Top 8 British Tarts

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Treacle tart is a traditional dessert consisting of a shortcrust pastry filled with sugar syrup, breadcrumbs, lemon juice, and spices such as ginger, cinnamon, and cloves. Originally, treacle was the most inexpensive sweetener, so food historians believe that the dish was invented as a way for peasants to use up leftover bread. This classic dish is traditionally served warm, with a dollop of clotted cream, whipped cream, or a few scoops of ice cream on the side. Local variations include Yorkshire's treacle tart with added dried fruit and grated apple, and Suffolk's, which has eggs beaten into it for a custard-like result.Expand

Bakewell tart is a traditional dessert consisting of shortcrust pastry filled with fruit jam and a combination of sugar, eggs, ground almonds, and butter. The tart is baked so that it remains light and moist, and it is usually served warm, with a dollop of cream or a scoop of ice cream on the side. The name of the dish is a corruption of the words bad (bath) and kwell (source), referring to the numerous wells that used to flow in the Bakewell area of Derbyshire.Expand

Cherry Bakewell or Bakewell cake is a traditional version of Bakewell tart originating from Bakewell in Derbyshire. It’s essentially a traditional Bakewell tart that’s iced on top and adorned with a cherry. The pastry is made with a combination of flour, butter, and cold water; the frangipane is made with a mixture of butter, sugar, eggs, and ground almonds; and the cherry jam is made with cherries, raspberries, and sugar. The shortcrust pastry is baked, spread with cherry jam, and covered with frangipane. If desired, flaked almonds can be sprinkled over the tart, which is baked in the oven until the frangipane becomes golden. A single candied cherry is added on top for a nice finishing touch.Expand

This rich concoction of butter and dried fruits in a pastry shell originated from the small town of Ecclefechan in the south of Scotland. The filling traditionally consisted of chopped nuts and dried fruits - currants and sultanas, for the most part - mixed with brown sugar and a splash of white vinegar, although today many recipes call for a mixture of fruits, while some even add candied cherries. Ecclefechan butter tarts are the perfect choice for traditional Scottish festivities, especially when served warm, with a dollop of cream infused with whiskey and honey.Expand

Manchester tart is a traditional tart originating from Manchester, where it was a staple of school dinners until the mid-1980s. The tart consists of a shortcrust pastry base that's spread with raspberry jam and filled with custard, then topped with desiccated coconut and a Maraschino cherry. It is believed that the Manchester tart is derived from Manchester pudding, which dates back to 1860. The list of ingredients for the tart, whether full-size or individual, usually includes shortcrust pastry, milk, raspberry jam, eggs, butter, lemon peel, vanilla, desiccated coconut, sugar, and glace cherries. Once done, the tart is left to chill for a while, and it's then ready to be enjoyed.Expand

Gypsy tart is a classic Kentish dessert consisting of a shortcrust pastry filled with whipped evaporated milk and sugar. The tart is then baked and topped with powdered sugar. It can be served either warm or cold. Many believe that the dish was invented by a woman who wanted to feed some malnourished-looking gypsy children with anything she had in her home, so she baked them this tart. Regardless of the inventor, Gypsy tart became so popular that it was a staple of Kentish school menus from the 1960s to the 1980s.Expand

Yorkshire curd tart is a traditional tart originating from Yorkshire. This rustic tart is made by baking a shortcrust pastry base that's filled with a combination of curd cheese, sugar, eggs, butter, dried fruit such as currants, and spices, usually nutmeg. The egg whites are beaten until stiff, while the butter is beaten with the sugar, curd cheese, and egg yolks. The dried fruit and nutmeg are stirred in, and the beaten egg whites are folded into the mixture, which is then baked in a shortcrust pastry until golden brown. In the past, when many Yorkshire villages held fairs and feasts for Whitsuntide, these tarts were prepared with beestings – the first, extremely rich milk from newly calved cows. Nowadays, curd cheese is the classic substitute, while some even opt to add rosewater for extra flavor.Expand

Particularly popular in the west of Scotland, apple frushie is essentially an apple tart flavored with rose water and honey. The term frushie refers to the shortcrust pastry; it is an old Scots word for crumbly or brittle. Apple frushie typically features a beautiful lattice top which reflects the Victorian tradition of decorating. The Scottish people like to enjoy this dessert hot, often with a dollop of a decadent, whisky-infused cream on the side.Expand