Congress Tarts are similar to Bakewell tarts but with their own unique twist. Traditionally, these tarts are filled with raspberry jam and topped with a frangipane-style mixture made from almonds, sugar, and egg. Mary Berry’s version sticks to these classic ingredients, creating a tart that’s wonderfully crisp on the outside with a soft, sweet almond center.
For the Pastry:
For the Filling:
For the Frangipane Topping:
In a large bowl, rub the flour and butter together until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Stir in the icing sugar. Add the egg yolk and 1-2 tablespoons of cold water, mixing until the dough comes together. Wrap the pastry in cling film and chill in the fridge for 30 minutes.
Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Once chilled, roll out the pastry on a floured surface until it’s about 3mm thick. Using a round cutter, cut circles slightly larger than the holes of a 12-hole tart tin. Press the pastry circles into the tart holes, ensuring they line the base and sides. Prick the base of each tart lightly with a fork.
Place a teaspoon of raspberry jam into the center of each pastry case. Be careful not to overfill, as the jam will spread during baking.
In a bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and almond extract. Gently fold in the ground almonds and self-raising flour until the mixture is smooth.
Spoon the frangipane mixture over the jam in each tart, spreading it evenly with a small spatula. If desired, sprinkle some flaked almonds on top of each tart for added crunch.
Place the tart tin in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the frangipane is golden and set. The pastry should be crisp, and the filling should have puffed slightly.
Remove the tarts from the oven and allow them to cool in the tin for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, dust lightly with icing sugar if desired.
Find it online: https://britishbakingrecipes.co.uk/mary-berry-congress-tarts/