Manchester Tart (England)

May 08, 2023May 8, 20230 14

A classic English dessert, Manchester Tart features a sweet pastry base filled with raspberry jam, a custard made with fresh breadcrumbs, and topped with sweetened coconut flakes.

by The Chefin Dessert

Prep

15 min

Cook

25 min

Ready In

40 min

Level

Easy

Rating

Ingredients

Nutrision Information

Servings Per Recipe

Calories

422

Sugar

22g

Fat

24g

Manchester Tart is a classic English dessert with a long history dating back to the 18th century. Originally created as a way to use up stale bread, this dessert is a combination of sweet pastry, raspberry jam, a creamy custard made with fresh breadcrumbs, and a topping of sweetened coconut flakes. The tart is often served at school dinners in the UK, and is a popular dessert choice at many traditional English pubs and restaurants.

Instructions

1.	Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2.	Roll out the puff pastry on a floured surface and use it to line a 9-inch (23cm) tart tin.
3.	Spread the raspberry jam evenly over the pastry base.
4.	In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, milk, melted butter, sugar, and egg yolks. Spread the mixture over the jam layer.
5.	Whisk the egg whites until stiff and then fold in the icing sugar. Spread the mixture evenly over the breadcrumb layer and sprinkle with coconut flakes.
6.	Bake in the oven for 25 minutes or until golden brown.
7.	Remove from the oven and allow to cool before slicing and serving.

PROS

A simple and delicious dessert that is highly versatile and can be served warm or cold.

The tart can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 days, making it the perfect make-ahead dessert for parties and special occasions.

CONS

The tart is quite high in calories and sugar, making it a dessert that should be enjoyed in moderation.

HEALTH & BENEFITS

While Manchester Tart is not the healthiest dessert option, it does contain some nutritional benefits. The raspberry jam provides a serving of fruit and some antioxidants, while the custard made with fresh breadcrumbs is higher in fiber and lower in fat than traditional custards made with cream. Additionally, the coconut flakes on top of the tart provide healthy fats that can help with satiety and energy.

	8 ounces puff pastry , thawed
	3 tablespoons raspberry jam
	4 ounces fresh white breadcrumbs
	10 fluid ounces milk
	1 ounce butter , melted
	1 ounce caster sugar
	2 eggs , separated
	4 ounces icing sugar