Decadent Crab Cheddar Mini Tarts
Delight your taste buds with these Decadent Crab Cheddar Mini Tarts! This easy-to-make recipe creatively replaces traditional tart shells with thinly sliced, buttered bread, creating a delightful, crispy base. Perfect for lunch, gatherings, or snacktime, these mini tarts are filled with a creamy crab and cheddar mixture that's enhanced with fresh herbs and a hint of lemon. Ideal for impressing guests at parties or enjoying as a satisfying afternoon treat, the combination of flavors ensures every bite is a delectable experience. For those looking to elevate their culinary skills, you can also try this recipe with pre-baked tart shells for an even more sophisticated option.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
White bread
36 slices (Thinly sliced)
Butter
1/4 cup (Softened for greasing)
Butter
1/4 cup (Melted)
Flour
1/4 cup (All-purpose)
Half-and-half cream
1 1/2 cups (None)
Cheddar cheese
1 1/4 cups (Grated)
Crabmeat
1 can (7 ounces) (Drained and shells removed)
Green onions
1 1/2 tablespoons (Minced)
Lemon rind
1 1/2 teaspoons (Grated)
Lemon juice
1 tablespoon (Freshly squeezed)
Parsley
2 tablespoons (Finely chopped)
Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon (None)
Yellow mustard
1 teaspoon (Prepared)
Salt
to taste (None)
Tabasco sauce
1 dash (None)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
2
Generously butter the wells of small muffin tins to ensure easy release after baking.
3
Using a 3-inch round cutter, cut out circles from each slice of thinly sliced white bread. You should have enough for 36 tart shells.
4
Carefully press each bread round into the muffin tins, forming small cups.
5
Bake the bread shells in the preheated oven for about 10 minutes or until they turn golden brown and crisp. Remove from the oven and set aside.
6
In a skillet, melt 1/4 cup of butter over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the flour and cook, stirring frequently, until bubbly, about 1-2 minutes.
7
Gradually whisk in the half-and-half cream, continuing to cook and stir until the mixture thickens, approximately 1 minute.
8
Stir in the grated cheddar cheese, allowing it to melt completely into the creamy mixture.
9
Add the drained crabmeat, minced green onions, lemon rind and juice, parsley, Worcestershire sauce, yellow mustard, salt to taste, and a dash of Tabasco sauce. Mix until all ingredients are well combined.
10
Evenly fill each baked bread tart shell with the crab mixture, ensuring they are generously packed.
11
Return the filled tarts to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes, or until the filling is bubbly and heated through.
12
Serve warm and enjoy these delightful mini tarts!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Decadent Crab Cheddar Mini Tarts?
They are a delectable appetizer featuring a creamy crab and cheddar cheese filling nestled in crispy, buttered bread shells.
What is used to make the tart shells in this recipe?
Thinly sliced white bread is used to create the shells, making it an easy and creative alternative to traditional pastry.
How many mini tarts does this recipe produce?
This recipe makes enough filling and shells for 36 mini tarts.
What is the recommended oven temperature for baking?
The oven should be preheated to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
How do I prevent the bread shells from sticking to the pan?
You should generously butter the wells of the small muffin tins before pressing the bread rounds into them.
What size cutter is needed for the bread rounds?
A 3-inch round cutter is recommended to get the perfect size for the muffin tin wells.
How long should the bread shells be pre-baked?
Bake the bread shells for about 10 minutes or until they are golden brown and crisp.
What are the main ingredients for the filling base?
The filling base is made from a roux of butter and flour, combined with half-and-half cream and grated cheddar cheese.
What type of crabmeat should I use?
The recipe calls for one 7-ounce can of crabmeat, drained with any shell fragments removed.
Can I use pre-made tart shells instead of bread?
Yes, you can use pre-baked tart shells for a more sophisticated version of this appetizer.
What herbs are used to season the crab filling?
The filling is seasoned with minced green onions and finely chopped fresh parsley.
Is there any citrus in the recipe?
Yes, the recipe includes both grated lemon rind and freshly squeezed lemon juice for a bright flavor.
What spices or sauces add heat to the tarts?
A dash of Tabasco sauce and a teaspoon of yellow mustard are included for a hint of spice.
How long do the filled tarts need to bake?
Once filled, the tarts should be returned to the oven for an additional 5 minutes.
How do I know when the tarts are finished baking?
The tarts are ready when the filling is bubbly and thoroughly heated through.
Should these mini tarts be served hot or cold?
These mini tarts are best enjoyed when served warm.
What type of cheese is recommended?
The recipe specifically calls for 1 1/4 cups of grated cheddar cheese.
Can these be served at parties?
Yes, they are ideal for impressing guests at parties, gatherings, or as a satisfying snack.
How much butter is needed in total?
The recipe requires 1/2 cup of butter total: 1/4 cup for greasing the tins and 1/4 cup for the filling sauce.
What type of cream is best for this recipe?
Half-and-half cream is used to create the rich and creamy texture of the filling.
What is the first step in making the filling?
The first step is melting butter in a skillet and whisking in flour to create a bubbly mixture.
How long does it take to thicken the cream mixture?
After adding the half-and-half, it usually takes approximately 1 minute of stirring for the mixture to thicken.
Are there any specific condiments used for flavor?
Yes, Worcestershire sauce and prepared yellow mustard are added to enhance the savory profile.
How do I prepare the green onions?
The green onions should be minced before being stirred into the crab mixture.
Can I use fresh crab instead of canned?
While the recipe specifies canned crabmeat, fresh crabmeat can be used as long as it is cleaned and shells are removed.
Is this recipe suitable for lunch?
Absolutely, these tarts are versatile enough for lunch, snacktime, or as an appetizer.
How much lemon juice is required?
The recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice.
What texture should the bread shells have?
The bread shells should be crispy and golden brown to provide a sturdy base for the creamy filling.
Should the crabmeat be drained?
Yes, it is important to drain the crabmeat thoroughly before adding it to the cheese mixture.
How much parsley is used?
The recipe uses 2 tablespoons of finely chopped parsley.