How to Make Delicious Jam Tarts

They look simple to make and are a staple of many children’s birthday parties or picnics. But how easy is it to make crumbly, light and delicious jam tarts?

Ancient Origin

Despite being known as a quintessentially British teatime treat, it seems the humble jam tart began life in ancient China, with 1,300-year-old jam tartlets included in a British Museum exhibition. They became popular in Britain when we started making jam in the 19th century as a way of preserving fruit and led to a number of jam tart recipes being published during Victorian times.

What are they made of?

Usually made with shortcrust pastry which has been rolled out into a thin layer and cut into a circle, jam tarts can be filled with any jam of your choosing, although the most traditional flavours are strawberry, raspberry, blackcurrant and apricot. If you use ready-made pastry, these tasty treats can be made in under half an hour. This makes them a firm favourite for baking with children as they can get their hands messy and have fun, while also learning about baking.

Sophisticated Jam Tarts

Around Valentine’s Day, you’ll see many heart-shaped jam tarts in bakeries, but there are other ways they can be elevated to make them a more grown-up treat. Afternoon tea trays often include them, but include more intricate designs and fresh fruit, as well as a glaze.

If you’re a jam tart fan, you might want to treat yourself to an afternoon tea box delivery. Specialist providers of afternoon tea box delivery services have a wide choice of sweet delights to choose from.

Make Your Own

If you fancy making your own, you can make the shortcrust pastry yourself from scratch or buy it ready-made. If making your own, wrap it in cling film and let it chill for half an hour before rolling it out to about 4mm. Then use a round cutter, either plain or fluted, and place the pastry circles in a greased tart tin. Then pop 1-2tsp of your chosen jam into each one.

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