Description
This Asparagus Tart is a flaky, savory pastry made with buttery puff pastry, creamy herb cheese filling, nutty Gruyere, and fresh asparagus. Perfect for brunch, spring gatherings, or a light vegetarian meal, this elegant tart is easy to prepare and packed with fresh flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 sheet puff pastry (about 8 oz), thawed
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2.5 oz Gruyere cheese, grated
- 1 bunch fresh asparagus (about 12 oz), trimmed
- 1 tablespoon fresh chives, finely chopped
- 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh tarragon, chopped
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest (from 1 medium lemon)
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 egg yolk mixed with 1 tablespoon water (for egg wash)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Roll the thawed puff pastry on parchment paper to about 1/4-inch thickness, roughly a 11 x 13 inch rectangle.
- Transfer the pastry with the parchment onto the baking sheet and prick the center of the dough with a fork.
- Score a border about 1 inch from the edge of the pastry without cutting all the way through.
- Brush the outer border with egg wash made from egg yolk and water.
- Bake the crust for about 15–18 minutes until slightly puffed and lightly golden. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly.
- In a bowl, mix the softened cream cheese, Dijon mustard, lemon zest, chopped chives, chopped tarragon, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
- Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the cooled pastry base, staying within the scored border.
- Sprinkle grated Gruyere cheese evenly over the cream cheese layer.
- Toss the trimmed asparagus with olive oil and arrange the spears neatly across the tart.
- Bake the tart for 15–20 minutes until the pastry is golden brown and the asparagus is tender.
- Remove from the oven and let the tart rest for 15–20 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Thin asparagus spears work best because they cook quickly and evenly.
- If the asparagus stalks are thick, slice them lengthwise before arranging on the tart.
- Mascarpone or goat cheese can be substituted for cream cheese for a different flavor.
- Fontina or Swiss cheese can replace Gruyere if desired.
- The tart can be prepared up to 2 hours ahead and served warm or at room temperature.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 297 kcal
- Sugar: 1.6 g
- Sodium: 354 mg
- Fat: 22.8 g
- Saturated Fat: 8.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12.6 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 15.9 g
- Fiber: 0.9 g
- Protein: 7.4 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg