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🤍 Protein Cream Tartlets — A Dessert That Wins You Over from the Very First Bite

There are desserts that never get old. For me, these delicate shortcrust tartlets filled with airy Swiss meringue buttercream are one of them. They turn out wonderfully crisp and crumbly, with a buttery shell and a light, fluffy cream that holds its shape beautifully and simply melts in your mouth. ✨

This dessert is perfect for holiday celebrations, family tea time, or any occasion when you want to treat your loved ones to something homemade, elegant, and delicious. ❤️

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🧾 Ingredients

🥧 For the Shortcrust Tartlets:

🧈 Cold unsalted butter — 180 g

🌾 All-purpose flour — 320 g

🍚 Powdered sugar — 80 g

🥚 Egg yolks — 2

🥄 Sour cream — 1 tbsp

🧂 A pinch of salt

🌼 Vanilla sugar — 1 tsp

☁️ For the Swiss Meringue Cream:

🥚 Egg whites — 4

🍚 Granulated sugar — 220 g

🍋 Lemon juice — 1 tsp

🌼 Vanilla extract (optional)

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👩‍🍳 Instructions

🥧 Prepare the Tartlet Shells

1️⃣ In a bowl, combine the flour, powdered sugar, and salt.

2️⃣ Add the cold butter and rub it into the dry ingredients with your fingertips until the mixture resembles fine crumbs.

3️⃣ Add the egg yolks, sour cream, and vanilla sugar.

4️⃣ Mix just until a soft dough forms. Avoid overworking the dough.

5️⃣ Wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

6️⃣ Roll out the dough to about 3–4 mm thick.

7️⃣ Press the dough into tartlet molds, making sure it fits snugly against the sides.

8️⃣ Prick the bottoms with a fork.

9️⃣ Bake at 180°C (350°F) for about 15–18 minutes, or until lightly golden.

Allow the tartlet shells to cool completely.

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☁️ Prepare the Swiss Meringue Cream

1️⃣ Combine the egg whites and sugar in a heatproof bowl.

2️⃣ Place the bowl over a saucepan of gently simmering water (double boiler).

3️⃣ Whisk continuously until the mixture reaches 60–65°C (140–149°F) and the sugar has completely dissolved.

4️⃣ Remove the bowl from the heat.

5️⃣ Beat with an electric mixer for 8–10 minutes, until the meringue becomes thick, glossy, and forms stiff peaks.

6️⃣ Add the lemon juice and beat briefly to combine.

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🍰 Assemble the Dessert

✨ Transfer the cream to a piping bag and pipe generous swirls onto the cooled tartlet shells.

If desired, decorate with chopped nuts, fresh berries, chocolate shavings, or colorful sprinkles.

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💛 Save this recipe so you always have it on hand. These tartlets are consistently beautiful, festive, and absolutely irresistible.