Hairy Bikers Manchester Tart Recipe

Name: Hairy Bikers Manchester Tart
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Yield: Not specified
Cuisine: British
Ingredients: 500g ready-made shortcrust pastry; Butter for greasing; Plain flour for dusting; 200g raspberry jam; 300g fresh raspberries; 500ml full-fat milk; Vanilla essence; 5 egg yolks; 100g caster sugar; Cornflour or custard powder; 300ml whipped double cream; 75g toasted desiccated coconut; Maraschino cherries; Icing sugar for dusting

Delve into the delightful world of the Hairy Bikers Manchester Tart, a classic British dessert reimagined by the renowned duo. This tart stands out for its harmonious blend of textures and flavors, from the crispness of the shortcrust pastry to the smoothness of the custard and the freshness of raspberries, all layered beautifully to create a dessert that's as visually appealing as it is delicious.

Hairy Bikers Manchester Tart Recipe Overview

Ingredients for the Manchester Tart

For the Tart Base: Utilize ready-made shortcrust pastry (500g), ensuring it's rolled out thinly for a perfect crisp base. Grease your tart tin with butter and dust with plain flour for easy release.
Filling Essentials: Raspberry jam (200g) forms the first layer, topped with fresh raspberries (300g) and a custard made from a mixture of full-fat milk (500ml), vanilla essence, egg yolks (5), caster sugar (100g), and cornflour or custard powder.
Decoration and Finish: The tart is crowned with whipped double cream (300ml), additional fresh raspberries, toasted desiccated coconut (75g), and maraschino cherries, all dusted with a hint of icing sugar for a decorative finish.

Preparation Instructions: A Step-by-Step Guide

Preparation begins with the tart tin and oven: Preheat your oven and prepare your tart tin for the pastry.
Toast the Coconut: Lightly toast the desiccated coconut until golden, enhancing its flavor and texture.
Pastry Base Creation: Roll, line, and blind bake your shortcrust pastry in the prepared tart tin, ensuring it achieves a golden and crisp foundation.
Layering the Tart: Start with a generous spread of raspberry jam over the cooled pastry base, followed by a scattering of fresh raspberries.
Custard Making: Cook a rich custard flavored with vanilla, combining milk, egg yolks, sugar, and cornflour or custard powder, then cool slightly before folding in whipped double cream for a light, creamy texture.
Assembling: Pour the custard over the jam and raspberry layers, then decorate with the remaining raspberries, toasted coconut, and cherries.
Chilling: Allow the tart to set in the refrigerator, ensuring all layers meld together perfectly.

Storage and Reheating

Fridge: Store the tart in an airtight container, ideally consumed within 3-4 days for optimal freshness.
Freezing: For longer storage, freeze individual slices and thaw in the fridge overnight before serving.
Reheating: Gentle oven reheating is recommended if desired, though serving at room temperature may best preserve the textures.

Nutritional Information

Each slice offers a balance of sweetness and richness, with approximate values per serving including 508 kcal, 31.3g fat, 51.5g carbohydrates, and 7.9g protein.

FAQs about Manchester Tart

Advance Preparation: Yes, making the tart in advance is feasible and even advisable for the flavors to meld.
Using Store-bought Custard: A high-quality store-bought custard can substitute homemade for convenience.
Fruit Substitutions: Feel free to use strawberries, blueberries, or mixed berries as alternatives to raspberries.
Preventing a Soggy Base: Blind baking the pastry base is crucial to prevent sogginess.
Freezing: The tart can be frozen, though note that textures may slightly alter upon thawing.

This Hairy Bikers Manchester Tart is more than just a dessert; it's a celebration of texture, flavor, and the joy of baking. Whether for a special occasion or a weekend treat, it promises to delight and satisfy.