Ingredients with Measurements:
- 1 sheet of ready-made shortcrust pastry
- 100g ground almonds
- 100g caster sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 tbsp orange zest
- 1 tbsp orange juice
- 50g unsalted butter, melted
- 12 blanched almonds
- Icing sugar, for dusting
Special equipment needed:
- 12-hole muffin tin
- Mixing bowl
- Electric mixer
- Zester
- Juicer
- Pastry brush
Step-by-step instructions:
1. Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F/Gas Mark 4. Grease the muffin tin with butter.
2. Roll out the shortcrust pastry and cut out 12 circles to fit the muffin tin. Place the pastry circles into the muffin tin and prick the bottom of each with a fork.
3. In a mixing bowl, combine the ground almonds, caster sugar, eggs, orange zest, orange juice, and melted butter. Mix well until smooth.
4. Spoon the almond mixture into the pastry cases, filling each one to about ¾ full. Place a blanched almond on top of each tart.
5. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
6. Remove from the oven and allow to cool in the tin for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
7. Once cooled, dust with icing sugar before serving.
Time:
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 20-25 minutes
Temperature:
180°C/350°F/Gas Mark 4
Serving size:
12 tarts
Nutritional information:
Calories: 250
Fat: 16g
Carbohydrates: 21g
Protein: 5g
Fiber: 1g
Substitutions for ingredients:
- Ground almonds can be substituted with ground hazelnuts or ground walnuts.
- Caster sugar can be substituted with granulated sugar or brown sugar.
- Orange zest and juice can be substituted with lemon zest and juice.
Variations:
- Add a teaspoon of almond extract to the almond mixture for a stronger almond flavor.
- Add a tablespoon of raspberry jam to the bottom of each pastry case before adding the almond mixture for a fruity twist.
- Substitute the blanched almonds on top with candied orange peel for a different texture.
Tips and tricks:
- Make sure the pastry is rolled out thinly to avoid a thick and doughy base.
- Use a pastry brush to brush the melted butter onto the pastry cases for an even coating.
- Allow the tarts to cool completely before dusting with icing sugar to avoid it melting into the tarts.
Storage instructions:
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Reheating instructions:
Reheat in the oven at 180°C/350°F/Gas Mark 4 for 5-10 minutes or until warmed through.
Presentation ideas:
Serve on a decorative plate with a sprig of fresh mint.
Garnishes:
Dust with icing sugar and top with a blanched almond.
Pairings:
Serve with a cup of tea or coffee.
Suggested side dishes:
Serve with a side of fresh fruit or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Troubleshooting advice:
- If the tarts are browning too quickly, cover with foil halfway through baking.
- If the tarts are not cooked through, increase the baking time by 5-10 minutes.
Food safety advice:
Make sure to wash your hands and utensils thoroughly before preparing the ingredients. Store the tarts in an airtight container to avoid contamination.
Food history:
Maids of Honour tarts are a traditional English pastry that dates back to the Tudor period. Legend has it that they were named after Anne Boleyn, who was one of King Henry VIII's wives and a lover of these tarts.
Flavor profiles:
The tarts have a sweet and nutty flavor with a hint of orange.
Serving suggestions:
Serve as a dessert or a sweet treat with a cup of tea or coffee.
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Region: English