Moms Strawberry Tartlets

• 1 1/2 cups hulled quartered strawberries
• 1/2 cup plus 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
• Nonstick cooking spray
• 5 ounces Maria crackers (about 32 crackers; see page 205) or graham crackers (about 10 whole crackers)
• 1/4 cup (packed) minced piloncillo (about 2 ounces) or dark brown sugar
• 8 tablespoons (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cubed
• Two 8-ounce packages cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup sour cream

1. Mix the strawberries and the 3 tablespoons granulated sugar in a small bowl to combine.
2. Let the strawberries macerate at room temperature for 1 hour.
3. Preheat the oven to 350F.
4. Place six 3 1/2 x 3/4-inch tartlet pans with removable bottoms on a baking sheet.
5. Spray the tartlet pans with nonstick cooking spray.
6. Combine the crackers and piloncillo in a food processor, and process to form coarse crumbs.
7. Add the butter and process until the crumbs come together.
8. Press the crumbs into the prepared tartlet pans.
9. Bake for 10 minutes, or until the tartlet shells are golden brown.
10. Let them cool completely.
11. Using an electric mixer, whip the cream cheese and sour cream in a bowl until fluffy.
12. Add the remaining 1/2 cup granulated sugar and whip until well combined.
13. Drain the strawberries from the macerating liquid, reserving 2 tablespoons of the liquid.
14. Fold the strawberries and the reserved liquid into the cream cheese mixture.
15. Spoon the strawberry filling into the tartlet shells, dividing it equally.
16. (The tarts can be prepared 1 day ahead.
17. Cover and refrigerate.)
18. Maria crackers are round sweet cookies with a vanilla flavor.
19. They are the Mexican version of the English Marie biscuit.
20. One of the most popular methods of eating Galletas Marias in Mexico is to spread cajeta, a goats-milk caramel spread (see page 212), on a cracker and top it with another one to make a sandwich; this was the usual dessert in my lunchbox.
21. They can be used in layered desserts as you would use ladyfingers.

strawberries, sugar, nonstick cooking spray, maria crackers, brown sugar, cold unsalted butter, cream cheese, sour cream

Taken from www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/mom-s-strawberry-tartlets-387024 (may not work)