- 1 egg, whisked with water or cream
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (205°C) to get it ready for baking the tarts.
- Prepare Puff Pastry: Roll out the puff pastry to about â…›-inch thick on a floured surface, then cut into circles approximately 2-3/4 inches in diameter using a circle cutter.
- Dock Pastry Circles: Use a smaller cutter or fork to prick the centers of the pastry circles to prevent them from puffing excessively during baking.
- Assemble Initial Layer: Place the pastry circles on a parchment-lined baking sheet, brush the tops with egg wash for a golden finish, and add about a teaspoon of the chopped caramelized onions to the center of each.
- Chill Pastry: Chill the assembled tarts briefly while you prepare the goat cheese and fig jam to ensure the pastry stays firm.
- Bake First Stage: Bake the pastry circles for approximately 12 minutes, until they have puffed up but are not yet golden brown.
- Add Toppings and Continue Baking: Remove the tarts from the oven, quickly spoon a teaspoon of fig jam and add pieces of goat cheese on each tart. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 5 to 8 minutes until the tops are golden brown and the cheese is slightly melted.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven, garnish each tart with fresh thyme sprigs, and serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- Use high-quality puff pastry for the best flaky texture; homemade or store-bought both work well.
- Caramelizing the onions beforehand adds a rich sweetness that balances the tangy goat cheese.
- Egg wash ensures a beautiful golden crust on the pastry.
- Serving these tarts warm enhances the flavors and the texture of the goat cheese.
- These tarts can be prepared ahead up to the first bake, then topped and baked just before serving.
