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Maple Pumpkin Mini Tarts

Maple pumpkin mini tarts with buttery shortbread shells and silky custard baked until just set. Chilled for a creamy sliceable texture, then served with maple whipped cream and toasted pecans.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 38 minutes
Chilling 2 hours
Total Time 3 hours 3 minutes
Servings: 12 mini tarts
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 330
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For shortbread tart shells
  • 1.5 cup flour
  • 0.25 cup powdered sugar
  • 0.25 tsp salt
  • 0.75 cup cold butter Cut into small pieces and keep cold.
For maple pumpkin filling
  • 1 pumpkin puree
  • 0.5 cup pure maple syrup
  • 2 eggs
  • 0.5 cup heavy cream
  • 1.5 tsp pumpkin pie spice
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 0.25 tsp ginger
  • 1 tsp vanilla
For serving
  • toasted pecans
  • maple whipped cream

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan
  • 12 mini tart pans

Method
 

Make shortbread tart shells
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F, then press the shortbread dough into 12 mini tart pans. Bake for 12 minutes until pale golden, then cool the shells completely.
Bake the maple pumpkin custard
  1. Reduce the oven to 325°F, then whisk together pumpkin puree, pure maple syrup, eggs, heavy cream, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, ginger, and vanilla until smooth. Fill cooled tart shells about 3/4 full.
  2. Bake the filled tarts for 18–20 minutes until just set and the centers still jiggle slightly. Cool, then refrigerate for 2 hours to fully chill.
Serve
  1. Top each tart with maple whipped cream and sprinkle with toasted pecans right before serving. Serve chilled for the cleanest slice and best contrast between silky custard and crisp shell.

Notes

Pro tip: keep the butter cold and chill the dough briefly if it feels soft before pressing, which helps the shells hold their shape. Refrigerate assembled tarts for up to 4 days; freezing is not recommended because the custard texture can loosen after thawing. For a lighter option, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream, noting the filling will be slightly less rich but still set well.