Hairy Bikers Manchester Tart Recipe

This flaky, creamy Hairy Bikers Manchester Tart Recipe is made with rich homemade shortcrust pastry, raspberry jam, and thick vanilla custard, ready in just over an hour. Pouring the velvety custard over the sweet fruit layer creates a stunning contrast that sets firmly as it chills. I love how the toasted coconut topping adds a satisfying crunch to every smooth bite.

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Why This Classic Works

I always worried that homemade custard would turn out lumpy or runny, but this method is surprisingly forgiving. The cornflour stabilizes the mixture, ensuring a clean slice every time, unlike the sloppy versions I remember from school dinners.

I learned that blind baking the pastry case thoroughly is crucial to avoid a soggy bottom under the wet filling. It is a nostalgic bake that proves traditional recipes often taste better when you control the quality of the ingredients.

Hairy Bikers Manchester Tart Recipe Ingredients

For the Pastry:

• 175g plain flour
• 90g chilled butter, cubed
• 50g icing sugar
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1 tbsp ice-cold water

For the Filling:

• 6 tbsp quality raspberry jam
• 750ml whole milk
• 4 large egg yolks
• 5 tbsp caster sugar
• 5 tbsp cornflour
• 1 tsp vanilla bean paste

For the Topping:

• 50g desiccated coconut (lightly toasted)
• 8-10 maraschino cherries

How To Make Hairy Bikers Manchester Tart Recipe

1. Make the Pastry: Pulse the flour, icing sugar, and chilled butter in a food processor until it resembles breadcrumbs. Add the egg yolk and water, pulsing briefly until the dough comes together, then wrap and chill for 30 minutes.
2. Blind Bake: Roll out the pastry to line a 23cm tart tin, prick the base with a fork, and chill for another 15 minutes. Line with baking paper and beans, baking at 180°C (160°C fan) for 15 minutes, then remove the beans and bake for 5-10 minutes until crisp.
3. Add the Jam: Allow the pastry case to cool completely before spreading the raspberry jam in an even layer across the base.
4. Prepare the Custard: Whisk the egg yolks, sugar, cornflour, and vanilla with a splash of milk to make a smooth paste. Heat the remaining milk until steaming, then pour it over the egg mixture while whisking constantly.
5. Thicken the Custard: Return the mixture to the pan and cook over medium heat, stirring vigorously until it becomes very thick and glossy.
6. Assemble and Chill: Pour the hot custard over the jam layer, sprinkle immediately with toasted coconut, garnish with cherries, and chill for at least 3 hours to set.

Recipe Tips

• Chill the pastry twice: Resting the dough in the fridge before and after rolling prevents it from shrinking in the oven, keeping your tart shell deep enough for the filling.
• Cook out the cornflour: When thickening the custard, let it bubble gently for a minute or two while stirring; this removes the chalky flour taste and ensures a firm set.
• Toast the coconut: briefly frying the desiccated coconut in a dry pan brings out a nutty flavour that cuts through the sweetness of the jam and custard.

What To Serve With Manchester Tart

A simple cup of tea is the perfect partner for this rich dessert, as the tannins help cleanse the palate between creamy bites. If you want to add freshness, a few extra fresh raspberries on the side can balance the sugar intensity of the jam.

How To Store

Store any leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days, keeping the tart loosely covered to prevent the custard skin from sweating. Freezing is not recommended as the custard layer tends to split and become watery upon thawing.

FAQs

• Can I use store-bought pastry? Yes, a high-quality all-butter shortcrust block works perfectly if you are short on time.
• Why is my custard runny? It likely wasn’t cooked long enough; you must bring it to a boil and let it bubble briefly to activate the cornflour fully.
• Can I use custard powder instead? Absolutely, for a truly retro taste, replace the cornflour and vanilla with standard custard powder.

Nutrition

• Calories: 450 kcal
• Total Fat: 25g
• Saturated Fat: 14g
• Cholesterol: 180mg
• Sodium: 150mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 52g
• Protein: 8g

Try More Recipes:

• Hairy Bikers Victoria Sponge Recipe
• Hairy Bikers Vegetarian Sausage Casserole Recipe
• Hairy Bikers Turkey Burgers Recipe