🎄 Festive Cream Cheese Tart with Pomegranate & Pistachios

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🧀 A Tart to Impress This Holiday Season

Let’s be honest—holiday appetizers are often underrated. But once you try this creamy goat cheese tart, crowned with glistening pomegranate seeds and crunchy pistachios, you’ll realize it deserves a centerpiece spot at your Christmas table! 🎄✨

Not only is it visually stunning (hello, jewel-toned toppings!), but it’s also make-ahead friendly and surprisingly simple to throw together. Whether you’re hosting a big gathering or a cozy Christmas Eve dinner, this tart brings freshness, tang, crunch, and a little sparkle to your starter spread.

📝 Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Tart Shell:

  • 1 sheet shortcrust pastry
  • 10g unsalted butter
  • 30g gomasio (a Japanese blend of sesame seeds & salt)

For the Creamy Filling:

  • 300g fresh goat cheese or ricotta
  • 20g finely diced radish
  • 15g chopped chives
  • Zest of ½ orange
  • 1 tsp freshly ground pepper
  • 4 tbsp olive oil

To Garnish:

  • 180g pomegranate seeds
  • 30g crushed pistachios
  • 8g chopped parsley or fresh herbs of your choice

👩‍🍳 How to Make This Cream Cheese Tart

1. Prep the Crust

Preheat your oven to 200°C (392°F).
Unroll the shortcrust pastry and place it upside down over an inverted pie dish. This helps create a flatter tart shell with no edges.
Brush with melted butter and sprinkle the gomasio all over for extra crunch and a salty kick.
Bake for 20 minutes, or until golden and crisp. Let it cool fully before adding your filling.

Pro Tip:
You can also bake the tart base a day ahead and store it in an airtight container!

2. Make the Filling

In a bowl, mix the goat cheese (or ricotta) with radish, chives, orange zest, pepper, and olive oil. The result? A creamy, zesty, herby dream.

If using ricotta, make sure it’s well-drained so your tart doesn’t get soggy.

3. Assemble the Tar

Once the tart shell is cool, gently spread the cheese mixture into the base. Don’t press too hard—you want it to stay light and fluffy!

Sprinkle pomegranate seeds generously over the top, followed by crushed pistachios for crunch and a pop of green. Finish with fresh herbs like parsley or dill for that final festive touch.

💡 Why You’ll Love This Tart

✔️ Make-Ahead Friendly: Assemble it a few hours before serving and refrigerate.
✔️ Balanced Flavor: Creamy, tangy, sweet, salty, crunchy—it’s got it all.
✔️ Visually Stunning: The jewel-like toppings make it festive and photo-worthy.
✔️ Flexible Ingredients: Swap goat cheese with ricotta, or pistachios with walnuts.

📌 Keira’s Tips & Tricks

  • Don’t Skip the Gomasio: It adds a subtle sesame crunch and elevates the crust like magic.
  • Make Mini Versions: Use a muffin tin to create bite-sized tartlets for a cocktail party!
  • Add a Drizzle: A light honey drizzle before serving takes this tart to dessert-territory—in the best way.

🥂 Serving Suggestions

Serve this tart chilled or at room temperature, ideally with a glass of crisp white wine or champagne. It pairs beautifully with a leafy green salad or alongside other finger foods for a holiday buffet.

Hosting a full dinner? This tart works wonderfully as a first course before a roast or a hearty vegetarian main.

🧊 Storage & Make-Ahead Notes

  • The crust can be baked a day in advance.
  • The filling can be prepped and stored separately in the fridge for up to 24 hours.
  • Assemble the tart 1–4 hours before serving and refrigerate to let the flavors mingle.

📣 Final Thoughts

This Cream Cheese Tart with Pomegranate & Pistachios is a showstopper, yet it’s so simple to pull off. It’s colorful, festive, and full of textures that keep every bite interesting. Plus, it’s a refreshing change from the heavy, carb-loaded starters that dominate most holiday tables.

Whether you’re bringing a dish to a potluck or hosting a classy holiday dinner at home, this tart guarantees compliments—and requests for the recipe. 😉

Don’t forget to pin this recipe for later and tag @KeiraRecipes on Instagram if you make it. Happy holidays and happy hosting! 🎄❤️