Coconut Tarts with Strawberry Jam Filling Recipe
These Coconut Tarts are a nostalgic treat inspired by a WWII-era recipe sent to soldiers by grandma. With a perfectly balanced sweetness and a tender tart shell filled with a buttery coconut mixture and a hint of strawberry jam, they make for a delightful snack or dessert. The recipe has been adjusted to reduce sugar content while preserving the classic flavor and texture.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Total Time: 1 hr 5 mins
- Yield: 12 mini tarts
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Ingredients
For the Tart Shells
- 12 (2 inch) frozen mini tart shells
For the Coconut Filling
- ¼ cup melted butter
- ¼ cup white sugar
- 1 egg
- 2 teaspoons evaporated milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup flaked coconut
- 2 tablespoons strawberry jam
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) and arrange the frozen mini tart shells evenly on a baking sheet to prepare for filling.
- Prepare Coconut Mixture: In a mixing bowl, beat together the melted butter, white sugar, egg, evaporated milk, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and fully combined. Then stir in the flaked coconut to create the tart filling.
- Assemble Tarts: Place ½ teaspoon of strawberry jam into the bottom of each mini tart shell to add a burst of fruity flavor. Next, spoon about 1 tablespoon of the coconut mixture over the jam, filling each shell carefully without overflowing.
- Bake: Bake the assembled tarts in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes, or until the tart shells are golden and the coconut topping has a light golden brown color.
- Cool: Remove the tarts from the oven and allow them to cool completely on a wire rack before serving, which helps the filling to set perfectly.
Notes
- Using frozen tart shells saves time and ensures a crisp base for the filling.
- The strawberry jam adds a subtle fruity sweetness that complements the coconut.
- You can substitute strawberry jam with other fruit preserves like raspberry or apricot if desired.
- Make sure to cool the tarts fully before eating to avoid the filling being too soft.
- For a toasted coconut flavor, lightly toast the flaked coconut before mixing it in.
