Bakewell Tart

A Bakewell Tart is a delightful British dessert, known for its almond-flavored filling, a layer of jam, and a shortcrust pastry base. It’s a classic treat that’s perfect for tea time or any special occasion. Although it may seem a bit intricate, making your first Bakewell Tart can be a fun and rewarding baking experience. Here’s a simple, step-by-step recipe to guide you through.

My First Bakewell Tart Recipe

Ingredients:

For the Pastry:

• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup icing sugar (powdered sugar)
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes
• 1 egg yolk
• 2-3 tablespoons cold water

For the Filling:

• 1/2 cup raspberry jam (or any other jam you prefer, like strawberry or apricot)
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup caster sugar (superfine sugar)
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 cup ground almonds
• 1 tablespoon plain (all-purpose) flour
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• A handful of flaked almonds (for topping)

Instructions:

Step 1: Make the Pastry

1. Prepare the Pastry:
   • In a large bowl, sift together the flour and icing sugar. Add the cold butter cubes and rub them into the flour mixture using your fingertips, until it resembles breadcrumbs.
   • Add the egg yolk and mix it in. Gradually add the cold water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing with your hands until a dough starts to form. You may not need all the water, so add just enough to bring the dough together.
   • Turn the dough out onto a floured surface, shape it into a disc, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm up.

Step 2: Blind Bake the Pastry

2. Preheat the Oven:
   • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
3. Roll out the Pastry:
   • Once the dough has chilled, roll it out on a lightly floured surface to about 1/8 inch thick. Line a 9-inch tart tin with the pastry, pressing it gently into the edges. Trim off any excess pastry hanging over the edge of the tin.
   • Prick the bottom of the pastry with a fork to prevent it from puffing up during baking.
4. Blind Bake:
   • Line the pastry with parchment paper and fill it with baking beans or rice. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes.
   • After 10 minutes, remove the parchment paper and baking beans, and bake the pastry for another 5-8 minutes until lightly golden and crisp. Set aside to cool while you prepare the filling.

Step 3: Make the Filling

5. Prepare the Almond Filling:
   • In a medium bowl, beat the softened butter and caster sugar together until light and fluffy.
   • Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the almond extract and ground almonds. Sift in the flour and baking powder, and mix until well combined. The mixture should be smooth and slightly thick.

Step 4: Assemble the Tart

6. Layer the Jam and Almond Filling:
   • Spread the raspberry jam evenly over the base of the cooled tart shell.
   • Spoon the almond mixture on top of the jam and gently spread it out, smoothing the surface with the back of a spoon.
7. Add the Flaked Almonds:
   • Sprinkle a handful of flaked almonds over the top of the almond filling for a nice crunch and a golden finish.

Step 5: Bake the Tart

8. Bake:
   • Place the assembled tart in the oven and bake for about 25-30 minutes or until the filling is golden brown and firm to the touch. You can check the center with a skewer; it should come out clean when the tart is ready.

Step 6: Cool and Serve

9. Cool the Tart:
   • Remove the tart from the oven and allow it to cool completely in the tin before removing it. The tart will firm up as it cools.
10. Serve:
    • Once cooled, transfer the Bakewell Tart to a serving platter. You can dust it with a little icing sugar for an extra touch, and serve it with a cup of tea or coffee.

Tips:

• Jam Selection: Traditionally, raspberry jam is used in Bakewell Tart, but you can experiment with different fruit jams like strawberry or apricot, depending on your preference.
• Pastry Tip: If you’re short on time, you can also use store-bought shortcrust pastry to make this recipe easier.
• Decorating: If you prefer, you can decorate the top of the tart with icing in a crisscross pattern, which is often seen on the traditional version.

Bakewell Tart is a lovely dessert with a delightful combination of fruity jam and almond filling. It’s a perfect treat fo