Swiss Tarts

Swiss tarts have a shortbread base and a dollop of jam in the middle, but they aren't overly sweet. Like all the best cakes these are quick and easy to make, ideal if you want something a bit different for tea.

Swiss Tarts

I'm not sure how authentically Swiss these tarts are. The base is similar to the one for Viennese whirls, so this may just be another attempt to make a good English pastry seem a little more exotic.

I used Bonne Maman apricot conserve for these Swiss Tarts because I'm a bit of a Bonne Maman fan. I stock up on conserves and compotes when I'm in France and we always have a bag of Madeleines - which always taste better over there. I know I can buy most of the range here - and I do - but I still get a teeny thrill from using Fraises or Abricot Conserve. I know, easily pleased.

Secrets of Success

You pipe the mixture in a circle inside a paper fairy cake case. The things to remember are:

• Not to put too much mixture in - one circle is enough
• It's fine if the mixture doesn't cover the base. It looks like a ring of paste, but when the tarts are cooking it melts slightly and fills up the base.

When I first made these I used to look at the pictures in my recipe book and despair at getting my Swiss Tarts to look beautifully even. Now I don't really care. They taste good and look fine. I don't want to spend twice as long getting them to look perfect. Anyway, you can always put more icing sugar on top.

What else do you need?

You need a piping bag and a large star nozzle to get the effect. I now only use disposable icing bags. I used to use nylon ones or make them out of greaseproof paper but, really, why bother?

If you like this...

...Why don't you try:

Ginger biscuits

Crunchy or chewy, these ginger biscuits are easy to make and quick to cook

Jammy Dodgers

Jammy Dodgers are vanilla biscuits with a cutout jammy centre. 

Shortbread Biscuits

Melt-in-the-mouth buttery Shortbread Biscuits. Make them in fingers or use cutters for any shape you want.

Stockists

Ateco 828 open star pastry nozzle

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Lakeland 'Get a Grip' icing bag

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Swiss Tarts

Swiss tarts have a shortbread base and a dollop of jam in the middle, but they aren’t overly sweet.

Prep Time25 mins

Cook Time25 mins

Total Time50 mins

Course: Teatime

Cuisine: British

Servings: 18

Author: [email protected] Cooks

Ingredients

For the tarts:

• 250 g butter, at room temperature
• 225 g plain/all-purpose flour
• 50 g cornflour
• 100 g icing sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (5ml)

To finish:

• Apricot jam, or whatever flavour you prefer
• Icing sugar

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Equipment

2 12-hole bun tins

Fairy cake cases

Piping bag

Large star icing nozzle

Instructions

Preparation:

• Preheat the oven to 180°C/ 160°C fan/ gas mark 4/ 350°F
• Prepare the icing bag: Snip off the end and put the nozzle in so that it fits comfortably. Fold back the open edge so that you have a cuff. That way the mixture doesn't get stuck at the top
• Put 18 paper cases in the bun tins

  You may need a couple more, so be prepared

For the tarts:

• Put all the ingredients in a large bowl and beat well until smooth

  Easiest with a hand or stand mixer
• Spoon the mixture into the icing bag and pipe a circle into each paper case. The mixture won't cover the base of the case, but it will expand as it's cooked
• Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes or until a pale golden colour
• Leave to cool on a wire rack
• Put a small amount of jam in the centre of each tart. Dust with sifted icing sugar

Notes

Swiss Tarts keep for at least a week in an airtight container. They don't need to be refrigerated.