Tropical Passion Fruit Tartlets

Passion fruit tartlets on a serving board.

When you want a wow-zer of a dessert, I recommend these tropical passion fruit tartlets. The hypnotic passion fruit curd sets off the pleasure centers in the brain and the tender shortbread crust is so flaky and delicious, it’s impossible to resist.

Ok, I’ll admit it.  I had several spoonfuls of that passion fruit curd before I was overcome by guilt/shame that motivated me enough to “do” something with it.  Since my grandmother’s birthday was coming up and we had a family dinner on the calendar to celebrate, I made these tropical passion fruit tartlets for the occasion.

Tropical Passion Fruit Tartlets | Garlic + Zest
Tropical Passion Fruit Tartlets

Oh.  My.  Gawd!  It was like a swarm of vultures were hovering over fresh road kill.  That is not an exaggeration.  Picture it:  There were twelve of us for a sit down birthday dinner that night.  We had gone through drinks and hors d’oeuvres, starters, a substantial main course, cheese and bread and winea lot of wine.  There was still birthday cake to come.

Tropical Passion Fruit Tartlets | Garlic + Zest

My tarts were chilling in the refrigerator and was beginning to doubt that we’d need them because there had been so much food, I pulled them out anyway and started to arrange them on a platter.  

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Tropical Passion Fruit Tartlets | Garlic + Zest

Everyone was busy bringing the dirty dishes into the kitchen, loading the dishwasher and putting out dessert plates for cake.

Tropical Passion Fruit Tartlets | Garlic + Zest

Spying my tray of tarts in the kitchen naturally garnered some interest.   Then it happened.  Someone swiped one.  And the squeals of delight couldn’t be contained.  

Now, I am not patting myself on the back or boasting unnecessarily here.  I can’t describe the frenzy that ensued…  

My aunt, who is very particular about her diet, kept coming to the platter for another tart.

Tropical Passion Fruit Tartlets | Garlic + Zest

My cousin was swooning.  My Mom moaned.  Dad’s eyes bugged out!   They are THAT GOOD!  Like the dessert version of crack cocaine!

Tropical Passion Fruit Tartlets | Garlic + Zest

The punch from the passion fruit curd is so intense — sweet, tart and distinctive, that it’s just impossible to ignore.  Or resist.  

Of course the crumbly shortbread shells don’t hurt either.  I embellished mine with a few slices of kiwi and some fresh passionfruit seeds,  but it’s not necessary.  One bite and you will be completely smitten.

Tropical Passion Fruit Tartlets | Garlic + Zest

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Tropical Passion Fruit Tartlets | Garlic + Zest

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Tropical Passion Fruit Tartlets | Garlic + Zest

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Tropical Passion Fruit Tartlets | Garlic + Zest
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4.67 from 9 votes

Tropical Passion Fruit Tartlets

With a rich buttery shortbread crust and an impossibly addictive passion fruit curd, your guests will be swooning over these little tarts!
Author: Lisa Lotts
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword curd, passion fruit, tart
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 18 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings 12

SPECIAL EQUIPMENT:

INGREDIENTS:

For Shortbread Tart Shells

  • 1 cup butter at room temperature
  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon vanilla powder or 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • one recipe Passion Fruit Curd
  • kiwi raspberry, strawberry, blueberry or other fruit for garnish
  • mint leaves for garnish

DIRECTIONS:

  • Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Spray a mini muffin tin with vegetable spray and set aside.
  • In a small bowl, mix together the flour and salt. (if you have vanilla powder, mix it into the dry ingredients. If you’re using vanilla extract, add it with the sugar and butter mixture) Set aside.
  • Add the butter to a large mixing bowl and beat on medium speed with electric mixer to a creamy consistency. Add the powdered sugar and beat for 1-2 minutes until pale yellow and fluffy. (If using vanilla extract, add it here.)
  • Add the flour to the butter mixture and beat on low speed until incorporated, scraping down sides of bowl as necessary.
  • Scoop 1 level tablespoon of dough into each muffin tin. Use floured dough tamper, to tamp the dough into the muffin tin to form little shells. Refrigerate for 10-15 minutes until chilled.
  • Bake for 10 minutes remove from oven and use your dough tamper again, to press the puffed dough down into the shell. Bake another 5-8 minutes until golden brown. Allow the shortbread shells to cool in the pan. Carefully slide a very thin knife between the tart and the pan and remove the shortbread crusts. (Shortbread is naturally crumbly, so don’t worry if a little cookie falls away (I call these chef’s tastes). Cool to room temperature on a wire rack.
  • When shells are at room temperature, pipe or spoon curd into the shortbread shells. Top with a piece of kiwi, or other fruit and mint leaves for garnish. Cover loosely with plastic wrap until ready to serve. Best if served the same day.

NOTES:

For quicker tart shells – use a ready made pie crust cut into rounds with a biscuit cutter and tamp them into place with your tamper.

NUTRITION:

Calories: 230kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 40mg | Sodium: 280mg | Potassium: 26mg | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 470IU | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 1mg

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39 Comments

  1. I just made the passionfruit curd and it’s chilling in the fridge. I can’t wait to try it! Would this recipe work if I wanted to make the tart shells in a regular sized muffin tin, rather than in a mini one? Thanks!

  2. Darlene Ungard says:

    5 stars
    I made these for my daughter’s bridal shower yesterday having made the curd earlier in the week. An explosion of flavor in every bite! So much fun to see the joy as guests savored the tart perfumed sweetness of the curd and buttery shortbread crust. Definitely worth the effort and blessed to have the good fortune to be given the passion fruits. Scrumptious!!

  3. I am making these again for a friend. Thought I’d mention that I am adding Merengue to top it off… I think they will be fantastic!

    1. Oh, that sounds amazing! Hope she loves them!

  4. 5 stars
    Wow! My first go at a tartlette and what a great recipe! Got some fresh passionfruit from friend… made the curd… made the shortbread shells and boy, I can’t wait to serve them for dessert tonight. They. Are. Exquisite!!

  5. Tastes wonderful! But this first my curd is runny 🙁 Do you know of any way to thicken it up after the fact?

    1. Refrigerate the curd. It thickens as it chills.

  6. Is the Tart shell recipe for a 24 cup mini muffin pan? Had these at a company party and were to die for! Excited to try this out myself!

    1. Yes, I use a 24 cup mini muffin pan — and yes, these are incredible. They’ve been requested for our Thanksgiving holiday this year.

  7. I can’t get the link for the passion fruit filling to open!? Help’

  8. 5 stars
    Do you think I could make sweet or savory pies using a mini muffin pan? ?

    1. Absolutely… I’ve got both on this website! Mushroom tartlets, lemon tartlets…

  9. These are too stinkin’ cute. And even more importantly, the look so insanely fresh and delicious. Definitely need to try!

    1. Thank you, Karly! My taste testers devoured them.

  10. Debería estar en español la receta también

  11. Bella Bucchiotti (xoxoBella) says:

    What a great change from lemon! I would love to have a taste of these.

    1. I like lemon, too — hmm, back to the kitchen…

  12. Linda Nortje says:

    Looks amazing and I love passion fruit, but have never tried passion fruit curd ! About time to start !

    1. Don’t delay, Linda! You want these in your life!

  13. Love little sweet bites like these tarts! And the tart passionfruit flavour is so delicious too.

    1. Thalia – you make amazing confections, a skill which I’m pretty sure I could never attain – but these tarts really are special!

  14. That’s “sayin’ something” if the family eats dessert after a meal like that! This is so lovely. I live in waaay south Texas, and passion fruit are always available and inexpensive. I don’t often make desserts, but I’m pinning. It looks lovely!

    1. My family enjoys a good meal – and since this was the French side of the family, bread cheese and wine are a given!

    1. Thanks, Ellen! I agree – the tamper is a must!

  15. Love it! Love it!…. I need to learn from you how to make tartlets, such a great detailed tutorial. Great for parties! Pinning:)

  16. These sound amazing! Even after a huge meal, everyone always has room for dessert 🙂 I love to serve tartlets after brunch. I can’t wait to try this recipe! Love the tropical flavors!

    1. They really are outstanding! If food could slap you across the face to get your attention, these tartlets do it!

  17. Renee Nicole's Kitchen says:

    These look amazing!! Thanks for sharing the link to that tamper. I didn’t even know what it was called let alone how to find one. Some thing new to add to the list of things to buy for my kitchen!

  18. 5 stars
    YES!!!! I’ve been waiting for this recipe to be on the blog. I agree… it was not an exaggeration. These little pieces of heaven were a HUGE hit! They are so amazing Bella keeps asking me when I’m going to make them. Soooo good!!

    1. I’m happy to help, Katrina! Hope you, Bella & James enjoy them!