Recipe: Tiny Tarts and Pecan Filling or Spiced Fruit Filling (with cream cheese pastry)

TINY TARTS

1/2 cup margarine or butter, softened
1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 cup all-purpose flour
Choice of filling or Pecan or Spiced Fruit Filling (recipes follows)

In a mixing bowl beat softened margarine or butter and cream cheese till thoroughly combined. Stir in flour.

Using 24 ungreased 1 1/5-inch muffin cups, press a rounded teaspoon of pastry evenly into the bottom and up the sides of each cup. Fill each pastry-lined muffin cup with about 1 heaping teaspoon desired filling.

Bake in a 325 degree F oven about 30 minutes or till pastry is golden and filling is puffed. Cool slightly in muffin cups, then remove and cool completely on a wire rack.

PECAN FILLING:
In a small bowl, beat together 1 egg, 3/4 cup packed brown sugar and 1 tablespoon melted margarine or butter. Stir in 1/2 cup coarsely chopped pecans.

SPICED FRUIT FILLING:
In a small saucepan combine 1 1/2 cups chopped mixed dried fruit and 1 1/2 cups apple juice or water. Bring to a boil; reduce heat. Cover and simmer about 8minutes or till fruit is very tender. Drain. Stir in 1/4 cup orange marmalade, 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg, and 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves.

Makes 24 tarts
Source: KitchenAidRita to Kitchenaid Conversations, December 2004