Using convenient prepackaged mini graham cracker shells means all you need to do is prepare a simple filling, spoon it into the shells, and add your favorite toppings.
From creamy chocolate and vanilla fillings to lemon, cheesecake, banana cream, coconut cream, and fresh fruit, there are so many ways to make these little tarts.
They're perfect for holidays, parties, showers, family gatherings, or anytime you need a quick dessert that looks like you spent much more time making it!
Why You Will Love Making These Mini Tarts
- Super easy: No homemade crust is required.
- Quick dessert: Most fillings take only minutes to prepare.
- No-bake options: Perfect when you don't want to turn on the oven.
- Easy to customize: Use different fillings and toppings for everyone.
- Perfect portions: Each little tart is ready to serve individually.
- Great for entertaining: Make several flavors on one dessert tray.
- Fresh and colorful: Berries and fruit make them beautiful enough for parties.
- Make-ahead friendly: Many varieties can be prepared ahead of serving.
Additional Mix-ins or Toppings Suggestions for Quick Mini Graham Cracker Tarts
One of the easiest ways to make these desserts look special is to use a simple premade filling and pile fresh fruit on top.- Strawberry Cream Tarts: Fill the shells with vanilla pudding, cheesecake filling, or whipped cream. Arrange sliced strawberries over the top and add a small spoonful of strawberry preserves for extra flavor.
- Blueberry Cheesecake Tarts: Use a no-bake cheesecake filling and top each tart with a spoonful of blueberry pie filling. Add a few fresh blueberries for a beautiful finish.
- Raspberry Cream Tarts: Fill the graham shells with vanilla or cheesecake filling. Add fresh raspberries and a light dusting of powdered sugar.
- Mixed Berry Tarts: Use strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries together. A simple vanilla cream filling makes the colorful fruit stand out.
- Peach Cream Tarts: Fill the shells with vanilla pudding or cheesecake filling. Add sliced peaches and a little whipped cream.
- Cherry Cheesecake Tarts: Fill each shell with no-bake cheesecake filling and top with cherry pie filling. Add a fresh cherry if available.
- Easy Cream Pie Variations: You can turn these little shells into individual versions of your favorite cream pies.
- Chocolate Cream: Chocolate pudding + whipped topping + chocolate curls.
- Banana Cream: Vanilla pudding + banana slices + whipped topping.
- Coconut Cream: Coconut pudding + whipped topping + toasted coconut.
- Lemon Cream: Lemon pie filling + whipped topping + lemon zest.
- Peanut Butter Cream: Vanilla pudding + creamy peanut butter + whipped topping + chopped peanuts.
- Key Lime: Prepared key lime pie filling + whipped topping + lime zest.
- Butterscotch Cream: Butterscotch pudding + whipped topping + caramel drizzle.
- Pistachio Cream: Pistachio pudding + whipped topping + chopped pistachios.
Tips for Making Mini Graham Cracker Tarts
- Keep the shells chilled. Refrigerating the filled tarts helps keep the crust firm.
- Don't overfill. Fill just to the top of the shell so the toppings don't spill over.
- Add fruit shortly before serving. Some fruits can release moisture and soften the filling. Use canned pie fillings for convenience.
- Cherry, blueberry, strawberry, and peach pie fillings are especially easy toppings. Make several flavors.
- Use one package of shells and create a variety of fillings for a dessert sampler. Add toppings at the last minute.
- Whipped cream, chocolate shavings, nuts, and fresh fruit look best when added close to serving time.
- For a prettier presentation, place the mini tarts on a large platter or tiered dessert stand.
Serving Dessert Table Ideas
- Birthday parties
- Baby showers
- Bridal showers
- Christmas parties
- Thanksgiving
- Easter
- Mother's Day
- Valentine's Day
- Potlucks
- Afternoon tea
- Family gatherings
- Dessert buffets
- For a party, make several varieties and arrange them together on one platter. The different colors and toppings make an easy dessert table look impressive.
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Yield: 12
Quick Mini Graham Cracker Tarts
These mini graham cracker tarts are one of the easiest desserts you can make when you want something homemade without spending hours in the kitchen
Ingredients
- 1. Easy Vanilla Cream Tarts
- Ingredients
- 1 package mini graham cracker tart shells
- 1 package instant vanilla pudding mix
- 1 1/2 cups cold milk
- 1 cup whipped topping
- Fresh strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries for topping
- 2. No-Bake Chocolate Cream Tarts
- Ingredients
- 1 package mini graham cracker tart shells
- 1 package instant chocolate pudding mix
- 1 1/2 cups cold milk
- 1 cup whipped topping
- Chocolate shavings or mini chocolate chips
- 3. Easy Lemon Cream Tarts
- Ingredients
- 1 package mini graham cracker tart shells
- 1 can lemon pie filling
- 1 cup whipped topping
- Fresh lemon zest
- Blueberries or raspberries, optional
- 4. No-Bake Cheesecake Tarts
- Ingredients
- 1 package mini graham cracker tart shells
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup whipped topping
- Fresh berries or pie filling
- 5. Easy Banana Cream Tarts
- Ingredients
- 1 package mini graham cracker tart shells
- 1 package instant vanilla pudding
- 1 1/2 cups cold milk
- 2 bananas, sliced
- 1 cup whipped topping
- Banana slices for garnish
- 6. Easy Coconut Cream Tarts
- Ingredients
- 1 package mini graham cracker tart shells
- 1 package instant coconut cream or vanilla pudding
- 1 1/2 cups cold milk
- 1 cup whipped topping
- 1/2 cup toasted coconut
Instructions
- Vanilla Cream Tart Directions
- Whisk the pudding mix and cold milk until thickened. Fold in the whipped topping until smooth and creamy.
- Spoon the filling into the mini graham cracker shells. Refrigerate until chilled and top with fresh fruit before serving.
- Chocolate Cream Tart Directions
- Whisk the pudding mix and milk until thick. Fold in the whipped topping.
- Fill each graham cracker shell and refrigerate until firm. Top with chocolate shavings, chocolate chips, or a small dollop of whipped cream.
- Lemon Tart Directions
- Stir the lemon pie filling until smooth. Gently fold in the whipped topping.
- Fill the tart shells and chill for at least 1 hour. Garnish with lemon zest and fresh berries.
- Tip: A tiny mint leaf makes these especially pretty for a party tray.
- Cheesecake Pie Directions
- Beat the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Fold in the whipped topping.
- Spoon into the tart shells and refrigerate until chilled. Top with strawberry, blueberry, cherry, or raspberry pie filling.
- Banana Cream Directions
- Prepare the vanilla pudding with the cold milk. Let it thicken, then fold in the whipped topping.
- Place a few banana slices into each graham cracker shell. Spoon the pudding mixture over the bananas.
- Chill until ready to serve and garnish with another banana slice and whipped topping.
- Tip: Add the final banana slices shortly before serving so they stay fresh-looking.
- Coconut Tart Directions
- Prepare the pudding according to the package directions using the cold milk. Fold in the whipped topping.
- Spoon into the tart shells and refrigerate. Sprinkle with toasted coconut before serving.
Notes
Additional Mix-ins or Toppings Suggestions for Quick Mini Graham Cracker Tarts
One of the easiest ways to make these desserts look special is to use a simple premade filling and pile fresh fruit on top.
- Strawberry Cream Tarts: Fill the shells with vanilla pudding, cheesecake filling, or whipped cream. Arrange sliced strawberries over the top and add a small spoonful of strawberry preserves for extra flavor.
- Blueberry Cheesecake Tarts: Use a no-bake cheesecake filling and top each tart with a spoonful of blueberry pie filling. Add a few fresh blueberries for a beautiful finish.
- Raspberry Cream Tarts: Fill the graham shells with vanilla or cheesecake filling. Add fresh raspberries and a light dusting of powdered sugar.
- Mixed Berry Tarts: Use strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries together. A simple vanilla cream filling makes the colorful fruit stand out.
- Peach Cream Tarts: Fill the shells with vanilla pudding or cheesecake filling. Add sliced peaches and a little whipped cream.
- Cherry Cheesecake Tarts: Fill each shell with no-bake cheesecake filling and top with cherry pie filling. Add a fresh cherry if available.
- Easy Cream Pie Variations: You can turn these little shells into individual versions of your favorite cream pies.
- Chocolate Cream: Chocolate pudding + whipped topping + chocolate curls.
- Banana Cream: Vanilla pudding + banana slices + whipped topping.
- Coconut Cream: Coconut pudding + whipped topping + toasted coconut.
- Lemon Cream: Lemon pie filling + whipped topping + lemon zest.
- Peanut Butter Cream: Vanilla pudding + creamy peanut butter + whipped topping + chopped peanuts.
- Key Lime: Prepared key lime pie filling + whipped topping + lime zest.
- Butterscotch Cream: Butterscotch pudding + whipped topping + caramel drizzle.
- Pistachio Cream: Pistachio pudding + whipped topping + chopped pistachios.
Tips for Making Mini Graham Cracker Tarts
- Keep the shells chilled. Refrigerating the filled tarts helps keep the crust firm.
- Don't overfill. Fill just to the top of the shell so the toppings don't spill over.
- Add fruit shortly before serving. Some fruits can release moisture and soften the filling. Use canned pie fillings for convenience.
- Cherry, blueberry, strawberry, and peach pie fillings are especially easy toppings. Make several flavors.
- Use one package of shells and create a variety of fillings for a dessert sampler. Add toppings at the last minute.
- Whipped cream, chocolate shavings, nuts, and fresh fruit look best when added close to serving time.
- For a prettier presentation, place the mini tarts on a large platter or tiered dessert stand.
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