Prize Winning Festive Phyllo Tarts

A number of years ago I won a Maytag stove by entering this recipe in a Splenda contest. Both my husband and my son are diabetics, and I try to adapt recipes that can fit into their diets. This dessert is tasty enough, and looks elegant enough to be served for any occasion...just vary the optional toppings (listed below) to suit the occasion (ie, mincemeat for Thanksgiving or Christmas, , or simply dust with confectioners sugar if that would work with your carb allowance.

• Ready In: 40 mins
• Serves: 12
• Yields: 12 tarts

Ingredients

• FILLING

• 1 (8 ounce) package light cream cheese, softened
• 1⁄2 cup Splenda granular
• 2  eggs
• 1⁄2 cup light sour cream
• 1  teaspoon vanilla

• CRUST

• 4  sheets phyllo pastry, thawed in the package, in the fridge
• 2  tablespoons  soft margarine, melted (or butter, I probably use more)

• OPTIONAL TOPPINGS

• 6  tablespoons  any flavour  low sugar jam or 6  tablespoons  mincemeat or 6  tablespoons cranberry sauce or 6  tablespoons  lingonberry sauce or 6  tablespoons  of any selection of sliced  fresh fruit

Directions

1. For filling, beat cream cheese and Splenda until smooth.
2. Add eggs, sour cream, and vanilla, and beat well. I usually prepare the filling in the food processor. Set aside.
3. For crust, place 1 sheet of phyllo on a work surface (keep remainder covered with a damp tea towel to prevent drying out). Brush with melted margarine (or butter). Place a second sheet on top. Cut into 12 squares. Place 1 square in each greased muffin cup, leaving the corners of the square extending up into points. Repeat with remaining 2 sheets of phyllo, placing this next square on top of the phyllo lined muffin cups, but giving it a 1/4 turn, so the points fit between the existing ones (completed pastry should look like a tulip).
4. Divide cheese mixture between tart shells. If using optional filling drop 1/2 TBSP of any topping except fresh fruit, in center of each tart.
5. Bake at 375°F for 20 minutes, or until pastry is golden and filling is set.
6. Cool in muffin tin on a rack until only warm, then remove from tin to rack to finish cooling.
7. Store in the refrigerator.
8. Garnish with fresh fruit (and a sprinkle of powdered sugar) if using that option.