Fresh Grape & Apple Fruit Tart

Serves 6 · 25 min prep · 5 min cook

Ingredients

• 1 (9-inch) prepared shortbread or graham tart crust
• 8 oz cream cheese
• 1/3 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 2 medium crisp apples
• 1.5 cups seedless green and red grapes
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 3 tbsp apricot jam
• 1 tbsp water
• 8 leaves fresh mint leaves

Instructions

1. 1Place the cream cheese in a mixing bowl and beat with a hand mixer until completely smooth and free of lumps.
2. 2Add the powdered sugar and vanilla; beat again until the mixture is light and fluffy.
3. 3In a separate chilled bowl whip the heavy cream to soft peaks, then gently fold it into the cream-cheese mixture to create a cloud-like filling.
4. 4Spread the filling evenly into the tart crust, smoothing the top with an offset spatula.
5. 5Core the apples and slice them into thin half-moons; toss immediately with lemon juice to keep them bright.
6. 6Halve the grapes and arrange alternating apple slices and grape halves in neat overlapping circles on top of the filling, starting from the outer edge and working inward.
7. 7Warm the apricot jam with the water in a small saucepan over low heat until it becomes a brushable glaze.
8. 8Lightly brush the glaze over the fruit so it shines without soaking the filling.
9. 9Chill the finished tart for at least 30 minutes so the filling firms and the glaze sets.
10. 10Just before serving, tuck a few mint leaves among the fruit for color and fragrance.
11. 11Slice with a sharp knife wiped clean between cuts and serve cold on a platter for easy sharing.