Quick & Easy Mary Berry’s Traditional Canterbury Tart Recipe

Mary Berry’s traditional Canterbury tart represents a quintessential British dessert that delights with its simplicity and rich flavor profile.

Generations of home bakers have embraced this sweet pastry as a comforting culinary treasure.

Soft, buttery crusts cradle a harmonious blend of seasonal ingredients that dance across your palate.

Delicate textures and balanced flavors characterize this beloved recipe that connects generations through shared culinary memories.

Regional baking techniques contribute to its unique charm and rustic appeal.

Each slice tells a story of traditional home cooking and cultural heritage.

You’ll fall in love with this elegant dessert that transforms humble ingredients into something truly spectacular: prepare to be amazed.

Why Mary Berry’s Canterbury Tart Is a Heritage Hit

• Celebrate Effortless Elegance: This Canterbury Tart delivers sophisticated flavors with minimal cooking skills required, making it perfect for both novice and experienced bakers looking to impress guests.
• Texture Symphony: The recipe combines multiple delightful textures – crisp pastry base, smooth blackcurrant jam, tender apple slices, and a silky almond custard filling that melts beautifully in your mouth.
• Quick Weekend Showstopper: Ready in just 50 minutes, this tart transforms simple ingredients into a stunning dessert ideal for leisurely weekend gatherings, afternoon tea, or unexpected company, providing maximum impact with minimal preparation time.

Ingredient List for the Traditional Tart

• Shortcrust Pastry: Classic pastry that creates a crisp and buttery foundation for the tart. Select a high-quality, all-butter pastry for best flavor.
• Flour: Essential for dusting the surface to prevent sticking during pastry rolling.

• Blackcurrant Jam: Provides a tangy and sweet base layer with rich fruit flavor. Choose a good quality, seedless jam for smooth texture.
• Apples: Fresh, firm apples that hold their shape during baking. Preferably use a slightly tart variety like Granny Smith or Bramley.

• Eggs: Bind the filling and create a custardy texture. Fresh, room temperature eggs work best.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with caramelization. Granulated white sugar is ideal.
• Butter: Melted butter provides richness and enhances the overall flavor of the filling.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and warmth to the tart's flavor profile. Pure vanilla extract is recommended.
• Ground Almonds: Adds nutty flavor and helps thicken the filling. Use fresh, finely ground almonds.

How to Bake the Tart Like Mary Berry

Step 1: Prepare the Oven

Preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F or Gas Mark 5). Make sure the oven rack is in the middle position for even baking.

Step 2: Create the Pastry Base

Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured surface. Gently transfer the pastry to a 23cm (9-inch) tart tin. Use a fork to prick small holes in the base. Chill the pastry in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to firm up.

Step 3: Blind Bake the Crust

Line the chilled pastry with baking paper and fill with baking beans. Bake for 15 minutes to set the base. Remove the paper and beans, then return to the oven for an additional 5 minutes until the crust turns a beautiful golden brown. Let the crust cool completely.

Step 4: Add the Fruity Layer

Spread a generous layer of blackcurrant jam across the cooled pastry base. Carefully arrange thinly sliced apples on top of the jam in an attractive pattern.

Step 5: Prepare the Almond Filling

• Eggs
• Sugar
• Melted butter
• Vanilla extract
• Ground almonds

Continue whisking until all ingredients are well combined and smooth.

Step 6: Finish and Bake

Pour the almond mixture evenly over the apple slices, ensuring complete coverage. Place the tart in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes. The tart is ready when the filling is set and has a gorgeous golden-brown color.

Step 7: Cool and Serve

Remove the tart from the oven and let it cool completely. This allows the filling to set and makes slicing easier. Serve at room temperature and enjoy the delightful combination of sweet jam, tender apples, and nutty almond filling.

Tips to Bring Out the Flavors of the Filling

• Prevent Soggy Bottoms: Cover the pastry's base with a thin layer of ground almonds or breadcrumbs to absorb excess moisture and maintain a crisp crust.
• Customize Creatively: Experiment with seasonal fruits like blackberries, plums, or apricots to give the tart a unique personal touch and surprise your guests.
• Layer Strategically: Pat frozen fruits dry with paper towels to remove excess water, preventing unwanted sogginess in your delicate tart.
• Zest Up Flavor: Grate fresh citrus zest directly into the filling for an instant burst of bright, aromatic notes that elevate the entire dessert.
• Chill for Perfection: Allow the tart to rest at room temperature for 15 minutes after chilling to help slice cleanly and develop deeper, more harmonious flavors.

Best Ways to Store This Sweet, Sticky Dessert

• Freezer Method: Preserve the tart's quality by wrapping it tightly in multiple layers of plastic wrap and storing in a freezer-safe container. Keeps perfectly for up to 2 months with minimal flavor loss.
• Refrigeration Method: Seal the tart in an airtight container to maintain its delectable texture and taste. Place in the refrigerator where it stays fresh and delicious for 3 days maximum.
• Room Temperature Revival: Remove the tart from cold storage 30 minutes before serving. Let it gradually warm up, allowing the flavors to bloom and the pastry to regain its tender, delicate crispness.

Fun Twists on the Tart’s Presentation

• Fruity Fusion Tart: Swap blackcurrant jam with raspberry or strawberry preserves for a vibrant color and tangy flavor profile.
• Nutty Almond Elevation: Replace ground almonds with crushed pistachios or hazelnuts to add a rich, crunchy texture and enhance the nutty undertones.
• Spiced Autumn Remix: Incorporate warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom into the egg mixture for a cozy, seasonal touch that complements the apples perfectly.
• Citrus Zest Transformation: Grate lemon or orange zest into the custard base to introduce a bright, refreshing note that cuts through the sweetness and adds complexity to the tart.

Our Thoughts on Mary’s English Classic

Canterbury Tart embodies classic British baking charm with its delightful combination of crisp pastry, sweet blackcurrant jam, tender apples, and rich almond custard.

Mary Berry’s signature recipe reflects generations of culinary tradition from southeast England.

Her meticulous technique ensures a perfectly balanced dessert that celebrates local ingredients and seasonal produce.

Fruit-forward layers meld seamlessly with buttery pastry, creating an irresistible texture that whispers comfort and elegance.

Sophisticated yet approachable, this tart serves as a delectable narrative of regional heritage.

Passionate bakers and curious souls can savor this masterpiece, sharing its story through each delicious slice.

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Dive into comments, spread culinary joy through shares, and connect with fellow baking enthusiasts who appreciate timeless recipes.

Mary Berrys Traditional Canterbury Tart Recipe

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4.5 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Mary Berry’s Traditional Canterbury Tart showcases British baking heritage with its rich custard filling and delicate pastry crust. Generations of home cooks have treasured this elegant dessert that promises comfort and nostalgia with each sublime slice.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 3 large cooking apples, peeled, cored and thinly sliced
• 225 g (8 ounces) sweet shortcrust pastry
• 50 g (2 ounces) ground almonds

Filling and Binding Ingredients:

• 2 large eggs
• 50 g (2 ounces) caster sugar
• 50 g (2 ounces) unsalted butter, melted
• 2 tablespoons blackcurrant jam
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Meticulously prepare your kitchen workspace by positioning a rack in the middle of the oven and heating it precisely to 190°C/375°F (Gas Mark 5).
2. Generously dust a clean work surface with flour and delicately roll out the pastry into a thin, even sheet that will comfortably cover a 23 centimeter (9 inch) tart tin.
3. Carefully transfer the pastry into the tart tin, gently pressing it against the sides and base, then puncture the bottom with a fork to prevent air bubbles. Refrigerate the lined tin for 30 minutes to ensure a crisp foundation.
4. Cover the chilled pastry with parchment paper and fill with ceramic baking weights or dried beans to prevent rising. Bake for 15 minutes to create a stable base.
5. Remove the weights and parchment paper, then return the pastry to the oven for an additional 5 minutes until it achieves a golden-brown complexion. Let the shell cool completely.
6. Spread a luxurious layer of blackcurrant jam across the pastry base, creating an even, glistening surface.
7. Artfully arrange thinly sliced apples in an overlapping pattern across the jam-covered base.
8. In a mixing bowl, vigorously whisk eggs, granulated sugar, melted butter, vanilla extract, and ground almonds until the mixture transforms into a smooth, homogeneous cream.
9. Gently pour the almond cream over the arranged apple slices, ensuring complete and even coverage.
10. Bake the tart for 30-35 minutes, watching for a set, golden-brown surface that signals perfect doneness. Allow the tart to cool completely before slicing and serving.

Notes

• Chill the pastry in the fridge for 30 minutes before rolling to prevent shrinkage and maintain its shape.
• Use cold butter when making the pastry to create a flaky, tender crust that melts in your mouth.
• Remove the tart from the pan carefully by placing it on a wide glass or can, letting the sides fall down gently.
• Dust with powdered sugar just before serving for an elegant, classic finishing touch that adds a sweet sparkle.
• Garnish with fresh mint leaves or additional berries to create a visually stunning presentation that impresses guests.
• Store leftover tart in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days to maintain its delicious texture and flavor.
• Slice with a sharp, clean knife dipped in hot water for perfectly neat and clean cuts every time.
• Check the tart’s doneness by gently shaking the pan – the filling should have a slight wobble but not be completely liquid.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: British

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 250 kcal
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 50 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 34 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg