Quick Mini Cherry Bakewell Tarts Recipe: Sweet Homemade Delight

Sweet memories of childhood bakeries dance through my delightful mini cherry bakewell tarts, transporting you to cozy afternoons filled with delectable treats.

Memories of crumbly pastry and rich almond frangipane swirl together in these petite delights.

Perfectly balanced between tangy cherries and smooth, buttery filling, each bite promises pure comfort.

Delicate golden edges hint at the magic waiting inside these miniature wonders.

British pastry traditions shine through with classic ingredients and loving preparation.

Baking these small treasures connects generations, bringing warmth and joy to your kitchen.

You’ll fall in love with every single bite of these irresistible little tarts.

British Treats That Make Every Occasion Special

• Bake with Ease: Perfect for bakers of all skill levels, these classic British tarts require simple techniques anyone can master with basic kitchen tools.
• Create Delightful Treats: Versatile recipe allows personal touches like different jams or fruit toppings, making each batch unique and exciting for family and friends.
• Impress Without Stress: Elegant dessert that looks professionally made but comes together quickly, ideal for afternoon tea, gatherings, or special weekend baking adventures.
• Enjoy Nostalgic Flavors: Traditional recipe captures the comforting essence of British bakery treats, bringing a taste of classic culinary heritage to your kitchen with minimal effort.

Classic British Treats Ingredient Sheet

• All-Purpose Flour: A foundational ingredient that provides structure for the delicate tart pastry.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds a subtle sweetness to the pastry base.
• Cold Butter: Creates flaky, tender layers in the pastry crust.
• Egg Yolks: Helps bind the pastry and adds richness to the dough.
• Ice Water: Ensures the pastry remains cold and creates a tender texture.

• Raspberry Jam: Provides a sweet and fruity base layer for the tarts.
• Ground Almonds: Gives the frangipane a nutty flavor and smooth texture.
• Almond Extract: Enhances the almond flavor in the filling.
• Eggs: Helps bind the frangipane and provides structure.

• Icing Sugar: Creates a smooth, sweet glaze for the tarts.
• Milk: Helps create a smooth consistency for the icing.
• Glacé Cherries: Adds a decorative and sweet touch to the top of the tarts.

Baking Classic British Treats at Home

Step 1: Create Buttery Pastry Dough

Combine flour and sugar in a large mixing bowl.

Use a pastry cutter or cold knife to chop cold butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs.

Add egg yolks and splash of ice water.

Gently knead the dough until it comes together.

Divide the dough into two equal portions.

Wrap each portion in plastic wrap and refrigerate for half an hour to firm up.

Step 2: Prepare Tart Shells

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

Remove chilled dough from refrigerator.

Roll out pastry on a lightly floured surface to about 1/8 inch thickness.

Use a round cookie cutter to cut perfect circles.

Carefully press dough circles into mini tart tins, ensuring smooth sides.

Return lined tart shells to refrigerator to chill.

Step 3: Whip Up Almond Frangipane

In a mixing bowl, cream together softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

Fold in ground almonds, whole egg, and almond extract.

Mix until smooth and creamy.

Transfer the mixture to a piping bag for easy filling.

Step 4: Assemble Tart Layers

Spread a thin layer of raspberry jam into the chilled pastry shells.

Pipe the prepared frangipane mixture over the jam, creating a smooth, even layer.

Use a small spatula to seal edges carefully.

Step 5: Bake and Decorate

Slide tart tins into the preheated oven.

Bake for 12-15 minutes until golden brown and set.

Remove from oven and allow tarts to cool completely on a wire rack.

Prepare a simple glaze by whisking together powdered sugar and milk.

Drizzle glaze over cooled tarts.

Garnish each tart with a halved candied cherry for a classic British touch.

Tips from British Kitchens for Success

• Refrigerate pastry for at least 30 minutes to prevent shrinking and ensure a flaky, tender texture during baking.
• Use cold, cubed butter and work quickly to create a crumbly mixture that maintains small butter pieces for ultimate pastry lightness.
• Use a piping bag for even frangipane distribution, creating uniform and professional-looking tarts with minimal mess.
• Select high-quality, seedless raspberry or cherry jam for a smoother filling and more refined flavor profile.
• Use an oven thermometer to ensure accurate 180C/350F heat, preventing over or underbaking delicate tart shells.

British Treats Mixing Up the Classics

• Gluten-Free Tart Variation: Replace wheat flour with almond or coconut flour for a celiac-friendly version. Use gluten-free baking mix to maintain similar texture and structure.
• Vegan British Treat: Substitute butter with coconut oil or vegan margarine. Replace egg yolks with flax egg or aquafaba. Use plant-based milk for icing to create dairy-free alternative.
• Fruit Swap Variation: Exchange cherry topping with raspberries, strawberries, or blackberries. Experiment with different fruit jams like apricot or plum for unique flavor profiles.
• Low-Sugar Option: Use monk fruit sweetener instead of regular sugar. Reduce sugar content in frangipane and icing. Select fresh fruits with natural sweetness to maintain delicious taste.

British Treats Serving Ideas for Teatime

• Sweet Afternoon Tea Companion: Pair these delightful tarts with a classic Earl Grey tea, enhancing the almond and cherry flavors with its bergamot notes.
• Elegant Dessert Platter: Arrange tarts on a beautiful vintage plate, creating a stunning display alongside fresh berries and delicate mint leaves for color contrast.
• Celebratory Gathering Treat: Perfect for afternoon tea parties, bridal showers, or sophisticated family gatherings where guests can enjoy bite-sized, elegant pastries.
• Gifting Delicacy: Carefully package these tarts in a pretty box with parchment paper, making them a charming homemade gift for friends and loved ones who appreciate traditional British baking.

British Treats Storing for Future Enjoyment

• Store tarts in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.
• Wrap individual tarts tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bag. Freeze for maximum 2 months. Label with date.
• Transfer frozen tarts to refrigerator overnight. Let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving to restore texture.
• Warm tarts at 150C/300F for 5-7 minutes. Place on baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Watch carefully to prevent burning.

FAQs

• What are frangipane tarts made of?

Frangipane tarts are made with a buttery pastry crust, filled with sweet jam, and topped with an almond-based frangipane cream. The key ingredients include flour, butter, sugar, egg yolks, almonds, and almond extract.

• Are frangipane tarts difficult to make?

These tarts are moderately easy to make. The process involves creating a pastry dough, preparing a frangipane filling, and assembling the tarts carefully. The most challenging part is ensuring the pastry is rolled thin and the frangipane is piped neatly.

• Can I use different types of jam?

Yes, you can use various jam flavors like raspberry, strawberry, or apricot.

Mini Cherry Bakewell Tarts Recipe

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4.8 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Delightful mini cherry bakewell tarts bring British pastry charm to sweet dessert lovers. Buttery almond pastry, rich frangipane, and sweet cherry jam create perfect bite-sized treats you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Flour and Dry Ingredients:

• 250 grams (1 1/2 cups + 1 tablespoon) plain flour
• 60 grams (1/4 cup + 3 tablespoons) icing sugar
• 60 grams (1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons) ground almonds
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract

Fat and Butter Ingredients:

• 125 grams (1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon) cold unsalted butter, cubed
• 60 grams (1/4 cup) unsalted butter, room temperature

Wet and Sweet Ingredients:

• 2 large egg yolks
• 1 large egg
• 2–4 tablespoons ice water
• 60 grams (1/4 cup + 1 tablespoon) caster sugar
• Cherry jam/conserve
• 100 grams (1/2 cup + 3 tablespoons) icing sugar
• 3–5 teaspoons milk
• 12 glace cherries, halved

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Instructions

1. Craft the pastry foundation by combining flour and sugar, then methodically incorporate cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Introduce egg yolks and icy water to bind the ingredients, gently kneading into a cohesive dough. Partition the dough into two equal portions and refrigerate for half an hour to firm up.
2. Preheat the oven to 180°C. Roll the chilled dough to approximately 3mm thickness, using gentle, even pressure. Delicately cut circular shapes and carefully line mini tart tins, ensuring smooth edges. Return the lined tins to the refrigerator to maintain structural integrity.
3. Prepare the frangipane filling by thoroughly creaming butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Fold in ground almonds, a whole egg, and almond extract, creating a smooth, rich mixture. Transfer the blend into a piping bag for precise application.
4. Distribute a thin layer of jam across the chilled pastry cases. Pipe the frangipane mixture on top with controlled, even strokes, ensuring complete coverage. Meticulously seal the edges to prevent leakage during baking.
5. Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, watching for a golden-brown finish. Allow the tarts to cool completely on a wire rack, maintaining their delicate structure.
6. Whisk icing sugar with milk to create a glossy, smooth glaze. Drizzle or spread the icing over the cooled tarts. Garnish each tart with a halved glazed cherry for a classic British touch.

Notes

• Precision is key when cutting butter into flour, ensuring a crumbly texture that creates flaky, melt-in-your-mouth pastry.
• Chilling dough twice helps develop gluten structure and prevents shrinkage, resulting in a more stable and crisp tart shell.
• For gluten-free adaptation, substitute wheat flour with almond or rice flour blend, maintaining the delicate pastry consistency.
• Try different fruit preserves like raspberry or apricot to create unique flavor variations that complement the almond frangipane.

• Prep Time: 1 hour
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: British

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 208 kcal
• Sugar: 13 g
• Sodium: 30 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg