Treacle Tart

Last updated on October 22nd, 2018 at 02:33 pm

A British classic, Treacle Tart is full of luscious caramel flavor all wrapped up in a lovely shortbread crust. Treacle is the “secret” to whipping up this easy tart anytime your sweet tooth is calling! But what is treacle? Read on to find out!!

When it comes to British desserts – I have some favorites –Bourbon Sticky Toffee Pudding, Sponge Cake with Limoncello Cream and Strawberries… and Treacle Tart. Rumored to be Harry Potter’s favorite dessert, Treacle Tart has is one of those simple, homey desserts. A sticky,  caramel sweet filling encased in a lovely no roll shortbread crust.

It’s the kind of dessert you make when you’re craving something really simple and don’t want to run to the store for ingredients!
Speaking of ingredients, the star of this tart is treacle.

But what is Treacle?

• Treacle is an uncrystallized syrup and is created during sugar refining.
• There are two types of treacle – golden syrup, and it’s darker cousin, black treacle or molasses.
• The most well know golden syrup is made by Lyle’s.
• Golden syrup is used to top pancakes, as a sweetener in cakes and cookies – like these caramel slice bars, and makes a great sweetener for cocktails!

In the U.K. you can find Lyle’s Golden Syrup in almost any grocery store. Here in the U.S., it’s a little trickier to find- you can order it from Amazon or I generally get it from World Market.

How to Make Treacle Tart:

As I mentioned, this tart couldn’t be easier to make – a no roll tart crust is key!
Step #1: Combine the butter, flour, sugar, and salt in a food processor and blend until the mixture resembles wet sand…

Step #2: Dump the dough into a tart pan with a removable bottom. Spread the dough out and press into the tart pan with your fingers until the bottom and sides of the tart pan are lined with the dough.

Step #3: While the dough is chilling, make the filling. Warm the syrup by standing the bottle in a bowl of warm water. Measure the breadcrumbs into a medium sized bowl and drizzle the warm syrup over them. Stir gently. Combine the eggs, lemon juice and zest and cream in another bowl and whisk to combine. Fod the egg mixture to the syrup and breadcrumbs and stir until just combined.

Step #4: Pour the filling into the chilled tart crust and bake for 20 – 30 minutes until the filling is set.
Let the tart cool and then dive in!!

If you liked this Treacle Tart Recipe I’d love for you to leave me a comment and rate it!

Print Recipe

5 from 1 vote

Treacle Tart

A British classic, Treacle Tart is full of luscious caramel flavor all wrapped up in a lovely shortbread crust. Treacle is the “secret” to whipping up this easy tart anytime your sweet tooth is calling! But what is treacle? Read on to find out!!

Prep Time30 mins

Cook Time25 mins

Chilling time30 mins

Total Time55 mins

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: British

Servings: 8

Calories: 321kcal

Author: Nancy

Ingredients

For shortbread crust"

• 1 cup plus 2 Tbsp. all purpose flour
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 7 Tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 - 2 Tablespoons water optional

For the Treacle Tart Filling:

• 1 cup Lyle's golden syrup
• 6 Tablespoons fresh breadcrumbs
• 1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• zest of one lemon
• 2 eggs
• 3 Tablespoons heavy cream
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

For the shortbread crust:

• Add the flour, butter, sugar and salt to the bowl of a food processor and process until the mixture resembles wet sand, about 3 minutes. 

  Test the mixture with your fingers, when pressed it should hold together. If not, add 1 Tablespoon of water and mix again for 15 seconds. 
• Dump the dough into a 10 inch removable bottom tart pan and press into the sides and along the bottom. 

  Refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes. 
• Pre heat the oven to 350 degrees. Bake the tart shell for 15 minutes or until it is light golden brown. 

For the Treacle Tart filling:

• Pre heat the oven to 375 degrees. Place the treacle bottle into a bowl of hot water to warm. 
• Add the breadcrumbs to a bowl and drizzle the treacle over. Stir briefly to combine. 
• In another bowl, add the eggs, cream, lemon juice, zest and salt. Whisk to combine. 
• Add the egg mixture to the breadcrumb and treacle mixture. Mix until just combined. Pour into the prepared tart shell. Bake for 20 - 30 minutes or until the filling is set. 

  Remove the tart from the oven and let cool. Slice and serve! 

Notes

• Lyle's golden syrup can be found in some larger grocery stores. Cost Plus World Market also carries it as does Amazon! 
• If you can't find Lyle's golden syrup, you could substitute honey. Karo syrup doesn't have enough flavor to work in this recipe. 
• This tart is lovely on it's own, but you could also serve it with a bit of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
• You can store the tart, covered in the refrigerator for up to two days. Let come to room temperature before serving. 

Nutrition

Calories: 321kcal | Carbohydrates: 47g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 74mg | Sodium: 219mg | Potassium: 29mg | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 42g | Vitamin A: 9% | Vitamin C: 0.9% | Calcium: 2.6% | Iron: 3.1%