Easy Tarte Soleil Recipe: Flaky Puff Pastry with Boursin & Italian Herbs
Picture this: a stunning, golden-brown appetizer that looks like it took hours to prepare, but was actually ready in a flash with just four simple ingredients. That’s the magic of this Tarte Soleil! Also known as a “sun tart” due to its radiant, pulled-apart design, this savory pastry is a true crowd-pleaser, perfect for any gathering, from casual Sunday appetizers to elegant holiday parties. Its visual appeal is undeniable, drawing everyone in before they even take their first delicious bite.
This month, for our beloved food blog swap, I had the pleasure of exploring the Dutch blog, Cookingdom. The blog’s creator, Arieta, truly lives up to her slogan of offering “good food and easy recipes for healthy meals and sweet baked goods.” Navigating through her treasure trove of delightful creations was no easy feat, as every recipe seemed more enticing than the last. However, my eyes eventually landed on this intriguing Tarte Soleil. At first glance, it looked so elaborate, I assumed it would be a complex culinary adventure. Yet, as I delved into the recipe, I was genuinely surprised – almost to the point of disbelief – by its incredible simplicity. Only four ingredients! Yes, you read that right. While each ingredient is undeniably delicious, the minimal count made me wonder if it could truly deliver. I decided to embrace the challenge.
The following Sunday, a day traditionally reserved for indulging in delicious appetizers at my home, I unveiled my Tarte Soleil creation. And what a triumph it was! It quickly became the star of the show. Despite its sophisticated appearance, preparing it was remarkably straightforward. To prove just how simple it is, I documented the entire process with step-by-step photos and even a video tutorial. You can see for yourself how easy it is to achieve such a beautiful and mouth-watering result without any culinary stress. The video link is conveniently located within the recipe card below, so you can watch and follow along with ease.
Why This Tarte Soleil Recipe is a Guaranteed Winner
Beyond its stunning appearance and minimal ingredient list, there are several reasons why this Tarte Soleil will become a staple in your appetizer repertoire:
- Effortless Elegance: It looks incredibly impressive, giving the illusion of advanced baking skills, but it’s genuinely simple to assemble. The ‘sun ray’ effect is created with just a few cuts and twists, making it a fun and accessible project for even novice bakers.
- Puff Pastry Perfection: The magic truly lies in the puff pastry. It bakes up incredibly light, airy, and golden-crisp, providing the perfect contrast to the creamy filling. A pro tip for working with puff pastry: the side with the plastic sheet tends to be stickier. Use this side facing down if you’re layering or wanting to ensure a secure seal between pastry sheets.
- Flavorful Filling: Boursin cheese, with its rich, garlicky, and herbaceous notes, is the ideal foundation for this tart. It melts beautifully, creating a wonderfully savory and aromatic layer that complements the flaky pastry perfectly.
- Versatile for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a last-minute gathering, a weekend brunch, a holiday feast, or just a simple family snack, this Tarte Soleil fits right in. It’s light enough not to spoil dinner but satisfying enough to curb pre-meal hunger.
- Customizable: While the basic recipe is fantastic, it’s also a great canvas for your culinary creativity. Feel free to experiment with additional toppings and seasonings to match your taste or the occasion.
The Star Ingredients: Only Four!
It’s rare to find a recipe so simple yet so utterly delicious. Let’s take a moment to appreciate the humble yet mighty four ingredients that make this Tarte Soleil shine:
- Puff Pastry Sheets: The foundation of our sun tart. Choose a good quality, all-butter puff pastry if available, as it will yield the flakiest results. Ensure it’s thawed according to package instructions but still cold enough to handle. Puff pastry expands dramatically when baked, creating those irresistible layers.
- Boursin Cheese: The creamy, flavorful heart of the tart. Boursin, particularly the Garlic & Fine Herbs variety, brings an explosion of savory flavor without needing extra chopping or seasoning. Its soft, spreadable texture makes it incredibly easy to work with.
- Egg Yolk: Used as an egg wash, the egg yolk (mixed with a tiny bit of water) is crucial for giving the Tarte Soleil its beautiful golden-brown, glossy finish. It also helps the Italian herbs adhere to the surface.
- Italian Herbs: A simple sprinkle of Italian seasoning elevates the flavor profile, adding aromatic depth and a touch of color. This blend typically includes basil, oregano, rosemary, and thyme, all perfect complements to the Boursin.
Each of these ingredients plays a vital role in creating the perfect balance of texture and taste, proving that sometimes, less truly is more in the kitchen.
Easy Variations and Substitutions for Your Tarte Soleil
While the classic four-ingredient recipe is phenomenal, it’s always fun to know how to adapt it or add a personal touch. Here are some ideas for substitutions and delicious additions:
Boursin Alternatives:
- Instead of Boursin, you can easily use another type of herb cream cheese. Many brands offer garlic and herb-flavored cream cheeses that work wonderfully and can often be a more budget-friendly option.
- For a homemade touch, mix softened cream cheese with a clove or two of minced garlic, a tablespoon of fresh chopped parsley, and a pinch of salt and pepper. You could also add a tablespoon of grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano cheese for extra savory depth. This combination provides a similar creamy, herbaceous base.
- If you prefer a richer flavor, a mixture of garlic butter and a thin layer of grated hard cheese (like Gruyère or Parmesan) could also work, though it will have a different texture than cream cheese.
Delicious Additions and Toppings:
Once you’ve mastered the basic Tarte Soleil, consider these ideas to take it to the next level:
- Cheese Boost: Sprinkle some grated Parmesan cheese directly over the Boursin layer before adding the top puff pastry sheet, or over the egg wash before baking for an extra crispy, cheesy crust.
- Fresh Garlic: For a more intense garlic flavor, thinly slice or finely mince an extra clove of garlic and sprinkle it over the Boursin layer.
- Spicy Kick: A pinch of red pepper flakes sprinkled with the Italian herbs can add a subtle heat.
- Olives or Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Finely chopped olives or sun-dried tomatoes (pat dry to remove excess oil) can be scattered over the Boursin for a Mediterranean twist.
- Sesame Seeds or Poppy Seeds: Sprinkle these over the egg wash for added texture and a nutty flavor.
- Fresh Herbs: Instead of or in addition to dried Italian herbs, finely chop some fresh basil, oregano, or rosemary and sprinkle over the tart just before baking.
Budget-Friendly Version:
As mentioned, using a generic brand of herb cream cheese instead of Boursin can significantly reduce the cost while still delivering a delicious result. The original source indicates a budget-friendly version can cost as little as €1.60, making this a truly accessible gourmet appetizer.
Storage and Making Ahead Tips
When it comes to this delightful Tarte Soleil, the golden rule is to enjoy it fresh out of the oven. The puff pastry is at its absolute crispiest and most tender immediately after baking. While it’s highly unlikely you’ll have any leftovers (it tends to disappear quickly!), it’s important to note that this is not a recipe that stores well. Reheating puff pastry often results in a soggy or overly dry texture, losing its desirable flakiness.
Therefore, plan to serve your Tarte Soleil right away. If you need to prepare it slightly in advance for an event, you can assemble the tart up to the point of brushing with egg wash and sprinkling with herbs. Keep it covered loosely in the refrigerator for an hour or two, then bake just before serving. This ensures maximum freshness and crispness, guaranteeing your guests experience it at its very best.
Other Delicious Puff Pastry Creations
Puff pastry is a true hero in the kitchen, offering endless possibilities for quick and impressive dishes, both sweet and savory. Its versatility, ease of use, and ability to transform into golden, flaky layers make it a favorite for busy home cooks and experienced chefs alike. If you loved making this Tarte Soleil, you might enjoy exploring these other fantastic puff pastry recipes:
- Puff Pastry with Cheese, Basil, and Bacon: A savory delight combining classic flavors for a rich, satisfying bite.
- Savory Meatloaf wrapped in Puff Pastry: An elevated twist on a comfort food classic, perfect for a hearty meal.
- Pigs in a Blanket: The quintessential party snack, made easy and delicious with flaky puff pastry.
- Onion Tart with Thyme: A sophisticated and aromatic tart, ideal for brunch or a light lunch.
These recipes demonstrate just how adaptable puff pastry can be, allowing you to create a range of dishes that are both simple to make and incredibly satisfying to eat.
It’s a good taste! Truly delicious!
Recipe: Tarte Soleil with Puff Pastry and Boursin
Did you make this Tarte Soleil with puff pastry and Boursin? Tag #byandreajanssen via Instagram or Twitter. I absolutely love seeing your culinary creations and can’t wait to check them out! You can also share your recipes on my Facebook channel or pin this recipe on Pinterest so it’s easy to find next time. Happy cooking, and see you soon!
📖 Recipe
VIDEO
RECIPE CARD
Andréa
Pin Recipe
Equipment
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A conventional oven is used. When using a convection oven (with air fan) decrease the temperature with 30 °F / 20 °C
Ingredients
- 8 sheets puff pastry , thawed
- 100 grams Boursin
- 1 egg yolk
- 2 teaspoons Italian herbs
All my recipes are written both in Metric (gram / ml) and US Customary (cups / pounds). Here you can select which type of amount you would like to see.
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 220 degrees Celsius (425°F).
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Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
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Lay 4 sheets of puff pastry against each other on the parchment paper and firmly press the seams to seal them together, creating one larger sheet.
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Using a round shape (like a plate) of about 20 cm (8 inches) as a guide, carefully slice a circle out of the puff pastry with a sharp knife. I found one of my dinner plates worked perfectly for this.
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Carefully transfer this round puff pastry base onto your lined baking tray.
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Generously spread the Boursin cheese over the puff pastry circle, ensuring an even layer. Leave about 1 cm (approximately half an inch) clear from the outer edge; this will help you seal the two pastry layers later.
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Lightly brush the clear edge of the pastry with a little water. This acts as a glue for the top layer.
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Using the remaining 4 sheets of puff pastry, create another identical circle, following steps 3 and 4. Carefully place this second puff pastry circle directly on top of the Boursin layer, aligning the edges.
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In the very center of the top pastry circle, place a small glass or a small bowl (about 5 cm / 2 inches in diameter). This will create the central hub of your “sun.”
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With a sharp knife, and using the glass as your guide, cut the puff pastry from the edge of the glass outwards into quarters.
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Now, cut each of these four quarters in half again. You will now have eight evenly spaced triangular strips of dough.
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Repeat this process, halving each of these eight triangles.
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For the final cut, halve each of those triangles once more. This will result in a total of 32 individual strands, resembling sun rays. The video tutorial provides a clear visual demonstration of this cutting technique. Remove the glass from the center.
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Gently take each pastry strand and twist it on its axis about 3 times. This creates the beautiful spiral effect and ensures the pastry bakes up light and flaky.
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In a small bowl, whisk the egg yolk with a tablespoon of water until well combined. Using a pastry brush, lightly brush this egg wash over each twisted pastry strand. This will give your Tarte Soleil a gorgeous golden shine.
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Generously sprinkle the Italian seasoning evenly over the entire pastry. Carefully place the baking tray into the preheated oven.
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Bake for approximately 20 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed, deeply golden brown, and crispy. Serve your Tarte Soleil immediately to enjoy its perfect texture and flavor.
Nutrition
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What Kitchen Essentials Did I Use to Prepare This Recipe?
Having the right tools can make all the difference in the kitchen, simplifying your cooking process and ensuring perfect results. Here are the kitchen utensils I used to prepare this delightful Tarte Soleil. If you click on the links, you’ll be taken to another page with a brief explanation of each item, and you’ll also have the option to order directly if you’re in need of an upgrade or new addition to your kitchen:
- A Good Pair of Knives: Essential for precise cuts, especially when shaping the puff pastry into sun rays.
- Cutting Board: A stable surface for all your prep work.
- Brushes, Spatulas, and Other Cooking Utensils: Particularly a pastry brush for the egg wash and a spatula for spreading the Boursin.
- Sheet Pan, Baking Tray, or Baking Sheet: To hold your Tarte Soleil during baking.
- Baking Paper or Baking Mat: Crucial for preventing sticking and easy cleanup.