Irresistible Manchester Tart Recipe: A Sweet British Classic

Sweet memories of childhood bakeries sparkle in this manchester tart, a nostalgic dessert with roots deep in northern england’s culinary landscape.

Generations have savored its creamy custard and vibrant raspberry jam layers.

Crisp pastry cradles a delightful combination of flavors that dance across your palate.

Bakers cherish this classic treat for its simplicity and comforting taste.

Unexpected twists of vanilla and coconut add depth to the traditional recipe.

Simple ingredients come together to create something truly magical.

Whip up this manchester tart and let pure deliciousness inspire your next baking adventure.

Answers To Questions On Mary Berry Manchester Tart

• What is the origin of Manchester Tart?

This classic dessert originated in Manchester, England, during the late 19th century, becoming a popular school dinner treat in the mid-20th century.

• Can I make the pastry in advance?

Yes, you can prepare the pastry dough up to 2 days ahead and store it wrapped in the refrigerator until ready to use.

• Is it important to blind bake the pastry?

Absolutely! Blind baking prevents a soggy bottom and ensures a crisp, golden pastry base that holds the custard perfectly.

• How do I know when the custard is the right thickness?

The custard is ready when it coats the back of a spoon and leaves a clear line when you run your finger through it, typically taking about 3-5 minutes of gentle stirring.

What’s Great About Mary Berry Manchester Tart

• Create Nostalgic Dessert: Manchester tart brings classic British bakery charm straight to your kitchen, rekindling memories of traditional teatime treats.
• Master Pastry Skills: Perfect opportunity to practice delicate pastry techniques like blind baking and creating smooth custard, boosting your baking confidence.
• Family-Friendly Showstopper: Colorful cherries and coconut topping make this dessert visually appealing and exciting for kids and adults, transforming an ordinary meal into a special occasion.
• Simple Ingredient Magic: Uses basic pantry staples like milk, eggs, and flour, making it accessible for home bakers without requiring expensive or hard-to-find ingredients.

Mary Berry Manchester Tart Ingredients Guide

• Flour: The foundation of the tart's crisp and delicate crust.
• Butter: Provides rich flavor and creates a flaky texture in the pastry.
• Egg: Helps bind the pastry dough and adds structure.
• Water: Assists in bringing the pastry dough together.

• Sugar: Adds sweetness to the creamy custard.
• Egg Yolks: Create a rich and smooth custard base.
• Milk: Forms the primary liquid for the creamy custard.
• Vanilla: Enhances the overall flavor profile of the custard.
• Raspberry Jam: Provides a sweet and tangy layer at the bottom of the tart.

• Desiccated Coconut, Glacé Cherries: Add texture, color, and a classic Manchester tart finish to the dessert.

Easy Method For Mary Berry Manchester Tart

Step 1: Prepare Buttery Pastry Dough

Grab cold butter and rub it into flour until the mixture looks like fine breadcrumbs. Add egg and water, then gently form the dough without overworking it. Wrap the dough in plastic and let it rest in the refrigerator for half an hour.

Step 2: Shape and Chill Pastry Shell

Roll out the chilled dough and carefully line a tart tin. Use a fork to prick small holes across the base. Return the lined tin to the refrigerator to rest again.

Step 3: Blind Bake the Pastry

Preheat the oven to 200°C. Bake the pastry shell with pie weights for 10 minutes. Remove the weights and continue baking for another 10 minutes until golden. Allow the pastry to cool completely.

Step 4: Create Jammy Base

Spread a generous layer of raspberry jam across the bottom of the cooled pastry shell, creating a sweet foundation.

Step 5: Whip Up Creamy Custard

• Sugar
• Flour
• Egg yolks

Heat milk until it’s steaming hot. Slowly pour the hot milk into the egg mixture, whisking continuously. Transfer the mixture back to the pan.

Step 6: Cook Custard to Perfection

Stir the custard over low heat, cooking until it thickens beautifully. Add a splash of vanilla for extra flavor.

Step 7: Fill and Finish the Tart

Pour the silky custard into the jam-lined pastry shell. Smooth the top with a spatula. Sprinkle shredded coconut across the surface and garnish with bright red cherries.

Step 8: Chill and Serve

Refrigerate the tart for at least 6 hours or overnight. This allows the flavors to meld and the custard to set perfectly. Slice and serve chilled for a traditional Manchester treat.

Tips To Get Mary Berry Manchester Tart Just Right

• Butter Blending Technique: Rub cold butter into flour using fingertips for a perfect crumbly pastry texture that ensures a delicate, flaky base.
• Dough Chilling Secret: Always refrigerate pastry dough for 30 minutes to relax gluten and prevent shrinkage during baking, creating a more stable tart shell.
• Custard Consistency Tip: Whisk milk into egg mixture gradually and stir constantly over low heat to prevent scrambling and achieve a smooth, silky custard.
• Flavor Boost Hack: Toast coconut briefly before sprinkling to enhance its nutty flavor and add a delightful golden-brown color to the tart's topping.

Variations To Try With Mary Berry Manchester Tart

• Gluten-Free Version: Replace wheat flour with almond or rice flour for a celiac-friendly pastry base.
• Vegan Adaptation: Swap egg and milk with coconut milk, use plant-based butter, and substitute egg yolks with cornstarch for thickening custard.
• Low-Sugar Option: Use sugar-free jam, stevia instead of sugar, and reduce overall sweetness while maintaining flavor profile.
• Dairy-Free Alternative: Replace cow's milk with almond or oat milk, use coconut cream for custard, and maintain the traditional Manchester tart texture.

What To Pair With Mary Berry Manchester Tart

• Pair with Sweet Sherry: Select a golden cream sherry that complements the tart's rich custard and adds elegant sweetness to each bite.
• Serve with Earl Grey Tea: Brew a warm cup of fragrant Earl Grey, whose bergamot notes beautifully enhance the vanilla and coconut flavors in the Manchester tart.
• Match with Vanilla Cream Liqueur: Pour a chilled glass of smooth vanilla cream liqueur that echoes the dessert's creamy texture and deepens its delicate sweetness.
• Accompany with Fresh Raspberries: Add a small side of fresh raspberries to provide a tart contrast and bright color against the tart's golden custard and coconut topping.

Storage Tips For Mary Berry Manchester Tart

• Store covered with plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep the tart away from strong-smelling foods to prevent flavor absorption.
• Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for maximum 1 month. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before serving.
• Cut individual portions, wrap separately in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bag. Keeps up to 2 weeks. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes.
• Warm gently in oven at 150°C for 10-15 minutes. Avoid microwave as it can make pastry soggy. For best texture, serve slightly chilled or at room temperature.

Manchester Tart Recipe

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4.8 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 6 hours 50 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Manchester tart brings nostalgic British dessert charm to your table with creamy custard and vibrant raspberry jam nestled in a buttery pastry shell. Sweet memories of classic British baking dance on your palate, inviting comfort and delightful indulgence.

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Ingredients

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Pastry Base:

• 250 grams (8.8 ounces) plain flour
• 125 grams (4.4 ounces) cold butter
• 3 tablespoons plain flour
• 1 egg
• 3 egg yolks

Filling:

• 450 milliliters (15.2 fluid ounces) milk
• 60 grams (2.1 ounces) sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Toppings:

• 1/2 cup strawberry or raspberry jam
• 1/2 cup desiccated coconut
• 8 Maraschino cherries
• 2 tablespoons cold butter

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Instructions

1. Prepare pastry by crumbling cold butter into flour until resembling fine breadcrumbs.
2. Incorporate egg and water, gently forming a cohesive dough without overworking.
3. Refrigerate pastry for 30 minutes to firm up and relax gluten.
4. Roll out chilled dough and carefully drape into tart tin, trimming edges neatly.
5. Pierce base with fork to prevent rising, then return to refrigerator for 15 minutes.
6. Preheat oven to 200°C and blind bake pastry with weights for 10 minutes.
7. Remove weights and continue baking for additional 10 minutes until golden.
8. Allow pastry shell to cool completely at room temperature.
9. Spread a generous layer of raspberry jam evenly across the cooled pastry base.
10. Whisk egg yolks with sugar and flour in a separate bowl until smooth.
11. Heat milk until just steaming, then gradually pour into egg mixture while continuously whisking.
12. Transfer mixture back to pan and cook over low heat, stirring constantly until custard thickens.
13. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla extract, and let cool slightly.
14. Gently pour warm custard over jam layer, ensuring even distribution.
15. Sprinkle desiccated coconut across the surface and garnish with halved glacé cherries.
16. Refrigerate for minimum 6 hours to set completely before serving.

Notes

• Chill the pastry thoroughly to prevent shrinkage and ensure a crisp, flaky texture.
• Use cold butter and work quickly when making the pastry to maintain its delicate structure.
• For a gluten-free version, substitute regular flour with almond or gluten-free flour blend.
• Consider using fresh cherries instead of glacé cherries for a more natural, vibrant flavor profile.

• Prep Time: 6 hours 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: British

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 420 kcal
• Sugar: 30 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 8 g
• Cholesterol: 180 mg