These Mini Caprese Tarts are filled with seasoned cream cheese, fresh mozzarella, tomato and topped with basil. These tarts are the perfect end of summer appetizer or side dish!
There is nothing that says summer more than fresh Caprese inspired recipes! If you want even more, you need to try this Caprese Pasta Salad. It’s perfect all summer long!
I was looking back through my blog earlier, and I’m noticing a theme over the past few weeks. Lots of little bites – not a whole lot of hearty meals. I guess that is to blame on summer, right?? I’ve posted a few soups, and there was a salad and a quesadilla thrown in, but really, I’ve been making a whole lot of appetizers served as dinner, or we’ve been having multiple side dishes for dinner. You get the heat that zaps any motivation to be in the kitchen for very long, combined with all of the great in-season produce that makes for a perfect side dish, and you get light summer dinners. So I apologize if you’ve been wanting something more substantial – I do have a few things coming up!!
But for now, I am still making my way through piles of vegetables that are sitting on my counter. Not wanting anything to go to waste, I have been making great use of lots of tomato recipes these last few days. Seriously – I could do a whole tomato week, but I’ll spare you since I already focused on peaches and corn!!! (But you will be getting almost all tomato recipes this week!)
These Mini Caprese Tartlets are another winning recipe from Melissa D’Arabian from $10 Dinners. After not loving the first recipe that I made of hers, I’m glad I didn’t give up on her, because everything I’ve made since has been divine. And these little tartlets are no exception. I loved that the shells are made out of plain old white bread. And the flavored cream cheese was so good that I wanted to just eat it by the spoonful! This was such a great spin on a caprese sandwich – and it’s one that I would definitely do again! These Mini Caprese Tartlets would be perfect for a party, or as a side dish – or do what we did and just eat them for dinner!!
More Caprese Inspiration
Open Face Caprese Steak Sandwich
Caprese Pizza
Caprese Mac and Cheese
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Mini Caprese Tarts
Ingredients
- 8 slices white bread
- ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons cream cheese softened
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- salt and pepper
- 2 Roma tomatoes thinly sliced
- 4 ounces fresh mozzarella thinly sliced
- balsamic vinegar for drizzling
- 8 fresh basil leaves
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375Fº.
- Remove the crusts from the bread. Using a rolling pin, flatten each slice of bread. Brush both sides with olive oil and press into a muffin tin. (Tip: cut a small slit diagonally down one corner to make it easy to fit into the cup.) Set aside.
- In a small bowl, combine the cream cheese with the garlic powder, dried basil, salt and pepper. Mix together until smooth and creamy. Drop about a teaspoon into each cup. Bake the tartlets in the preheated oven until browned, about 12-13 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and place a slice of mozzarella in each cup. (I returned mine to the oven again for a minute or two to soften and melt the mozzarella slightly.) Top with a tomato.
- Drizzle with balsamic vinegar and a small drizzle of remaining olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Chiffonade the basil for garnish. Serve warm.
Suzanne @ flourarrangements says
I love these little bites! I’ve made a lot of mini dessert tartlets, but I’ll have to try these savory versions since my counters are pretty heavy with tomatoes, too. One trick I use is flower-shaped cookie cutters. The fluted edges make the crust slide into muffin tins really easily.
Jules says
Oooh yeah! Definitely gonna try these out! Yummy. I hope now that winter is coming we will still enjoy light bite food like you say!
Abby says
I’m bookmarking this for book club later this month!
Rene says
That is SUCH a great idea! I’m totally filing this away for any late picnics/cooks outs!
Cupcake Activist says
I like appetizers for dinners.
the little kimchi pierogi says
Mmmmmm, another good one to use as a football party app!
Ashley says
These look incredible. Such a smart idea, caprese anything is always delizioso!
Carrie@bakeaholicmama says
I just love how simple this recipe is… but it looks so elegant! I would have never thought of using bread as a tart crust like that. This is a keeper. I’ll be making this either for our lunch or dinner tonight!
Heidi / foodiecrush says
Deb, these are gorge! Love the idea of little tastes, and so many options too. THX for the mention, you are such good company to be in. XO