How To Host A Spring Gathering


Raspberry-White Chocolate Tartlets
 
Makes 24
Ingredients
  • 3 cups crushed shortbread cookies
  • 1¼ cups very finely chopped honey-roasted macadamia nuts
  • ¼ cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar, divided
  • 3 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 1 egg white, lightly beaten
  • 2 tablespoons cold water
  • 1 teaspoon unflavored gelatin
  • 1 (3-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 3 tablespoons seedless raspberry preserves, melted
  • 1 teaspoon raspberry extract
  • ½ cup confectioners’ sugar
  • ¾ cup heavy whipping cream
  • ⅓ cup finely chopped white chocolate
  • Garnish: fresh raspberries, pink sugar, fresh mint leaves
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350°. In a medium bowl, combine crumbs, macadamia nuts, ¼ cup sugar, and melted butter. Add egg white, stirring to combine well. Press crumb mixture into bottom and three-fourths up sides of 2 (12-cup) mini cheesecake pans. Bake for 10 minutes. Let cool in pan completely.
  2. In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine water and gelatin; let stand for 5 minutes. Microwave on HIGH (100 percent power) until dissolved (about 15 seconds total); let cool slightly.
  3. In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese, butter, raspberry preserves, and raspberry extract. Beat at medium speed with a mixer until creamy. Add confectioners’ sugar, beating to mix well; set aside.
  4. In a separate bowl, beat cream and 1 tablespoon sugar at high speed until soft peaks form. Beat in dissolved gelatin until stiff peaks form. Fold whipped cream mixture into cream cheese mixture until well combined. Fold in white chocolate.
  5. Spoon or pipe mixture into prepared crusts; cover and chill for 1 to 2 hours. Remove tartlets from pans. Garnish with fresh raspberries, pink sugar, and fresh mint, if desired.
Notes
To make sugared flowers: Lightly beat 1 egg white in a small bowl. Choose flowers with thin petals—such as roses, geraniums, or violets—and using a new paintbrush, cover each petal with egg white. Sprinkle superfine sugar evenly over the flowers, and gently shake off the excess. Let dry on waxed paper. (If necessary, granulated sugar can be ground in the food processor and substituted for the superfine variety.)

 

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