Easy Fruit Tart

Has your summer been super hot? Does the thought of turning on your oven make you melt? When it's hot like it has been this summer I usually have no desire to cook or bake -even though I love to do both.

But sometimes you need to have a dessert for that barbecue/party and you want it to be special. You could go the ice pop/ice cream route - definitely easy and no turning on the oven. Unfortunately that is not me. If there are to be adults at a party I want to give them a real dessert. One of my favorites is a fruit tart. The only baking required is the shortbread shell- 25 minutes in the oven and it's done!

After that all you have to do is add the filing- cream cheese and fruit.

I hope you are staying cool and having a great weekend. If you need that quick dessert, here's the recipe:

Easy Fruit Tart

Crust:

1/2 cup confectioner sugar

1 1/2 cups flour

1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, softened and cut into cubes

Filling:

1 8oz. package cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup sugar

1 tsp. Vanilla extract

zest of one orange

Topping:

Strawberries, blueberries, etc. – whatever you like

2 to 3 TBLS. Apricot jam/preserves

Preheat oven to 350.

Place all crust ingredients in a food processor and pulse until dough forms a ball. Remove and place in a tart pan, pressing against bottom and sides. Prick with a fork and bake for 20 to 25 minutes until lightly browned. Cool.

Make Filling by beating softened cream cheese with sugar, vanilla and orange zest until smooth. Spread onto cooled crust.

Top with fruit.

Heat apricot jam and spread on top of fruit as a glaze.

Chill before serving.

Note: you can substitute instant vanilla pudding for the filling. Prepare according to package directions and just add the orange zest.

Workshop at Rosie's Handmade Revolution

Well, it has been ages since I last posted anything on this blog. As my mother used to say "long time no see". My excuse is simple- busy and tired!

May and June were full of a ton events at my children's schools. If you have kids, you know what those last weeks of school can be like. July brought vacation in South Carolina and Virginia. Then we were off to camps and swimming lessons. This week has been slower, but then my son came down with a summer cold/flu. So here I am at home trying to catch up on all my postings on Facebook and finally doing my blog!

In the last three months of madness I managed to produce a bunch of coasters for teachers gifts. No picture. I think you've seen enough of them. I did make two sets of hooded towels with coordinating bodysuits, bib and burp cloths.

If you like these and are interested in doing a workshop to make them, then you are in luck. Amy from Rosie's Handmade Revolution in Bellport, NY (here on Long Island) has asked me to do a workshop on August 19th, 7:00 pm at her shop. If it sounds like something you would like to do give Amy a call at 631-803-8029. Amy's shop sells all sorts of handmade items from Etsy.com sellers like me. So check out Rosie's Handmade Revolution on facebook and here.