Berries & Cream Tarts

Ingredients

• 6 puff pastry tart shells
• 1 (4-ounce) container whipped cream cheese
• 1 tablespoon cherry-flavored liqueur or maraschino cherry juice
• 1/2 cup whipping cream
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 pint strawberries, hulled, halved
• 1 1/3 cups blueberries
• 1/2 cup strawberry jam or jelly
• 2 teaspoons water
• Fresh mint sprigs, optional for garnish

Directions

• 1
  Preheat oven to 400ºF. Bake tart shells using package directions. Transfer to a wire rack to cool. Remove and discard soft centers of shells.
• 2
  Combine cream cheese and liqueur in a large bowl. Beat with an electric mixer set at high speed until smooth and creamy.
• 3
  Combine whipping cream, sugar and vanilla extract in a medium bowl. Beat until stiff peaks form. Fold into the cream cheese mixture.
• 4
  Reserve 6 strawberry halves. Divide the remaining strawberries and blueberries among the tart shells.
• 5
  Cook jam and water in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring continually, until jam is melted. Spoon equal portions of jam mixture over berries in each of the tart shells.
• 6
  Top with whipped cream mixture and reserved strawberries. Brush strawberries with remaining jam mixture. Chill, covered, for 1 hour. Garnish with mint, if desired.