Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
Whisk the flour, sugar, and salt together in the bowl of a food processor, stand mixer, or in a medium mixing bowl.
Pulse/stir/cut in the butter with a pastry blender, until the mixture resembles coarse meal.
Add the egg yolk, cream, and vanilla, and process/mix/stir until the dough gathers itself into a ball and pulls away cleanly from the sides of the bowl.
Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap, and chill for 1 hour.
Divide the chilled dough into 6 equal portions, and roll each to a thickness of ⅛-inch on a lightly floured surface.
Press the dough gently into 6 mini tart pans, trimming away any excess.
Prick the bottoms with the times of a fork, to allow steam to escape during baking.
Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, or until set in the middle and slightly golden around the edges.
Cool completely before filling.