Manchester Tart

Nov 3, 2026 · By VanillaGoods

Baking Pies tarts Vanilla: Extract Medium

A crisp buttery shortcrust shell holds a layer of raspberry jam and set vanilla custard, finished with toasted coconut. It is chilled until sliceable. Makes 8 slices in about 4 hr 25 min.

Prep 40 min

Cook 45 min

Cooling 3 hr

Total 4 hr 25 min

Yield 8 slices

Ingredients

Adjust yield

slices

1 ⅔ cups (200 g)all-purpose flour
½ cup (100 g)unsalted butter, cold, cubed
¼ cup (30 g)powdered sugar
1 (18 g)egg yolks, for the pastry
2 tbsp (30 ml)cold water
⅓ cup (100 g)raspberry jam
2 cups (500 ml)whole milk
3 (54 g)egg yolks, for the custard
¼ cup (50 g)granulated sugar
3 ½ tbsp (30 g)cornstarch
1 tsp (5 ml)vanilla extract
⅓ cup (30 g)unsweetened shredded coconut, toasted

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Instructions

Rub the butter into the flour and powdered sugar until it looks like fine crumbs. Stir in the yolk and cold water to form a dough. Flatten, wrap and chill 30 minutes.
Heat the oven to 375 F (190 C). Roll the dough and line a 9 inch (23 cm) tart pan. Chill 15 minutes.
Line with parchment and baking weights. Bake 20 minutes, remove the weights and bake 8 to 10 minutes more, until pale golden. Cool.
Spread the jam over the base of the cooled shell.
Whisk the yolks, sugar and cornstarch in a bowl. Heat the milk to just under a boil and whisk it into the yolk mixture.
Return to the saucepan and cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until thick and bubbling, about 3 minutes (the custard must reach 160 F / 71 C). Stir in the vanilla.
Spread the hot custard over the jam, smooth the top and press plastic wrap on the surface.
Cool, then chill at least 3 hours. Sprinkle with toasted coconut just before slicing.

Tips

Press the plastic wrap right on the custard to prevent a skin.
Brush the baked shell with a little beaten egg white for a crisper base.
Toast coconut in a dry pan until golden, watching closely.
Cook the custard to 160 F (71 C) and keep the tart refrigerated.

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Recipe FAQ

How long does it take to make manchester tart?

Plan on 40 minutes of prep and 45 minutes of cooking, plus 3 hours to chill. The recipe makes 8 slices.

How should I store manchester tart?

Refrigerate up to 3 days; the shell softens gradually.

Can I make manchester tart ahead?

Yes. It needs time to chill and set, so it is a good one to make the day before you serve it.

Can I use a different form of vanilla?

Yes. This recipe uses 1 tsp vanilla extract (5 ml). Each teaspoon of pure vanilla extract can be swapped for 1 teaspoon of vanilla bean paste, the seeds of half a vanilla bean, or 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla powder. Paste and seeds add the classic dark specks.

Serve it with hot tea.

Estimated · per serving

Nutrition

Per serving = 1 of 8 servings this recipe makes.

355 Calories / serving

16.1g Fat

46.5g Carbs

6.3g Protein

20.9g Sugar

Whole recipe (8 servings): ~2840 cal · 129g fat · 372g carbs · 50g protein · 167g sugar

Estimated values per serving, calculated from standard ingredient data. Not verified Nutrition Facts; actual values vary with brands, measurements, and preparation.