These Walnut Gouda Tartlets with Pear and Crispy Bacon are the perfect sweet-and-savory appetizer for holiday entertaining. Made with rich, nutty Artikaas Hay There Walnut Gouda, each flaky mini tart is filled with melted Gouda and topped with crispy bacon, fresh pear, and fragrant thyme. Easy to make but elegant enough for a holiday party or cheese board, these bite-sized Gouda tartlets bring together creamy, savory, sweet, and salty flavors in every bite.
INGREDIENTS:
Makes 24 tartlets
- 2 pie dough rounds, defrosted in the refrigerator
- 1 wedge Artikaas Hay There Walnut Hazelnut Gouda, cubed
- 8 slices bacon
- 1 pear
- 10–12 sprigs fresh thyme
- Dried beans, for weighing down the dough
Tools Needed
- Mini muffin tin
- 2½-inch biscuit cutter
- Parchment paper
HOW TO MAKE IT:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until crispy. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain and set aside.
- Roll out the pie dough and use a 2½-inch biscuit cutter to cut out 24 rounds.
- Lightly spray a mini muffin tin with cooking spray. Gently press each round of dough into a muffin cup. Place a small 1 x 1-inch piece of parchment paper over each tart shell and fill with dried beans to weigh down the dough.
- Blind bake for 10 minutes. Remove the parchment paper and beans, then place a ½-inch cube of Hay There Walnut Hazelnut Gouda into each tart shell. Return to the oven and bake for another 5 minutes, or until the Gouda is melted and the tart shells are golden.
- While the tartlets are baking, crumble the bacon, remove the thyme leaves from the stems, and finely dice the pear.
- Remove the tartlets from the oven and evenly top with the crispy bacon, diced pear, and fresh thyme. Serve warm and enjoy.
