Nigella Bakewell Tart
Discover the delightful charm of Nigella Lawson's Bakewell Tart, a quintessential British dessert that perfectly balances the nuttiness of almonds with the sweet tartness of jam. This vegan-friendly adaptation offers a modern twist on the classic, ensuring everyone can enjoy its exquisite taste.
A Brief Description of Nigella Lawson's Bakewell Tart Nigella's Bakewell Tart is a modern take on the traditional English dessert. Known for its rich almond flavor and fruity jam layer, this version is made vegan-friendly without compromising on its decadent taste. The use of shortcrust pastry, almond essence, and soya milk brings a delightful texture and flavor that's both comforting and indulgent.
Cultural or Historical Context The Bakewell Tart has its roots in the picturesque town of Bakewell in Derbyshire, England. Traditionally, it consists of a shortcrust pastry shell with a layer of jam and a frangipane filling. Nigella's version maintains the essence of this beloved dessert while making it accessible to those following a vegan diet.
Ingredients for the Bakewell Tart
- Shortcrust pastry: 175 grams
- Your choice of jam: 2 tablespoons
- Self-raising flour (sieved): 200 grams
- Baking powder (sieved): 1 teaspoon
- Caster sugar: 200 grams
- Ground almonds: 50 grams
- Almond essence: 1 drop
- Soya milk: 200 millilitres
- Vegetable oil: 80 millilitres
- Icing sugar (sieved): 50 grams
- Flaked almonds: 50 grams
- Glace cherries (optional): 50 grams
Preparation Instructions
- Preheat your oven and prepare a baking tray. Roll out the pastry to line a tart tin and chill.
- Bake the pastry with weights, then remove and prepare for filling.
- Mix the dry ingredients, then incorporate the wet ingredients to form the filling.
- Spread jam on the pastry base, add the filling, and bake until set.
- Cool, glaze with icing sugar, and decorate with flaked almonds and cherries if desired.
Storage and Reheating To maintain freshness, store the Bakewell Tart in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for longer storage. For reheating, a brief warm-up in the oven will revive its texture and flavors.
Nutritional Information A slice of Nigella's Bakewell Tart offers a balance of sweet and nutty flavors, with nutritional content varying based on specific ingredients used, especially in vegan adaptations. For detailed nutritional values, consider the ingredients and their quantities.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use any type of jam? Yes, feel free to use your favorite jam to customize the flavor.
- Is it possible to make this tart gluten-free? Yes, by substituting the self-raising flour with a gluten-free alternative and ensuring your baking powder is gluten-free.
- Can I substitute another plant-based milk for soya milk? Absolutely, almond or oat milk could be a great alternative, complementing the almond flavor of the tart.
Enjoy this delightful Bakewell Tart with a cup of tea, embodying the essence of British baking with a vegan twist. Whether for a special occasion or a cozy afternoon treat, it's sure to impress.
Original recipe adapted from Nigella Lawson.