Print

Mary Berry Jam Tarts Recipe

Mary Berry Jam Tarts are small pastry shells filled with fruit jam and baked until the pastry becomes crisp and golden. They are traditionally made using shortcrust pastry and a spoonful of jam such as strawberry, raspberry, or apricot.

Ingredients

Pastry

  • Plain flour (225 g) – Forms the base of the shortcrust pastry.

  • Butter (100 g, cold and cubed) – Creates a crumbly, buttery pastry texture.

  • Cold water (2–3 tablespoons) – Helps bring the dough together.

Filling

  • Fruit jam (150 g) – Strawberry, raspberry, or apricot jam works well.

Optional Garnish

  • Icing sugar (for dusting) – Adds a light decorative finish.

Instructions

Step 1 – Prepare the Pastry

Place the flour and cold butter in a mixing bowl. Rub the butter into the flour using your fingertips until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.

Step 2 – Form the Dough

Add cold water gradually and mix until the dough comes together into a soft ball.

Step 3 – Chill the Dough

Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 20 minutes. This helps the pastry become easier to roll.

Step 4 – Roll the Pastry

Lightly flour a surface and roll out the chilled dough to about 3 mm thickness.

Step 5 – Cut the Pastry Circles

Use a round cutter to cut circles of pastry slightly larger than the holes of a muffin tin.

Step 6 – Shape the Tart Shells

Press each pastry circle gently into the muffin tin to form small tart shells.

Step 7 – Add the Jam Filling

Spoon about 1 teaspoon of jam into each pastry shell. Avoid overfilling, as the jam may bubble during baking.

Step 8 – Bake the Tarts

Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F) and bake the jam tarts for 12–15 minutes until the pastry turns golden.

Step 9 – Cool and Serve

Allow the jam tarts to cool slightly before removing them from the tin. Dust with icing sugar if desired and serve.