Manchester tart facts for kids
 |
|
| Type | Tart |
|---|---|
| Region or state | Manchester |
| Main ingredients | Shortcrust pastry, raspberry jam, custard, flaked coconut, Maraschino cherry |
| Variations | Layer of sliced bananas, lemon-flavoured custard |
The Manchester tart is a super yummy and traditional English dessert. It's a sweet pastry that has been a favorite treat for many years, especially in the Manchester area of England. Imagine a delicious pastry shell filled with sweet layers!
Contents
What is a Manchester Tart?
A Manchester tart is a type of tart, which is a baked dish with a pastry base and an open top. It's usually sweet and can be served as a dessert. This special tart is known for its unique combination of flavors and textures.
The Sweet Layers
The Manchester tart is made with several tasty layers:
- Pastry base: It starts with a shortcrust pastry shell. This pastry is crumbly and buttery, making a perfect base for the tart.
- Jam: Inside the pastry, there's a layer of sweet raspberry jam. This gives the tart a lovely fruity flavor.
- Custard: On top of the jam, there's a thick, creamy custard filling. Custard is a sweet sauce made from milk, eggs, and sugar.
- Toppings: Finally, the tart is topped with flakes of coconut. A bright red Maraschino cherry often sits right in the middle, adding a pop of color and a little extra sweetness.
Tasty Variations
Sometimes, you might find a Manchester tart with a slight twist! One popular variation includes a layer of thinly sliced bananas placed under the creamy custard. This adds another fruity flavor to the dessert. Some versions might even use lemon-flavored custard for a zesty kick.
A Taste of History
The Manchester tart has a long and interesting history. It was a very common dessert served in English schools as part of school dinners until the mid-1980s. Many adults today remember it fondly from their childhood!
The Manchester tart actually came from an older recipe called the "Manchester pudding." This pudding was first written down by a famous Victorian cookery writer named Mrs Beeton. Over time, the recipe changed a bit, becoming the delicious tart we know today.
Where to Find It
While the Manchester tart is a traditional dessert, some places are especially known for it. For example, Robinson's Bakers in Failsworth, a town near Manchester, proudly calls itself the home of the Manchester tart. This shows how important this sweet treat is to the local area!
