I’m looking out the window right now, and there are no clouds in the sky. Like, at all.
I have pictured what I would do at this very moment all winter. I would walk out into my backyard, rip my clothes off where I am now wearing a bikini, and go and sun tan.
There are many things wrong with this vision. One: I have never sun tanned in my life. I can’t stay still long enough. Two: there is no way I could rip through clothes. That would require strength. And three: I never took into account the blinding panic I would feel when I saw the first signs of summer.
Yes, I started freaking out. Where did the time go? I only have heavy sweaters in my closet, I am not prepared for warm weather! And above all, now I can’t eat pumpkin baked goods.
Oh Cathleen, you naive doofus. They sell pumpkin in cans year round, it is not restricted to autumn.
So that is what I did. I went to the store and got some canned pumpkin. But in my hurry, I forgot to buy all-purpose flour. Of course. Serves me right for being so excited about the pumpkin.
Since my house always has whole wheat flour, I could make do with what I have.
This was a delicious treat. Since I love everything mini (mini peanut butter cheesecakes, mini strawberry layer cake, mini lasagna… the list goes on..) these make me love them all that much more. They are not too sweet, so some whipped cream on top seems like the perfect addition to these delicious treats!
Mini Chocolate Pumpkin Tarts
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 Tbsp cocoa powder
- 2 Tbsp brown sugar
- 3/4 cup salted butter, softened
- 2 Tbsp cold water
Filling
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/2 cup milk
- /4 cup maple syrup
- 1 large egg
- 1 Tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 oz dark chocolate
- 1 Tbsp peanut butter
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350˚F, Lightly spray a muffin pan and set aside.
- For the crust: In a food processor, pulse together the flour, salt, cocoa powder and sugar. Add in the butter and pulse until the mixture looks like oatmeal.
- Slowly add the water, continuing to pulse mixture until the crust begins to stick together more.
- Divide into 9 equal parts, and press into the muffin pan cavities to make the crust. Prick the bottom with a fork a couple of times.
- Bake for 10 minutes.
- For the filling: Place the chocolate and the milk in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave for 1-2 minutes. Mix together until well blended and chocolate is melted.
- In a large bowl, mix together the chocolate/milk mixture, pumpkin, maple syrup, egg, flour, salt and peanut butter. Fold in the chocolate chips.
- Divide evenly into your baked crusts and bake for 20-30 minutes.
- Let cool, then refrigerate in an airtight container.
Oh these look delicious Cathleen! And I am with you…I refuse to give up pumpkin and I think I will be baking with it in July!
These are adorable and I bet the flavor combo is awesome. I love pumpkin!
Can't find canned pumpkin over here in Germany..these tarlets must be very delicious.
Love these teeny pumpkin tarts and the use of chocolate and peanut butter. We have snow on the ground so no tan in Denver!
I wish i could get canned pumpkin in the UK!! yum!
nice combo of pumpkin and chocolate….
Anu's Healthy Kitchen – Raspberry Lemon Flower Cupcake
Wish winter here will stay a bit more 😛 😀 Love your chocolate and pumpkin combo ! The whipped cream topping is a perfect addition !
looking deliciousss!
What can I say? Yummeh!!!
oh wow… i love what i am seeing… delicious!!!
Hi Cathleen,
I'm the opposite of you in of term of liking in weather. I'm the sunshine person and for some reasons, my closet is always lacking of warm clothing.
In term of baking, I'm the same as you. Chocolate is always in baking list! Pumpkin with chocolate sounds really delicious for these tarts.
Zoe
The filling sounds good. I would make these tarts just for that filling 😀
These sound delicious! I love chocolate tarts, and the pumpkin is just an added healthy, creamy bonus.
– Grace @ FoodFitnessFreshAir.com
What a great idea to use pumpkin now! I only ever see it used in the fall.
Love the whole wheat and chocolate crust.. Looks delicious!