Feeling fruity: Shortcrust vanilla fruit slices

Sometimes you need to pull a quick, last minute dessert out of the bag.  Sure, you can run to the shops and buy one but it’s always nicer to make something yourself for that personal, homemade vibe.

Lately I’ve been playing around with fruit, vanilla and cream cheese – a delicious combo.  My latest attempt was these shortcrust pastry slices with vanilla cream and fruit which have become my go to quick last minute dessert as they’re so easy to make and they’re pretty too.  Even if you’re not much of a baker, you can make these – no problem!

These pastry slices make an elegant and stress-free end to a dinner but they’re just as yummy served with an afternoon cup of tea or coffee.

Ingredients (makes approx 6 slices):

250gms sweet shortcrust pastry (shop bought or make your own)
200 gms cream cheese
40 mls double cream
50 gms icing sugar (extra for dusting)
1 tsp vanilla extract
½ vanilla pod seeds
raspberries and nectarines (or any fruit you like)

Roll out your shortcrust pastry and cut in to long, thin rectangles of around 25-30cms long and around 3.5-4cms wide. Prick each one several times with a fork to make sure it doesn’t rise when baking.  Bake the pastry according to the instructions on the packet – I usually bake for 18-20 mins at 180° (fan assisted).

While the pastry is cooking, mix together the rest of the ingredients.  Once the pastry is cooked, remove from the oven and let it cool completely.

Put the vanilla cream cheese mixture in a piping bag (if you have one) otherwise you can use a knife.  And then start loading the cream cheese on to the shortcrust pastry slices, being very generous with the cream cheese mix.

Slice your fruit (if needed) and sit on top of the cream cheese.

Finally, dust the creamy, fruity shortcrust slices with icing sugar for the final touch.

Tip: If you prefer dessert’s that aren’t too sweet, switch the sweet shortcrust pastry with unsweetened. The slices will then be more like pastries and are great served any time of the day with a cup of coffee.

Do you think you’ll give these a try?  Leave me a comment and let me know.