Baked Treacle Tart with Shortcrust Pastry

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A classic British dessert featuring a buttery shortcrust pastry filled with a rich, golden syrup and breadcrumbs mixture baked to sweet perfection. This british-inspired desserts ready in about 95 minutes pairs all-purpose flour, unsalted butter, cold and cubed, icing sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 8, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart.

Prep: 45 min Cook: 50 min Serves 8 British cuisine 320 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI →

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: To make the pastry, combine 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 6 tbsp cold cubed unsalted butter, and 2 tbsp icing sugar in a bowl. Rub the butter into the flour with your fingertips until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.
  2. Step 2: Add 2 tbsp cold water and gently mix until the dough comes together. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
  3. Step 3: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Roll out chilled dough on a lightly floured surface and line a 9-inch tart pan, trimming the edges. Prick the base with a fork and chill for 10 minutes.
  4. Step 4: Blind bake the pastry shell for 15 minutes using baking beans or rice to weigh it down, then remove weights and bake for another 5 minutes until lightly golden.
  5. Step 5: For the filling, mix 1 cup golden syrup with 3/4 cup fresh white breadcrumbs, 1 tbsp lemon juice, and 1 beaten egg until fully combined. Pour the filling into the pre-baked tart shell.
  6. Step 6: Bake the tart for 25-30 minutes until the filling is set and bubbling. Allow to cool slightly before serving with 1/2 cup heavy cream poured over or whipped on the side.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Baked Treacle Tart with Shortcrust Pastry take to make?

Total time is about 95 minutes (45 min prep + 50 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Baked Treacle Tart with Shortcrust Pastry?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep all-purpose flour from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Baked Treacle Tart with Shortcrust Pastry?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Baked Treacle Tart with Shortcrust Pastry for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Baked Treacle Tart with Shortcrust Pastry?

British desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

Related recipes