How To Make Jam Tarts With Shortcrust Pastry

Have you found yourself with a delicious jar of jam that never seems to get used up? Or maybe you were gifted with some rather small jars of jam – so cute, but what to do with them? Well, now there’s an easy solution! Make these queen-of-hearts (stars, in this case) jam tarts! They are so easy and fun to make, plus they make a great sweet treat for any occasion. All you need is the leftover jam, shortcrust pastry and an oven to bake in – it’s simply too easy! So why not get creative and whip up those easy jam tarts today?

Easy jam tart recipe

Jam tarts have been around for centuries, with their origins dating as far back as the 1600s. At first, they were simply small pies filled with either a sweet or savoury filling and served to the wealthy as a luxurious dessert. Over time, the size of jam tarts decreased, and their deliciousness increased! Today, traditional recipes included jam-filled shortcrust pastry that is baked in a tart tin until golden brown. These treats are perfect for any gathering – from afternoon tea to birthday parties – and can be enjoyed by all ages.

What type of pastry for jam tarts

The type of pastry used to make jam tarts is usually a shortcrust pastry. This is because it’s easy to roll out and form into the shape of a tart tin. Shortcrust pastry is also very flaky, which helps to ensure that the jam filling remains intact during baking. Additionally, this type of pastry can be adapted to suit different recipes, such as adding sugar or spices to add more flavour. So whether you choose to use a traditional recipe or switch things up with some unique additions, shortcrust pastry is the perfect choice for making delicious jam tarts!

Jam tarts cooking time

Jam tarts usually take around 15 to 20 minutes to cook. The exact cooking time will depend on the size of the tarts and the thickness of the pastry, as well as oven temperatures. To ensure your jam tarts are cooked through and golden brown, keep an eye on them during the baking process. It’s also important not to overfill jam tarts with filling, as this may cause them to burst in the oven. Once they are cooked, leave the tarts to cool slightly before serving.

What type of jam to use

When it comes to making jam tarts, the world is your oyster! From traditional strawberry jams to more exotic options like passionfruit or guava, there are lots of delicious flavours to choose from. When selecting a jam for your tart, make sure that it has an appropriate consistency and isn’t too runny. For example, a fruit compote will not work as it doesn’t set when cool This will help ensure that the filling doesn’t run out during baking. For a truly indulgent treat, you can even mix two or three different jams together before adding them to your pastry cases – the possibilities are endless!

Ingredients

For 24 tarts, you will need the following ingredients:

• 350 g Plain Flour (or all-purpose)
• 2 tbsp Caster Sugar
• 170 g Cold Butter (Cubed)
• 2 Egg Yolks
• 2 tsp Vanilla Essence (or extract)
• 250 g Jam (any flavour)

How to make jam tarts

STEP 1:

Put the flour in a large bowl and rub in the butter until it resembles fine breadcrumbs. Add in the sugar.

STEP 2:

• In a small bowl, beat the egg yolks and add the vanilla essence and 4 tbsp of cold water.
• Pour the mixture into the bowl and mix together with your hands or mixer until it forms a dough. Wrap in cling film and chill in the freezer for 15 minutes.

STEP 3:

• Preheat the oven to 180°c Fan/200°c/Gas 6/ 392F
• Roll out the pastry on a floured surface until the thickness is about 3mm. Use a cutter of 8 cm or big enough to fit your bun tins and cut 24 discs.

FINAL STEP:

• Place the discs in the tins and prick with a fork slightly but not right through. Spoon 1 -2 tsp of jam into each tart.
• Bake in the oven for 15 minutes until the pastry is golden and the jam is bubbling. Leave to cool slightly in the tin before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely and the jam to set.

Storage

Jam tarts are a delicious dessert that can be enjoyed year-round. To make sure they remain as fresh and flavorful as possible, it is important to store them correctly. The best way to do this is to place the jam tarts in an airtight container and keep them in a cool, dry place. If you plan on eating them all in one sitting, feel free to leave the lid off the container so that the tarts stay at room temperature. For longer-term storage, the container should be sealed tightly and stored in a refrigerator or freezer.