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    Home » Puddings & Fruit Desserts

    Published: Sep 21, 2021 · Modified: Sep 19, 2023 by Pam

    Coconut Tartlets Recipe (Video)

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    This simple Coconut Tartlets recipe has a creamy filling made from just a few ingredients. Toasted coconut garnish makes these coconut tarts as beautiful as they are delicious.

    close up of coconut tarts

    The coconut lovers in your midst will be singing praises over these super easy bite sized sweet treats. As you rake in the compliments over how beautiful and tasty they are you can keep this secret:

    They're easy - like super simple, just a few ingredients, made-in-minutes, easy.

    We love mini desserts because you can easily make an array of them and let your guests mix and match. They're perfect for a buffet and your guests will appreciate your thoughtfulness at not presenting them with a huge, rich dessert that they feel obligated to eat.

    Jump to:
    • Why you'll love these Coconut Tartlets
    • Ingredients for Coconut Tarts
    • How to make this Coconut Tartlet recipe
    • Expert Tips
    • Substitutions and Variations
    • Storing Tips
    • What to serve with coconut tarts
    • FAQ's about coconut tarts
    • 📖 Recipe
    • Puddings & Fruit Desserts

    Why you'll love these Coconut Tartlets

    We love bite sized sweets and find that most everyone else does too. Besides that, here are a few reasons you'll want them in your dessert arsenal.

    1. The mini size means they're also small in terms of calories.
    2. You're not locked into one flavor if you offer a selection of small bite sweets. See below for other suggestions.
    3. They're self serve, making them perfect for a buffet.
    4. Your guests will appreciate your thoughtfulness at not presenting them with a huge, rich dessert that they feel obligated to eat.
    5. The small size means they're easy to garnish and make beautiful.
    coconut tartlets on white stand

    Ingredients for Coconut Tarts

    • Heavy whipping cream- whipped
    • Cream cheese- room temperature
    • Sugar
    • Coconut milk
    • Vanilla or coconut extract- For the most intense flavor use coconut extract, widely available in most grocery stores. If you prefer to use vanilla extract it will still be delicious - the flavor will just be a little more mild.
    • Coconut- toasted
    • Mini phyllo shells- These can be bought in the freezer section of the grocery store.
    overhead of mini coconut tartlets

    How to make this Coconut Tartlet recipe

    1. Prepare your tart shells. If using the phyllo shells like we did they'll need just a few minutes in the oven to crisp. Follow the directions on the package.
    2. Toast the coconut for garnishing.
    3. Cream the cream cheese and sugar until smooth.
    4. Add extract and coconut milk and blend well.
    5. Whip the heavy whipped cream and fold it into the cream cheese mixture.
    6. Pipe the mixture into the tart shells using a baggie with a corner cut off or a pastry bag.
    7. Garnish with toasted coconut and chill for 30 minutes before serving.

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    Expert Tips

    • We love mini phyllo shells, found in the freezer section of your grocery. We've used them in savory items, like super easy Pimento Cheese Appetizers as well as sweet ones.
    • This coconut filling will make enough for 25-30 of the mini's made in the phyllo shells.
    • Chill the bowl and beaters that you'll use for making the whipped cream.
    • Make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature.

    Substitutions and Variations

    • You can make an easy tart shell in a mini muffin tin similar to what we've done in our Cheese Tartlets. The difference is you would need to bake and cool the shells first since this is a no bake filling.
    • You could also make completely homemade mini tart shells if that's your thing. Of course, the number of coconut tarts you'll end up with is going to vary with the size of your shells.

    Storing Tips

    Make Ahead

    We like to make them no more than two days in advance of serving. Beyond that the shells can get soft and not be as crispy.

    Freezer

    We have not tested freezing them. However, we have frozen our Mini Chocolate Chip Cheesecakes (with a similar ingredient list) and they were great! In fact, they made a delicious frozen treat and they were excellent after thawing.

    rows of bite sized coconut tarts

    What to serve with coconut tarts

    We love setting out a selection of small desserts at a party- Our guest love the variety and they always get eaten more than big cakes or pie do. Here's a few mini dessert ideas for your next gathering.

    • Strawberry Shortcake Shots (equally pretty and uber easy)
    • Mini Chocolate Chip Cheesecakes
    • Lemon Tarts with Cheesecake Layer
    • Pecan Pie Cheesecake Small Bites
    • Key Lime Cupcakes: Mini Sized
    • Coconut Chocolate Chip Cookies with Brown Butter
    • Mini Carrot Cake Cupcakes
    • For a boozy twist add Mudslide Pudding Shots and Key Lime Pie Pudding Shots

    FAQ's about coconut tarts

    How long will these tarts keep?

    We like to make them no more than two days in advance of serving. Beyond that the shells can get soft and not be as crispy.

    Is there a difference between coconut milk and coconut cream?

    Yes! Coconut cream is denser (thicker) because it has a higher fat content. We only tested this recipe using coconut milk and therefore cannot guarantee what kind of results you would get with coconut cream.

    How many mini desserts should you make per person?

    I would plan on about 4 per person, though most people won't eat more than 2 or 3. If you have a big selection, plan according to how many more choices there are.

    Can coconut tarts be frozen?

    We have not tested freezing them. However, we have frozen our Mini Chocolate Chip Cheesecakes (with a similar ingredient list) and they were great! In fact, they made a delicious frozen treat and they were excellent after thawing.

    How do you toast coconut?

    Heat coconut in a small skillet over medium heat stirring constantly until it's golden brown. You can toast coconut in the oven or under a broiler, but we find you have the most control if you make it like this.

    For a quick and fun look at this recipe be sure to check out the Google Web Story.

    📖 Recipe

    close up of mini tarts with toasted coconut

    Coconut Tartlets Recipe

    Pam
    These easy coconut tarts have a creamy filling made from just a few ingredients. Toasted coconut garnish makes them beautiful and delicious!
    4.75 from 12 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Chill Time 20 minutes mins
    Course Dessert
    Servings 25 mini tarts
    Calories 58 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • ½ cup heavy whipping cream whipped
    • 4 ounces cream cheese room temperature
    • 3 Tablespoons sugar
    • 3 Tablespoons coconut milk
    • 1 teaspoon coconut extract or vanilla extract
    • ⅓ cup coconut toasted
    • 25-30 mini phyllo shells

    Instructions
     

    • Cream sugar and cream cheese until well blended. Add extract and coconut milk and blend well.
    • Gently fold in whipped cream.
    • Chill mixture for 25-30 minutes.
    • Pipe into prepared tart shells and top with toasted coconut.
    • Chill until ready to serve.

    Notes

    If using mini phyllo shells they will need "crisping" before filling according to package directions. Cool completely before filling.
    Chill bowl and beaters for best results with whipped cream.
    Coconut extract will give these tarts the boldest coconut flavor. 
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 58kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 1gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 10mgSodium: 23mgPotassium: 19mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 131IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 8mgIron: 0.1mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Katia says

      September 21, 2021 at 1:07 pm

      5 stars
      Had a gathering yesterday and made this little coconut tarts and everyone loved them and they went so fast. My only regret is not making a second batch

      Reply
      • Pam says

        September 21, 2021 at 1:39 pm

        Hahaha... next time, Katia!

        Reply
    2. Tara says

      September 21, 2021 at 1:22 pm

      5 stars
      Oh how cute! I love these little bite sized treats. Sounds absolutely amazing with the mini phyllo shells as the base.

      Reply
      • Pam says

        September 21, 2021 at 1:39 pm

        Thanks so much, Tara.

        Reply
    3. Aimee Mars says

      September 21, 2021 at 1:49 pm

      5 stars
      These are absolutely adorable and look so easy to make! I think this is going to be my go-to dessert now for entertaining.

      Reply
      • Pam says

        September 21, 2021 at 5:50 pm

        Thanks, Aimee!

        Reply
    4. Angela says

      September 21, 2021 at 1:53 pm

      5 stars
      Coconut desserts are my absolute favorite! I love that I can use phyllo shells with this. So easy and delicious!

      Reply
      • Michelle says

        September 21, 2021 at 2:37 pm

        5 stars
        These are beautiful! I love how easy the filling is

        Reply
    5. Linda B says

      November 24, 2021 at 2:27 pm

      5 stars
      These little Tartlets are absolutely delicious!

      Reply
    6. Renita Hudson says

      March 24, 2023 at 4:22 pm

      By any chance can I use cool whip or redi whip to fold in instead of making whipped cream?

      Reply
      • Pam says

        March 26, 2023 at 9:25 am

        Cool whip might work Renita, but I wouldn't try redi whip. We haven't tested it with cool whip either. Making real whipped cream is quick and easy though, and gives a far superior taste to cool whip.

        Reply

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