Bakewell tart
- 1 pound, or 1 recipe, sweet tart pastry
- 11/3 cups unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 1 cup plus 6 tablespoons sugar
- 3 extra-large eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3¼ cups ground almonds
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3–4 tablespoons strawberry jam
- 2 tablespoons apricot jam, mixed with 1–2 teaspoons boiling water
Instructions:
This favorite English tart, named for the town of Bakewell in
Derbyshire, has a long history, with similar tarts dating back to medieval times.
- Roll out the pastry on a floured surface to about 1/8-inch thickness. Use it to line a tart pan with a removable bottom that is 9–10 inches in diameter and about 1½ inches deep. Leave a little excess pastry hanging over the sides of the pan. Let rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Gather up the pastry trimmings and roll out into a rough rectangle. Transfer to a baking sheet. Use a ruler to help you cut the pastry into neat ½- inch-wide strips. These will be used to decorate the tart. Refrigerate.
- Line the tart shell with foil and fill with pie weights. Bake until set and lightly golden, 15–20 minutes. Remove the foil and weights and return to the oven to bake until golden brown, about 5 minutes longer. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool slightly. Reduce the oven temperature to 350°F.
- For the filling, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in the eggs and vanilla, then fold in the ground almonds and flour.
- Trim the edges of the pastry shell level with the rim of the pan. Spoon a thin layer of strawberry jam over the bottom of the pastry shell, then spread the almond mixture over the jam. Use the pastry strips to create a lattice pattern on top of the filling, trimming off any ends that stick out. Bake until the top is a light golden brown, 35–40 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly. While the tart is still warm, brush the apricot glaze over the top. Let cool completely before slicing and serving.