Housewarming Dessert Bar Mini Treats (Print Version)

A delightful assortment of bite-sized sweets with brownie bites, lemon cheesecake cups, and fruit tartlets.

# Components:

→ Mini Brownie Bites

01 - 3.5 oz unsalted butter
02 - 3.5 oz dark chocolate, chopped
03 - 3.2 oz granulated sugar
04 - 2 large eggs
05 - 1 tsp vanilla extract
06 - 2.1 oz all-purpose flour
07 - Pinch of salt

→ Mini Lemon Cheesecake Cups

08 - 5.3 oz cream cheese, softened
09 - 1.4 oz granulated sugar
10 - 1 large egg
11 - 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
12 - 1 tsp lemon zest
13 - 0.5 tsp vanilla extract
14 - 6 digestive biscuits or graham crackers, finely crushed
15 - 0.9 oz unsalted butter, melted

→ Mini Fruit Tartlets

16 - 1 sheet ready-rolled shortcrust pastry
17 - 2.5 fl oz whole milk
18 - 1 egg yolk
19 - 0.7 oz granulated sugar
20 - 1 tsp cornstarch
21 - 0.5 tsp vanilla extract
22 - 2.8 oz assorted fresh berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease mini muffin tins or line with paper cups as needed for all three dessert components.
02 - Combine butter and dark chocolate in a heatproof bowl over simmering water or use microwave method. Stir until completely smooth.
03 - Whisk sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract into melted chocolate mixture. Fold in flour and salt until just combined without overmixing.
04 - Spoon batter into 8 mini muffin cups. Bake for 12-15 minutes until set but fudgy in center. Allow to cool in tin.
05 - Mix crushed biscuits with melted butter. Press mixture evenly into bottom of 8 mini muffin cups.
06 - Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth and creamy. Add egg, lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract. Mix until just combined.
07 - Spoon filling over prepared crusts. Bake for 12-15 minutes until just set. Cool completely before refrigerating.
08 - Cut shortcrust pastry into 8 circles and press into mini tartlet tins. Prick bases with fork to prevent puffing during baking.
09 - Bake for 10-12 minutes until golden brown. Remove from tins and cool completely.
10 - Whisk milk, egg yolk, sugar, cornstarch, and vanilla extract in saucepan. Gently heat over medium heat, stirring constantly until thickened. Cool slightly.
11 - Fill cooled tartlet shells with prepared pastry cream. Top each with assorted fresh berries.
12 - Arrange all mini treats on tiered serving stand or platter. Garnish with fresh mint leaves if desired for presentation.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • You get three completely different desserts in one impressive spread, so everyone finds their favorite and nobody feels left out.
  • Each treat is small enough that people can graze without guilt, which somehow makes a housewarming feel more relaxed and fun.
  • Most of the work happens before you arrive, so you're not stressed in someone else's kitchen wondering if something will burn.
02 -
  • Overmixing any of these batters turns them dense instead of tender, so fold instead of stir, and stop mixing the moment everything comes together.
  • Temperature matters more than you'd think; everything performs better when your cream cheese is actually soft, your eggs are the right temperature, and your oven is properly preheated.
  • These treats are better made a day ahead because flavors develop and textures set properly, which also means less panic on the day you're serving them.
03 -
  • Arrange your treats on the platter right before serving so everything looks fresh and bright, and group them by color and shape to create visual interest without looking staged.
  • Have extra berries on hand because someone always wants more, and grabbing a few more from the fridge takes thirty seconds and makes you look like you planned for generosity.
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