Traditional Yorkshire Curd Tart 🧀🥧
A classic treat from Yorkshire, this curd tart is a beautifully spiced, lightly sweetened pastry filled with curd cheese, dried fruits, and a hint of nutmeg. It’s a delightful and historic dessert, perfect with a cup of tea!
Ingredients
🍞 For the Pastry:
🌾 Plain flour: 200g
🧈 Unsalted butter: 100g, chilled and cubed
🍬 Icing sugar: 2 tbsp
🥚 Egg yolk: 1 large
🥛 Cold water: 2-3 tbsp
🧀 For the Filling:
🧀 Curd cheese: 300g (or cottage cheese, well-drained)
🍬 Caster sugar: 75g
🥚 Eggs: 2 large, beaten
🍇 Currants or sultanas: 75g
🧈 Butter: 25g, melted
🌶️ Ground nutmeg: 1/2 tsp (plus extra for dusting)
🍋 Lemon zest: 1 small lemon
Method
🥧 Make the Pastry
🌡️ Preheat the oven to 180°C (fan).
🌾 In a mixing bowl, rub the chilled butter into the flour until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Stir in the icing sugar.
🥚 Add the egg yolk and a little cold water, mixing gently to form a dough. Wrap in cling film and chill for 30 minutes.
🧊 Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured surface and line a 20cm tart tin. Trim off any excess pastry, prick the base with a fork, and chill for 10 minutes.
🍳 Line the pastry with baking parchment and baking beans. Blind bake for 10 minutes, then remove the parchment and beans and bake for another 5 minutes.
🧀 Make the Filling
🧈 In a large bowl, mix together the curd cheese, sugar, beaten eggs, melted butter, currants, lemon zest, and nutmeg until well combined.
🔥 Bake the Tart
🥄 Spoon the filling into the pre-baked pastry case and smooth the top. Dust with a little extra nutmeg.
🌡️ Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the filling is set and lightly golden.
❄️ Cool and Serve
✨ Allow the tart to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy warm or at room temperature, with a cup of tea for a proper Yorkshire treat!
Serving Information
⏱ Prep Time: 20 minutes (+ chilling)
⏳ Cook Time: 35 minutes
🍴 Serves: 6-8 slices
🔥 Calories: ~280 per slice
Tips:
🧊 Use well-drained cottage cheese if you can’t find traditional curd cheese.
🍋 Add a little extra lemon zest for a brighter flavour.
❄️ Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days – it’s just as delicious the next day!
This Yorkshire curd tart, with its sweet, spiced filling and buttery pastry, is a timeless British classic. Enjoy every bite with a good brew! 🧀☕✨