Are you craving a delicious dessert that's both easy to make and incredibly satisfying? Look no further! This Blueberry Cream Cheese Pastry is the perfect answer. It combines the tangy sweetness of cream cheese with the juicy burst of fresh blueberries, all encased in a flaky, buttery pastry crust. This recipe is perfect for beginner bakers, offering a quick and easy dessert solution without compromising on taste. It's a fantastic addition to your collection of healthy meals and quick dinner ideas, making it ideal for busy weeknights or delightful weekend treats.
Ingredients:
For the Pastry:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
- ¼ cup ice water
For the Filling:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups fresh blueberries
Instructions:
Making the Pastry Crust:
- Combine dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
- Cut in the butter: Add the cold butter cubes and use a pastry blender or your fingertips to cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Work quickly to prevent the butter from melting.
- Add ice water: Gradually add the ice water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing lightly until the dough just comes together. Don't overmix.
- Chill the dough: Form the dough into a disc, wrap it in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This allows the gluten to relax and prevents shrinkage during baking.
Assembling and Baking the Pastry:
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Prepare the filling: In a separate bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. Beat in the eggs one at a time until well combined. Gently fold in the blueberries.
- Roll out the dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough into a 12-inch circle. Transfer the dough to a 9-inch pie plate. Trim and crimp the edges.
- Pour in the filling: Pour the blueberry cream cheese filling into the pastry crust.
- Bake: Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is set. If the crust starts to brown too quickly, cover the edges with aluminum foil.
- Cool: Let the pastry cool completely on a wire rack before slicing and serving.
Tips for the Best Blueberry Cream Cheese Pastry:
- Use cold ingredients: Cold butter and ice water are crucial for a flaky pastry crust.
- Don't overmix the dough: Overmixing will develop the gluten, resulting in a tough crust.
- Blind bake (optional): For a crispier crust, you can pre-bake the crust for 15 minutes before adding the filling. This helps prevent a soggy bottom.
- Adjust sweetness: If you prefer a less sweet pastry, reduce the sugar in the filling.
Variations:
- Lemon Blueberry: Add the zest and juice of one lemon to the cream cheese filling for an extra zing.
- Mixed Berry: Substitute the blueberries with a mix of your favorite berries.
- Streusel Topping: Sprinkle a homemade streusel topping over the pastry before baking for added texture and flavor.
Nutritional Information (per serving, approximate):
This will vary depending on the specific ingredients used. A general estimate per serving would be around 300-350 calories, with varying amounts of fat, protein, and carbohydrates. For a precise nutritional breakdown, use a nutritional calculator with your specific ingredient measurements.
This Blueberry Cream Cheese Pastry is a simple yet elegant dessert that is sure to impress. It's a perfect example of delicious dishes achieved through homemade cooking, easily adaptable to your preferences and dietary needs. Enjoy!