Sticky Plum Tart

Sticky Plum Tart is a delicious dessert that showcases the sweet and tangy flavors of plums in a tender and buttery pastry. This delightful treat combines the juicy plums with a hint of cinnamon and a sticky glaze of apricot jam. It is the perfect dessert to enjoy during plum season or any time you’re craving a fruity and comforting dessert.

INGREDIENTS:

• 100g/4oz plain flour
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Pinch of salt
• 75g/3oz butter
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 tablespoon chilled water
• 450g/1lb plums, halved, stoned, and diced
• 25g/1oz caster sugar
• 3 tablespoons apricot jam

PREPARATIONS:

1. Sift the plain flour into a blender or food processor. Add the ground cinnamon, salt, butter, and egg yolk. Process for 30 seconds or until the ingredients are evenly combined.
2. Add the chilled water to the mixture and process for a further 30 seconds.
3. Lightly knead the dough together and roll it out to a circle about 25.5cm/10in in diameter. Place the rolled-out dough on a baking tray and chill it for 10-15 minutes.
4. Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F/Gas mark 6.
5. Prick the pastry all over with a fork to prevent it from puffing up during baking. Bake the pastry for 20-25 minutes or until it turns golden brown.
6. Arrange the diced plums evenly over the cooked pastry and sprinkle them with caster sugar.
7. Place the tart back in the oven and bake for 40-45 minutes until the plums are tender.
8. In a small saucepan, melt the apricot jam with 2 tablespoons of water. Bring the mixture to a boil and let it bubble for 1 minute.
9. Remove the tart from the oven and brush or spoon the warm apricot jam glaze over the plums to give them a beautiful shine and stickiness.

YIELD: Serves 6

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:

• Ensure the pastry is properly chilled before rolling it out to prevent shrinkage during baking.
• Pricking the pastry with a fork prevents it from rising too much and helps create an even bake.
• Choose ripe and flavorful plums for the best taste and texture in the tart.
• Be careful not to overbake the tart to maintain the tenderness and juiciness of the plums.
• Brush or spoon the apricot jam glaze over the tart while it is still warm to ensure easy spreading and a glossy finish.

TIPS:

• Serve the Sticky Plum Tart warm or at room temperature, accompanied by a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
• Dust the tart with a sprinkle of powdered sugar before serving for an extra touch of elegance.
• Experiment with different types of stone fruits, such as peaches or nectarines, to create your own variations of this tart.
• This tart can be made in advance and reheated in the oven before serving for a stress-free dessert option.

In conclusion, Sticky Plum Tart is a delightful dessert that combines the sweetness and tanginess of plums with a tender and buttery pastry. The addition of ground cinnamon and a sticky apricot jam glaze enhances the flavors and adds an irresistible touch to this classic treat.

To prepare the tart, a simple pastry dough is made and rolled out before being baked until golden brown. Diced plums are then arranged on top of the cooked pastry and sprinkled with caster sugar. The tart is returned to the oven to allow the plums to become tender and juicy. Finally, a glaze made from melted apricot jam is brushed or spooned over the warm tart to give it a beautiful shine and stickiness.

Serve the Sticky Plum Tart warm or at room temperature, accompanied by a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delicious and comforting dessert. The combination of the buttery pastry, juicy plums, and sticky glaze is sure to delight your taste buds.