Zesty Lemon Chess Tassies
Indulge in the refreshing flavors of these Zesty Lemon Chess Tassies, a delightful bite-sized dessert that perfectly balances tartness and sweetness. With a buttery, cream cheese-infused crust and a luscious lemon filling, these mini tarts are an elegant treat for any occasion. Whether served during afternoon tea or as a charming dessert at a gathering, these tassies are bound to impress your guests with their vibrant lemon flavor and beautiful presentation. Easy to prepare, they can be made ahead of time and stored, making them a great option for busy hosts.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
butter
1 cup (softened)
cream cheese
1 (8 ounce) package (softened)
all-purpose flour
2 1/2 cups (divided; one tablespoon reserved for filling)
sugar
2 cups
large eggs
4
melted butter
1/4 cup
milk
1/4 cup
grated lemon rind
1 tablespoon
fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup
cornmeal
1 tablespoon
salt
1/4 teaspoon
Instructions
1
In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer on medium speed to beat the softened butter and cream cheese until smooth and creamy.
2
Gradually incorporate the all-purpose flour into the butter mixture, mixing on low speed until well combined.
3
Shape the dough into 48 individual balls. Wrap them in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for about 1 hour.
4
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a mini muffin pan.
5
Once the dough is chilled, place one dough ball into each cup of the mini muffin pan. Use your fingers to press and shape the dough up the sides, forming a shell.
6
In a separate bowl, whisk together the ingredients for the Lemon Chess Pie Filling: 2 cups sugar, 4 large eggs, 1/4 cup melted butter, 1/4 cup milk, 1 tablespoon grated lemon rind, 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice, 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon cornmeal, and 1/4 teaspoon salt until smooth and fully combined.
7
Spoon the Lemon Chess Pie Filling evenly into each tart shell, filling them about 3/4 full.
8
Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes, or until the filling is set and a light golden color.
9
Once baked, allow the tassies to cool in the pans on wire racks for about 10 minutes. Then, carefully remove them from the pans and let cool completely on wire racks.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Zesty Lemon Chess Tassies?
Zesty Lemon Chess Tassies are bite-sized desserts featuring a buttery, cream cheese-infused crust and a tangy lemon custard filling.
How many tassies does this recipe make?
This recipe is designed to make 48 individual mini tassies.
What is the base of the crust?
The crust is made from a combination of softened butter, cream cheese, and all-purpose flour.
How long should the dough chill before baking?
The dough balls should be wrapped in plastic and chilled in the refrigerator for approximately 1 hour.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) for baking these tarts.
Do I need to grease the muffin pan?
Yes, you should lightly grease a mini muffin pan before placing the dough balls into the cups.
What ingredients are in the Lemon Chess Pie Filling?
The filling consists of sugar, large eggs, melted butter, milk, lemon rind, fresh lemon juice, flour, cornmeal, and salt.
How do I shape the tart shells?
Place one chilled dough ball into each mini muffin cup and use your fingers to press the dough up the sides to form a shell.
How much filling should I put in each shell?
Spoon the lemon filling into each tart shell until they are about 3/4 full.
How long do these take to bake?
Bake the tassies for approximately 25 minutes until the filling is set and they are light golden in color.
What is the best way to cool the tassies?
Let them cool in the pans on wire racks for 10 minutes, then remove them to cool completely on the racks.
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes, these tassies are a great option for busy hosts as they can be prepared in advance and stored.
What type of lemon juice is best?
Fresh lemon juice is recommended to achieve the most vibrant and refreshing flavor.
Why is cornmeal used in the filling?
Cornmeal is a traditional ingredient in chess pies that helps provide a unique texture and helps set the custard.
Is the butter for the crust used differently than the butter for the filling?
Yes, the crust uses softened butter beaten with cream cheese, while the filling uses melted butter.
Can I use a regular muffin tin?
These are intended to be bite-sized tassies using a mini muffin pan; using a regular tin would change the size and baking time.
What occasions are these tarts suitable for?
They are perfect for afternoon tea, parties, or as an elegant dessert for any gathering.
How do I know when the filling is properly baked?
The filling should be set and no longer jiggly, with a light golden hue on the surface.
What is the texture of the crust?
The addition of cream cheese makes the crust buttery, flaky, and slightly tangy.
Can I substitute the lemon rind?
The grated lemon rind provides essential citrus oils for flavor; it is highly recommended for the 'zesty' profile.
What tools do I need for the crust?
An electric mixer is recommended to beat the butter and cream cheese until smooth.
How much flour is used in total?
The recipe uses 2 1/2 cups of flour total, with one tablespoon reserved specifically for the filling.
Should the eggs be at room temperature?
While not strictly required, room temperature eggs often whisk more easily into the sugar and butter mixture.
How should I store leftovers?
Store the cooled tassies in an airtight container to maintain their freshness.
Are these tassies very sweet?
They offer a perfect balance of tart lemon flavor and sweetness from the sugar.
What is the significance of the name 'chess'?
'Chess' refers to a classic style of Southern pie that uses a simple custard base often thickened with cornmeal or flour.
Can I freeze these?
Yes, they can be frozen in an airtight container for later use.
How do I prevent the dough from sticking to my hands?
Chilling the dough for the full hour makes it much easier to handle and roll into balls.
Do I need to whisk the filling by hand or with a mixer?
A simple hand whisk is sufficient to blend the filling ingredients until smooth.
Can I garnish these?
Yes, a light dusting of powdered sugar or a small dollop of whipped cream makes a beautiful presentation.