Traditional Manchester Tart Recipe 🥥🍒
The Manchester Tart is a nostalgic British dessert, known for its flaky pastry base, sweet raspberry jam, creamy custard filling, and a sprinkle of desiccated coconut. Topped with a cherry for a charming finish, it's a retro treat that's perfect for pudding or afternoon tea! 🍵✨
Ingredients:
For the Pastry:
🌾 Plain flour: 200g
🧈 Butter: 100g, cubed and chilled
💧 Cold water: 2–3 tablespoons
🧂 Salt: A pinch
For the Filling:
🍇 Raspberry jam: 4 tablespoons
🥛 Whole milk: 500ml
🥚 Egg yolks: 3
🍚 Caster sugar: 50g
🌾 Cornflour: 2 tablespoons
🌞 Vanilla extract: 1 teaspoon
For the Topping:
🥥 Desiccated coconut: 3 tablespoons
🍒 Glacé cherries: 8–10
Method:
1. 🌡️ Preheat the oven and prepare the tin:
Preheat your oven to 180°C (fan) or 200°C. Grease a 23cm tart tin.
2. 🥄 Make the pastry:
In a bowl, rub the chilled butter into the flour and salt until it resembles breadcrumbs.
Add the cold water, one tablespoon at a time, and mix until a dough forms. Wrap in cling film and chill for 15 minutes.
3. 🍪 Blind bake the pastry:
Roll out the chilled pastry on a floured surface and line the tart tin. Prick the base with a fork, line with baking parchment, and fill with baking beans or rice.
Bake for 15 minutes, then remove the beans and parchment, and bake for another 5 minutes until golden. Cool completely.
4. 🍇 Spread the jam:
Once the pastry is cool, spread the raspberry jam evenly over the base.
5. 🥛 Make the custard:
In a saucepan, gently heat the milk until just warm.
In a separate bowl, whisk the egg yolks, sugar, cornflour, and vanilla extract until smooth. Gradually pour the warm milk into the egg mixture, whisking continuously.
Return the mixture to the saucepan and heat gently, stirring constantly, until thickened. Let it cool slightly, then pour over the jam in the tart case. Smooth the top.
6. 🥥 Add the coconut and cherries:
Sprinkle the desiccated coconut evenly over the custard. Top with glacé cherries, spacing them evenly around the tart.
7. ❄️ Chill and serve:
Refrigerate for at least 2 hours to set before slicing and serving.
Serving Information:
⏱ Prep Time: 30 minutes
⏱ Cook Time: 20 minutes
❄️ Chill Time: 2 hours
🍴 Servings: 8–10 slices
🔥 Calories: ~320 per slice
Tips:
🌟 For extra indulgence, add a thin layer of sliced bananas on top of the jam before adding the custard!
🧊 Store leftovers in the fridge and consume within 2 days.
🥥 Toast the desiccated coconut lightly for a nuttier flavour.
Enjoy this retro Northern delight with a cup of tea and a smile! 🍒