Blueberry Stars and Strawberry Stripes - An American Tart

Last year I started dabbling in making different simple tarts. I searched and  searched and searched for different recipes that would be delicious but quick. When I couldn't find something that fit my needs, I came up with my own tart recipe. As implied earlier, there are a lot of different recipes out there, but what I like about mine is just how simplistic it really is. Those of you that feel you "can't cook/bake" I promise you can, and this is the recipe to start with. It has always been a  huge hit for me, so I hope it can become one for you. P.S. I love the  fourth of July, so it was really hard deciding what exactly I wanted to make for you luvvs. Well, instead of choosing just to do one recipe, you're going to get a double dose of patriotic recipes. Come back next week to find your must-make Fourth of July cocktail. I'll give you a little hint: it's a patriotic cocktail worthy of presidents. Hmmmmmmmm.... 4th of July Tarts  Ingredients Package of sugar cookies 1 package of cream cheese (I bought the Greek yogurt cream cheese combo to be a tiny bit healthier) 1 package of whipped cream cheese 2 limes 1 cup of powdered sugar 1 tablespoon of vanilla Strawberries Blueberries Directions I start with the tart topping first so that it can cool while the cookies bake, but it doesn't really matter which you start with. Each step is pretty quick, so be ready to monitor. All together, this should take you about twenty minutes to create. For the tart topping, I used my Kitchenaid stand mixer which makes this a breeze. If you don't have one, rather than starting immediately, wait for your cream cheese packages to be room temperature so that it's easier to blend. If you do have one, go ahead and toss in the two types of cream cheese. I  buy both regular cream cheese and the whipped one because I like how the whipped adds a lightness to it. Put both cream cheeses into your mixing bowl. Then you will add the juice of two limes, the powdered sugar, and the vanilla. Mix until blended.

Once the blending is completed, you can taste test (BEST part!). Do you like your tart to be a little more on the sour side? Add more lime. Want it to be sweeter? Add more powdered sugar. I strive for a nice medium between those flavors, but you know what you like best. Now you're ready for everything else! As I said earlier, I make my mix first and then refrigerate it. While it is in the fridge, you will bake your sugar cookies. You can make yours from scratch, or buy the prepackaged kind. Cook your sugar cookies. Once they've cooled you're ready to top.

To make the best use of your time, you can also prepare the fruit while the cookies are baking. Luckily, the blueberries are simple: wash and then they're ready to top the cookies. The strawberries will need to be cut into slices. The blueberries will make the stars of the flag, the strawberries the stripes.

This recipe will yield enough for about 24-30 cookies depending on how much of the tart topping you place on the cookie. If you want to make more, just double the recipe. The tart topping is really good on its own. While this recipe is for the Fourth of July specifically, I've also made this using other fruit. There's really no limit as to what you can top it with.

Don't forget to come back next week to get the secret to some presidential punch!

(Photos by the lovely Heather Canterbury, from last 4th of July when I made these for the first time. If you're interested in her work -- which is fabulous -- you can find her website here.)