Sugar Cookie Tarts

Sugar Cookie Tarts

These amazing sugar cookie tarts are one of my very favorite spring and summer desserts! Sugar Cookie Tarts are the best of both worlds...delicious sugar cookies and scrumptious fruit tarts, combined!  These give you the look of beautiful fresh fruit tarts without all the fuss of an actual French pastry.  These tarts look like you've put in a lot of time and effort, but they are really simple and fast.  They are perfect for brunches, open houses and parties and best of all, they are positively mouthwatering!  This recipe will make 27 Sugar Cookie Tarts. For an elegant dinner party dessert, serve a sugar cookie tart with a mini scoop of sorbet on the side. Hope you enjoy this original Andrea recipe!  Happy spring! 

Sugar Cookies

1 cup sugar

¾ cup butter, softened

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 teaspoon pure lemon extract

1 lemon, juiced and zested

2 cups flour

1 ½ teaspoon baking powder

¼ teaspoon baking soda

Heat oven to 350 degrees.  In bowl of electric mixer combine sugar, butter, egg, vanilla, lemon extract and lemon zest. Save the lemon juice for the Lemon Glaze.  Mix until creamy while scraping the bowl often.   In separate bowl mix flour, baking powder and baking soda.  Add to butter mixture and mix until well blended, about 1-2 minutes.  Roll dough into 1 ¼ inch balls.  Roll dough balls in extra granulated sugar and place on ungreased cookie sheet. 

Dip bottom of a drinking glass in sugar and flatten dough balls into 2 ¼ inch circles.  Bake for 10-12 minutes, or just until tops of cookies begin to break slightly.  Let cool 2 minutes and remove from cookie sheet.  Cool completely.  Frost with Lemon Butter Cream Frosting.

Lemon Butter Cream Frosting

1/2 cup butter

4 cups powdered sugar

juice from 2 lemons 

1 teaspoon vanilla

Cream all ingredients in an electric mixer until fluffy.  Place a spoonful of frosting on a cookie and spread it around with the back of the spoon.

 Top with a big pinch of fresh blueberries, sliced strawberries and fresh raspberries. You could also add some kiwi slices and clementine sections. Garnish with a sprig of mint.  You are going to love these!