Cherry Lime Mini Tarts

Mmmm boy do I love cherries.  When I was growing up we had several gorgeous cherry trees in our yard so my mom was always making delicious cherry treats.  We barely have what you could call a yard now and definitely no cherry trees, but we made our way to Brentwood, CA a few weeks ago and had a great time cherry picking with the kids. 

I froze and canned most of the cherries that weren't eaten fresh, but I did make these delicious cherry lime mini tarts.  They are really easy and quick to make, and the cherries and lime make a perfect tart/sweet combination.

Cherry Lime Cups
from Martha Stewart

for the crust:
7 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces plus more for muffin pan
1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
2 large egg yolks
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

for the filling:
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice (from 3 limes)
1/4 teaspoon coarse salt
9 cherries, halved and pitted

Make crust: preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Lightly butter six standard muffin cups.  In a food processor, process butter, flour, sugar, and salt until mixture resembles coarse meal.  Add yolks and vanilla and process until dough comes together when pressed (dough will be crumbly).

Divide dough into 6 pieces.  Roll each into a ball and place in a muffin cup, pressing evenly into bottom and up sides.  Place a paper cupcake liner into each muffin cup over dough and fill with pie weights or dried beans.  Bake until edges are dry, 15 minutes.  Remove liners and weights; bake until crusts are dry and barely golden, 5 to 7 minutes.

Meanwhile, make filling: in a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, flour, sugar, lime juice, and salt.  Place 3 cherry halves into each crust and divide filling among each.  Bake until filling is set, about 25 minutes.  With the tip of a knife or small offset spatula, remove cups from pan.  Let cool completely on a wire rack.

Linked to:
This Week's Cravings
Sweet Tooth Friday 
Sweets for a Saturday 
Sweet Indulgences Sunday 
Melt in Your Mouth Monday