Maids of Honour – Old English Tudor Cheesecakes

May 08, 2023May 8, 20230 1
Maids of Honour - Old English Tudor Cheesecakes
in Dessert

Prep

30 min

Cook

25 min

Ready In

55 min

Level

Easy

Rating

1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars
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Ingredients

230 g pre-made puff pastry
110 g curd cheese or 110 g cottage cheese , which has been sieved
50 g soft brown sugar
2 large eggs , beaten
2 tablespoons single cream
1 tablespoon orange flower water or 1 tablespoon rose water
75 g ground almonds
50 g mixed dried fruit , such as seedless raisins and
candied peel , chopped
icing sugar , for sifting

Nutrision Information

Servings Per Recipe
12
Calories
433
Sugar
18g
Fat
31g
Maids of Honour, also known as Old English Tudor Cheesecakes, are a classic dessert that dates back to the 16th century. These small, sweet tartlets are traditionally made with curd cheese, eggs, cream, and a variety of dried fruits and nuts, all baked in buttery puff pastry. The recipe is said to have been a favourite of Anne Boleyn, the second wife of King Henry the VIII, hence the name. Maids of Honour are perfect for an afternoon tea or as a sweet treat after dinner.

Instructions

1.Preheat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan) gas mark 6.
2.Roll out the pastry to about the thickness of a £1 coin. Using a 10cm cutter, stamp out 12 rounds and use them to line a 12-hole deep bun tin.
3.In a mixing bowl, beat the curd cheese with the soft brown sugar until well combined. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then stir in the cream and orange or rose water.
4.Mix in the ground almonds and mixed dried fruit. Spoon the mixture into the pastry cases.
5.Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the filling is firm and the pastry is golden-brown and puffed up.
6.Take out the tins and leave the maids of honour inside for five minutes then take them out carefully. Cool on a wire rack and sift over some icing sugar to decorate before serving.

PROS

A delicious dessert that’s the perfect balance of sweet and tangy.
The puff pastry provides a crispy texture that contrasts well with the creamy, fruity filling.

CONS

The ingredients in this recipe can be difficult to find in some areas, and it takes a bit of effort to prepare the pastry cases.
The recipe is also high in fat, sugar, and calories, so it should be enjoyed in moderation.

HEALTH & BENEFITS

While this dessert is not particularly healthy, it does provide some nutritional benefits. The almonds in the filling are a good source of protein, fiber, and healthy fats, while the dried fruit provides vitamins and minerals.

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