Cherry Cheesecake Almond Tarts

Directions

Almond pastry for tarts: mix together flour, chopped almonds, sugar, and salt.

Cut butter into mixture until texture resembles coarse crumbs.

Tarts: preheat oven to 400℉ (200℃).

Press 1 tablespoon almond pastry into 2½ inch tart pans.

Prick pastry with fork.

Bake 5 to 10 minutes until lightly browned.

Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth.

Add egg, lemon juice, lemon peel and almond extract and blend well.

Spoon 1 teaspoon cherries over pastry.

Pour cream cheese mixture over cherries.

Reduce oven temperature to 350℉ (180℃).

Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until cream cheese layer is set.

Cool completely before removing from tart pans.

Top each tart with warmed apricot preserves.