The Ultimate Cherry Bakewell Tart Recipe: A Step-by-Step Guide

The Cherry Bakewell Tart. Just the name conjures images of delicate pastry, sweet almond filling, and the juicy burst of cherries. This classic British treat is surprisingly easy to make at home, and the results are incredibly rewarding. This comprehensive guide will walk you through each step, ensuring your bakewell tarts are perfect every time.

Ingredients You'll Need:

This recipe provides enough for approximately 6 individual tarts or one large tart. Adjust quantities as needed.

For the Pastry:

• 175g plain flour
• 75g cold unsalted butter, cubed
• 25g ground almonds
• 25g icing sugar
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1-2 tbsp iced water

For the Almond Filling:

• 75g unsalted butter, softened
• 75g ground almonds
• 75g caster sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp almond extract (optional, but recommended!)

For the Topping:

• 150g good quality cherry jam (or make your own!)
• Approximately 200g fresh or frozen cherries, pitted. (If using frozen, ensure they are thawed and patted dry.)

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Making the Pastry:

1. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, sift together the flour and icing sugar. Add the ground almonds.
2. Rub in the Butter: Add the cold, cubed butter and use your fingertips to rub it into the flour mixture until it resembles breadcrumbs.
3. Bind the Dough: Add the egg yolk and gradually add iced water, mixing until the dough just comes together. Avoid overmixing.
4. Chill the Dough: Form the dough into a disc, wrap it in cling film, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This prevents shrinkage during baking.

2. Preparing the Almond Filling:

1. Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a separate bowl, cream together the softened butter and caster sugar until light and fluffy.
2. Add the Egg and Almonds: Beat in the egg, then gently fold in the ground almonds and almond extract (if using).

3. Assembling and Baking the Tarts:

1. Roll and Shape: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled pastry to about 3mm thickness. Use a 10cm (or your preferred size) round cutter to cut out circles.
2. Line the Tart Tins: Gently press the pastry circles into individual tart tins or a larger tart tin. Trim any excess pastry.
3. Add the Filling: Spoon a generous amount of the almond filling into each pastry case.
4. Top with Jam and Cherries: Spread a thin layer of cherry jam over the almond filling. Arrange the cherries on top.
5. Bake: Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (160°C fan/Gas Mark 4) for 20-25 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and the filling is set.
6. Cool and Enjoy: Let the tarts cool completely in the tins before carefully removing them. Dust with icing sugar (optional) and enjoy!

Tips for the Perfect Cherry Bakewell Tart:

• Use good quality ingredients: The flavour of your bakewell tart will be directly impacted by the quality of your ingredients. Invest in good butter, almonds, and cherry jam.
• Don't overbake: Overbaking will result in dry pastry and a tough filling. Keep a close eye on them during baking.
• Chill the dough: Chilling the dough is crucial for preventing shrinkage and ensuring a crisp pastry.
• Get creative with variations: Experiment with different types of cherries, add a sprinkle of flaked almonds to the top, or use a different type of jam.

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By following this detailed recipe and tips, you’ll be well on your way to baking delicious Cherry Bakewell Tarts that will impress your friends and family! Remember to share your baking creations using relevant hashtags on social media to extend your reach and engagement.