Manchester tart – a dessert that was served for school dinners when I was younger.  Or “pudding” as it was always know.  Not actually too calorific or too difficult.

This is the second time during the Covid-19 lockdown that I’ve made pastry and it’s actually really simple (using a food processor) and much nicer.

It was bloomin’ lovely and only 212 calories for a portion. Thought I would share the recipe. The custard came out rather too runny, so I’d adjust it by either using less milk or adding more custard powder:

Manchester Tart – 212 calories per portion

Cooking Time: 30 mins

Serves: 6

Calories per serving: 212

Ingredients

Plain Flour – 55g

Unsalted Butter – 33g

Salt – 1 Pinch/0.1g

Water – 3 Tbsps/45ml

Milk, Semi Skimmed – 575ml

Custard Powder, Original – 20g

Sugar, Caster – 3 Tbsps/45g

Jam, Raspberry – 3 Tbsps/45g

Desiccated Coconut – 30g

Method

Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Butter a 22cm round loose-bottomed tart tin.

Make the pastry – Place the plain flour into a large bowl, add the (chilled) diced butter and rub in with your fingertips until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.

Stir in a pinch of salt, then add 2 – 3 tbsp water and mix to a firm dough.

Knead the dough briefly and gently on a floured surface.

Use the sheet of pastry to line the tin. Prick the base with a fork, then lay a sheet of baking parchment on top and fill with baking beans. Bake for 20 mins. Remove the beans and baking parchment and cook for a further 5 mins. Remove from the oven and leave to cool.

To make the custard, mix the custard powder and sugar with a small amount from the measured milk in a measuring jug. Place the remaining milk in a pan and heat over a medium heat. Once the milk is fairly warm, add the custard powder mixture and continue to cook, stirring constantly until smooth and thick, around 5-10 mins. Leave to cool and cover with cling film to stop a skin forming.

Once the base and custard have cooled, spread the jam over the pastry and sprinkle with half the coconut. Pour in the custard, then sprinkle with the remaining coconut and chill.

Nutrition Data Per Serving

Calories (kcal) 211.9

Protein (g) 4.6

Carbohydrate (g) 26.6

Fat (g) 9.5

Fruit & Veg 0.0

Fibre (g) 1.1