Dreamy Mini Banana Cream Tarts Recipe for Sweet Moments
Whipping up delectable mini banana cream tarts brings pure joy to any dessert lover’s heart.
Sweet memories of childhood treats dance through my kitchen while crafting these delightful mini pastries.
Creamy custard meets crisp, buttery shells in a perfect harmony of flavors and textures.
Fresh bananas add natural sweetness that makes these tarts irresistible to everyone.
Light and elegant, these mini desserts promise to impress without complicated techniques.
Pastry chefs and home bakers alike will adore how simple yet sophisticated these tarts become.
You’ll want to savor every delicate, luscious bite of these miniature delights.
Mini Banana Cream Tarts for Sweet Afternoon Treats
Ingredients List for Mini Banana Cream Tart Magic
Crust Ingredients:Custard Base Ingredients:Topping Ingredients:Banana Cream Tart Instructions for Mini Bites
Step 1: Whip Up the Crust Base
Grab graham crackers and crush them into fine crumbs.
Mix the crumbs with:Stir everything until the mixture looks like wet sand and holds together nicely.
Step 2: Shape Delightful Shells
Press the crumb mixture firmly into mini tart pans or a muffin tin.
Make sure to create an even layer across the bottom and sides.
Use your fingers or the back of a spoon to compact the crust smoothly.
Step 3: Bake and Cool the Shells
Pop the tart shells into a preheated oven at 350°F.
Bake for 8-10 minutes until the edges turn golden brown.
Remove and let them cool completely on a wire rack.
Step 4: Create Silky Custard Base
In a saucepan, whisk together:Place the pan over medium heat and stir continuously to prevent scorching.
Step 5: Transform Custard to Creamy Perfection
Cook the mixture, whisking constantly, until it thickens and begins to bubble.
This typically takes 5-7 minutes.
The custard should coat the back of a spoon when ready.
Step 6: Enhance Custard Flavor
Remove from heat and stir in:Let the custard cool slightly, maintaining a warm temperature.
Step 7: Fill Tart Shells
Carefully spoon the warm custard into the cooled tart shells.
Fill generously and smooth the tops with a spatula for a clean finish.
Step 8: Add Banana Brilliance
Layer fresh banana slices over the custard, covering the surface of each tart.
Step 9: Create Gorgeous Garnish
Sprinkle crushed almonds over the tarts and drizzle with extra caramel sauce for a stunning presentation.
Step 10: Chill and Set
Refrigerate the tarts for at least 1 hour, allowing the custard to firm up completely.
Step 11: Serve and Delight
Pull the tarts from the refrigerator and serve chilled.
Watch as everyone enjoys these miniature dessert masterpieces!
Pro Tips for Creamy Mini Banana Cream Tarts
Banana Cream Tart Variations for Your Next Bake
Mini Banana Cream Tart Serving Suggestions
Mini Banana Cream Tart Storage Tips for Freshness
FAQs
Yes, you can substitute graham crackers with digestive biscuits or vanilla wafers for a similar texture and flavor profile.
Choose bananas that are yellow with small brown spots, which provide the best sweetness and smooth texture for the tarts.
Absolutely! You can prepare the custard a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator, covered with plastic wrap directly touching the surface to prevent a skin from forming.
Replace the graham cracker crust with gluten-free cookie crumbs or ground almonds to create a gluten-free version of the dessert.
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Mini Banana Cream Tarts Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
Description
Sweet mini banana cream tarts blend creamy filling with delicate pastry, offering a delightful dessert experience. Banana lovers will savor each bite of these petite, irresistible treats that provide pure comfort in one elegant mouthful.
Ingredients
Crust Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
Filling Ingredients:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 3 large egg yolks
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/4 cup caramel sauce
Topping Ingredients:
- 2 ripe bananas, sliced into rounds
- Crushed almonds, as needed
- Caramel sauce, as needed
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 350F (175C), preparing a clean workspace for creating delicate mini tarts.
- Blend graham cracker crumbs with sugar and melted butter until the mixture resembles coarse, moist sand.
- Gently press the crumb mixture into mini tart pans or muffin tin cavities, ensuring an even, compact layer across the bottom and sides.
- Bake the crusts for 8-10 minutes until lightly golden, then remove and allow to cool completely at room temperature.
- Whisk together heavy cream, milk, sugar, egg yolks, and cornstarch in a saucepan, creating a smooth, uniform custard base.
- Cook the custard over medium heat, stirring continuously to prevent scorching, until the mixture thickens and coats the back of a spoon (approximately 5-7 minutes).
- Remove custard from heat and incorporate vanilla extract and caramel sauce, stirring until fully integrated and allowing to cool slightly.
- Carefully spoon the warm custard into the prepared crusts, filling each to the brim and smoothing the surface with a small spatula.
- Artfully arrange fresh banana slices atop the custard, covering the surface of each tart.
- Enhance the presentation by sprinkling crushed almonds over the banana layer and drizzling additional caramel sauce in an elegant pattern.
- Refrigerate the tarts for a minimum of 1 hour to set the custard and allow flavors to meld together.
- Serve chilled, presenting these delectable mini banana cream tarts as an irresistible dessert.
Notes
- Swap graham crackers with gluten-free alternatives like almond flour or gluten-free cookie crumbs for celiac or gluten-sensitive diets.
- Use coconut cream instead of heavy cream to create a dairy-free version that maintains rich, creamy texture.
- Toast crushed almonds beforehand to enhance their nutty flavor and provide extra crunch to the tart topping.
- Prevent banana browning by brushing slices with fresh lemon juice before arranging on custard, keeping them fresh and vibrant.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 353 kcal
- Sugar: 38 g
- Sodium: 90 mg
- Fat: 21 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 135 mg
Nathaniel Brooks
Founder & Recipe Developer
Expertise
Farm-to-table cuisine, Seasonal recipe development, Culinary storytelling
Education
Ivy Tech Community College – Indianapolis, IN
Culinary Arts / Hospitality Administration & Events
Focused on hands-on training in classical and modern culinary techniques.
Nathaniel’s story starts in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, where farm stands, backyard gardens, and old family recipes shaped his love for real food. After graduating from Ivy Tech Community College in Indianapolis, he spent years working in farm-to-table kitchens, learning how to turn local, seasonal ingredients into something memorable.
Today, Nathaniel pours that same spirit into every single recipe on Aspiring Culinarian – recipes that feel real, comforting, and connected to the land. When he’s not in the kitchen, you’ll find him foraging wild herbs, chasing sunsets with his camera, or writing about the flavors that shaped his roots.