Hello, fellow food enthusiasts and lovers of all things sweet! Today, we're embarking on a delightful culinary journey to celebrate Hinamatsuri, the Japanese Doll Festival, with a stunning dessert: Hinamatsuri Strawberry Rare Cheese Tart. 🍓🍰
I recently stumbled upon an exquisite recipe for this tart on Cotta, and I couldn't wait to share it with you all. Hinamatsuri, also known as Girls' Day, is a time to celebrate the health and happiness of girls in Japan. What better way to celebrate than with a dessert as beautiful as it is delicious?
So, let's roll up our sleeves, gather our ingredients, and create this springtime masterpiece together.
Ingredients:
For the Tart Crust:
- 150g graham crackers (or digestive biscuits), crushed
- 75g unsalted butter, melted
For the Rare Cheese Filling:
- 250g cream cheese, softened
- 100g granulated sugar
- 200ml heavy cream
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
For the Strawberry Topping:
- 200g fresh strawberries, hulled and halved
- 100g strawberry jam or preserves, heated and strained
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Tart Crust:
- In a mixing bowl, combine the crushed graham crackers and melted butter. Mix until the crumbs are evenly coated with the butter.
- Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of a 9-inch tart pan with a removable bottom. Use the back of a spoon to ensure it's compact and even.
- Chill the crust in the refrigerator while you prepare the filling.
2. Preheat and Prepare:
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C).
3. Make the Rare Cheese Filling:
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy.
- Gradually add the granulated sugar and continue to beat until well combined.
- Add the heavy cream and mix until the mixture is smooth and slightly thickened.
- Beat in the eggs, one at a time, and then add the vanilla extract.
- Finally, sift in the all-purpose flour and mix until just incorporated.
4. Assemble and Bake:
- Pour the rare cheese filling into the chilled tart crust.
- Carefully place the tart pan in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are set, but the center is slightly jiggly.
- Remove the tart from the oven and allow it to cool to room temperature. Then, refrigerate it for at least 2 hours or until completely chilled and set.
5. Decorate with Strawberries:
- Once the tart is chilled, arrange the fresh strawberry halves on top of the rare cheese filling.
- Heat the strawberry jam or preserves in a small saucepan until it's liquefied. Strain it through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any seeds.
- Gently brush the strawberry glaze over the fresh strawberries, creating a glossy finish.
6. Serve and Celebrate:
- Slice your Hinamatsuri Strawberry Rare Cheese Tart into wedges and serve. It's a delicious and visually stunning dessert that's perfect for celebrating special occasions or simply indulging in the joys of spring.
The result? A delicate balance of creamy rare cheese, sweet strawberries, and a buttery graham cracker crust that's as delightful to the eyes as it is to the taste buds.
So, let's celebrate Hinamatsuri in style with this delightful dessert. May it bring joy and sweetness to your springtime gatherings. Happy baking and savoring! 🍓🍰