Description
Congress tarts whisper sweet memories of Portuguese colonial bakeries, nestled in Goa’s charming streets. Golden pastry shells cradle delicate coconut and egg custard, inviting you to savor a delightful slice of culinary heritage.
Ingredients
Scale
Pastry Base:
- 275 grams (2 cups) plain flour
- 125 grams (1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon) unsalted butter (cold, cubed)
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1–2 tablespoons cold water
Filling:
- 60 grams (1/3 cup) caster sugar
- 60 grams (1/4 cup) unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 large egg (beaten)
- 60 grams (2/3 cup) ground almonds
- 30 grams (3 1/2 tablespoons) plain flour
- 12 teaspoons almond extract
- 12 teaspoons seedless raspberry jam
Garnish and Finishing:
- 12 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Flaked almonds
Instructions
- Pulse cold butter and flour in a food processor until it resembles coarse breadcrumbs.
- Incorporate sugar, egg, and chilled water to create a cohesive pastry dough.
- Refrigerate the pastry for half an hour to firm up and enhance texture.
- Cream softened butter with sugar until light and fluffy for the almond filling.
- Whisk egg and almond extract into the butter mixture until smooth.
- Gently fold dry ingredients into the creamy filling to create a consistent texture.
- Heat oven to 180°C (350°F) and prepare a cupcake tin with non-stick spray.
- Roll out chilled pastry on a lightly floured surface to approximately 3mm thickness.
- Cut circular pastry shapes and carefully line each cupcake cavity.
- Use a fork to delicately prick the pastry bases to prevent rising.
- Spread a thin layer of jam across the pastry bases.
- Spoon almond filling over the jam layer, ensuring even distribution.
- Sprinkle flaked almonds on top of each tart for added crunch and visual appeal.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes until pastry turns golden and filling sets.
- Transfer tarts to a wire rack and allow to cool completely before serving.
Notes
- Pastry Perfection: Ensure butter is cold when blitzing with flour to achieve a flaky, tender crust that melts in your mouth.
- Chilling Magic: Refrigerating the dough helps prevent shrinkage and creates a more stable pastry that holds its shape beautifully.
- Gluten-Free Hack: Swap wheat flour with almond or gluten-free blend for a dietary-friendly version that doesn’t compromise on taste.
- Flavor Boost: Toast flaked almonds briefly before topping to intensify their nutty aroma and add a delightful crunch to these delicate tarts.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 18-20 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 197 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 97 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 37 mg