Lucy M. This tart is a rich, sweet treat with a deep golden filling and a crisp buttery crust.
If you love desserts that bring a warm, comforting feeling, then you’ll adore this Deep Treacle Tart. It’s a traditional British treat made with a crisp, buttery pastry shell filled with a rich, sticky syrup mixture that has just the right touch of lemon zest. The tart’s deep golden filling offers sweetness that feels like a cozy hug on a chilly day. Making a Deep Treacle Tart at home isn’t complicated, and it’s a perfect way to bring a little nostalgia to your kitchen. Whether you serve it with cream, custard, or on its own, this dessert never fails to impress. The combination of textures — crunchy pastry and gooey filling — makes it a delightful experience in every bite. I’ve enjoyed baking this tart many times, and I’m excited to share my easy, beginner-friendly recipe with you.
Ingredients
For the pastry
- 1¼ cups (150g) all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
- 1 tbsp confectioners’ sugar
- ⅓ cup (75g) salted butter
- 1 extra-large egg
For the filling
- 1⅓ cups (450g) golden syrup or light corn syrup
- About 2 cups (150g) fresh white or brown breadcrumbs
- Finely grated zest and juice of ½ large lemon
Instructions
- Make the pastry:
In a bowl, combine the flour and confectioners’ sugar. Add the cold salted butter cut into cubes. Use your fingertips to rub the butter into the flour until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs. - Add the egg:
Beat the egg lightly and pour it into the bowl. Mix gently with a fork until the dough starts to come together. If needed, use your hands to knead lightly into a smooth ball. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for about 30 minutes. - Prepare the tart shell:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly flour your work surface and roll out the chilled dough to fit a 9-inch tart pan. Press the dough into the pan and trim any excess edges. Prick the base with a fork to prevent bubbling. - Make the filling:
In a mixing bowl, combine the golden syrup, breadcrumbs, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Stir until the mixture is well blended. The breadcrumbs soak up the syrup and give the filling its signature texture. - Fill the tart:
Pour the filling into the pastry shell and spread it evenly. - Bake the tart:
Place the tart on the middle rack and bake for about 35 to 40 minutes. The filling should be set and the pastry golden brown. - Cool and serve:
Let the tart cool for at least 15 minutes before slicing. It tastes amazing warm, especially with a scoop of cream or custard.
Deep Treacle Tart
Ingredients
Method
- Make the pastry:
- In a bowl, combine the flour and confectioners’ sugar. Add the cold salted butter cut into cubes. Use your fingertips to rub the butter into the flour until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs.
- Add the egg:
- Beat the egg lightly and pour it into the bowl. Mix gently with a fork until the dough starts to come together. If needed, use your hands to knead lightly into a smooth ball. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for about 30 minutes.
- Prepare the tart shell:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly flour your work surface and roll out the chilled dough to fit a 9-inch tart pan. Press the dough into the pan and trim any excess edges. Prick the base with a fork to prevent bubbling.
- Make the filling:
- In a mixing bowl, combine the golden syrup, breadcrumbs, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Stir until the mixture is well blended. The breadcrumbs soak up the syrup and give the filling its signature texture.
- Fill the tart:
- Pour the filling into the pastry shell and spread it evenly.
- Bake the tart:
- Place the tart on the middle rack and bake for about 35 to 40 minutes. The filling should be set and the pastry golden brown.
- Cool and serve:
- Let the tart cool for at least 15 minutes before slicing. It tastes amazing warm, especially with a scoop of cream or custard.
To complement the classic richness of the Deep Treacle Tart, consider exploring our comprehensive article on Welsh cakes for another traditional British baked favorite.
Nutritional Value (per serving, serves 8)
- Calories: 380
- Fat: 14g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Protein: 4g
- Sugar: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
Conclusion
Making this Deep Treacle Tart feels like baking a little piece of tradition at home. The sticky, sweet filling balanced with lemon’s brightness is a real crowd-pleaser. I love how the crisp pastry holds everything together so perfectly. It’s a comforting dessert that never fails to bring smiles. Give this recipe a try—you’ll want to make it again and again!
