jam tarts Archives - Posh in Progress

There’s something deeply nostalgic and undeniably charming about jam tarts. With their buttery, flaky crust and jewel-toned filling, these little delights have stood the test of time in British baking—and for good reason. Whether you’re making strawberry jam tarts for a holiday gathering or whipping up raspberry jam tarts for an afternoon tea, this treat is as versatile as it is delicious. In this post, we’re diving deep into the world of jam tarts: from classic techniques to creative variations like flower tarts and jam tartlets, consider this your ultimate jam tarts recipe guide. What Are Jam Tarts? Jam tarts are small open-faced pastries made with shortcrust pastry and filled with jam. Traditionally baked in a shallow tart tin, they puff up slightly around the edges and set with a glistening jam center. The beauty of jam tarts lies in their simplicity. All you really need is a good pastry base and your favorite jam—though, as a baking expert, I’ll show you how to elevate them with a few pro tips. Whether you're looking for a recipe for jam tarts, a jam tartlets recipe, or a creative flower tart design, you're in the right place. Ingredients for Classic Jam Tarts Before we get into shaping and styling, let’s start with a classic recipe of jam tarts. This easy jam tart recipe yields buttery pastry and just the right ratio of crust to jam. For the pastry: 225g (1 ¾ cups) all-purpose flour 110g (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cubed 2 tablespoons granulated sugar 1 egg yolk 2–3 tablespoons cold water Pinch of salt For the filling: About ½ cup of your favorite jam (strawberry, raspberry, apricot, or even fig) Optional: fresh fruit slices, lemon zest, or herbs for garnish This is the perfect jam tart recipe for beginners and seasoned bakers alike. How to Make Jam Tarts: Step-by-Step Step 1: Make the Shortcrust Pastry To make truly great jam tartlets, start with cold ingredients. Cold butter creates steam pockets, giving your crust that perfect flaky texture. Add flour, sugar, and salt to a large bowl. Cut in the butter using a pastry cutter or your fingertips until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Stir in the egg yolk and cold water, just until the dough comes together. Form a disc, wrap it in cling film, and chill for at least 30 minutes. Step 2: Roll and Cut Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Roll out your chilled pastry to about ⅛ inch thick on a lightly floured surface. Use a round or fluted cutter (about 3 inches) to cut out pastry circles—or go a step further and use a flower-shaped cutter for extra visual appeal. This base works wonderfully for little jam tarts or festive flower pie crust designs. For my batch, I wanted something cute and spring-inspired, so I used a flower-shaped cookie cutter and pressed the cutouts into a mini muffin tin. The shape held perfectly during baking and made the sweetest little flower tarts—ideal for spring parties, brunches, or Easter celebrations. Step 3: Fill with Jam Spoon about ½ to 1 teaspoon of jam into each shell. Be careful not to overfill—jam expands as it bakes, and too much can bubble over the sides. This method works especially well in a mini muffin tin, where the smaller wells keep the jam contained. Step 4: Add a Decorative Touch (Optional) For even more charm, cut small dough shapes—stars, hearts, or smaller flowers—and place them on top of the jam before baking. This extra step makes your jam tartlets feel bakery-level. Step 5: Bake and Cool Bake for 15–20 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the jam is bubbling. Let them cool in the tin for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Variations of Jam Tart Recipes 1. Strawberry Jam Tarts Use homemade or store-bought strawberry jam. Add a thin slice of fresh strawberry before baking for a juicy twist. Sprinkle with powdered sugar once cooled. 2. Raspberry Jam Tarts Raspberry jam has a tangy sharpness that balances the buttery pastry beautifully. These are perfect as a grown-up tea treat or for holiday platters. 3. Flower Tarts with Lemon Zest Use a flower-shaped cookie cutter for both the tart base and the top. Fill with apricot jam and a bit of lemon zest in the dough for a refreshing pop. 4. Jam Tartlets with Puff Pastry Short on time? Use store-bought puff pastry for a flaky twist on the classic. Press into mini muffin tins and fill as usual. 5. Mini Jam Tarts with Almond Crust Swap out part of the flour with almond flour to add a nutty depth of flavor. This works beautifully with fig, cherry, or even plum jam. Pro Tips for the Best Jam Tarts Chill the dough before rolling. It keeps the fat cold, which helps create that desirable flaky crust. Use quality jam. The jam is the star here, so go for fruit-rich, low-sugar options when possible. Don’t overfill. A small dollop is all you need to avoid bubbling over. Try floral or geometric shapes. They add a beautiful touch—especially if you’re going for mini flower tarts in a spring or garden party theme. Play with sizes. Full-size, bite-sized, or mini—jam tart recipes adapt beautifully to any shape or occasion. Serving and Storing Jam Tarts These jam tarts are best enjoyed the same day, but they’ll stay fresh in an airtight container for 2–3 days. If you want to prep ahead, you can freeze unbaked pastry shells and bake straight from frozen—just add a few extra minutes of bake time. Serve them at brunch, tea time, or as part of a dessert board. They’re especially sweet tucked into a basket with a few sprigs of fresh mint or edible flowers. Final Thoughts: Little Tarts, Big Flavor Whether you’re going classic with raspberry, sweet with strawberry, or citrusy with apricot and lemon zest, jam tarts are one of the most flexible, fuss-free desserts out there. They’re quick to make, endlessly customizable, and crowd-pleasingly cute—especially when made into flower-shaped jam tartlets like mine. So the next time you're looking for a jam tarts easy recipe or wondering how to make jam tarts that are beautiful enough for spring brunch but simple enough for a weekday bake, this is the recipe to try. Now go grab your favorite jam, roll out some dough, and make a batch of these timeless treats. You might just find they become a regular part of your baking rotation.