Gluten Free Jam Tarts

Gluten-free jam tarts are a delightful and easy bake. Their simplicity makes them an excellent choice as a gluten-free baking activity with kids.

You can choose from lots of different jam flavours, making them all in one chosen flavour or in a variety of jam flavours. Strawberry, raspberry, blackberry and apricot are all great flavours that go well in this recipe.

If you don’t feel like making your own jam, they can all be easily sourced at your local supermarket. In fact, while it can sometimes be difficult to source ingredients for gluten-free baking, everything you need for this recipe is easily bought.

While this recipe is extremely simple and easy, the tarts actually come out looking impressive. The bright colour of the filling pops out distinctly within the pastry shell, making these visually appealing.

These gluten-free jam tarts are full of flavour with a buttery and crisp pastry paired with the fruity and sweet middle. Both kids and adults alike will love them.

Gluten-Free Jam Tart Method:

Follow this simple method to make these lovely jam tarts.

Preparation steps:

1. Preheat the oven to 180 C.
2. Grease your pastry dishes with butter.

For the pastry:

1. Sift the gluten-free flour and the xanthan gum together into a large mixing bowl.
2. Cut the cold butter into small chunks and place it into the sifted flour.
3. Use your fingertips to gently work together until it resembles a breadcrumb-like texture.
4. Alternatively, if you don’t fancy getting your hands full of flour and butter, you can pop it all into a food processor and mix (not too long) until looking like breadcrumbs.
5. Now add the water, mix in and slowly bring the mixture into a dough.
6. Knead until it’s formed a nice smooth dough.
7. Wrap in clingfilm or in a sandwich bag and place in the fridge for about 30 minutes.
8. Once you have chilled your pastry, its time to roll it out.
9. Sprinkle the countertop with some gluten-free plain flour to stop the pastry from sticking. Do this to your rolling in also.
10. Roll out your pastry to 3-4 mm thick. Then use your pastry cutter or cookie cutter to cut out your tart bases.
11. Gently place them in each of their pastry trays and push them in so they take the shape of the pastry dish.
12. Blind bake for 15 minutes in the centre of the oven.

For the jam:

to make homemade jam:

1. Place the sugar and the caster sugar in a pan and simmer on very low heat for 2o minutes until the sugar has dissolved.
2. Increase the heat until the mixture is boiling and keep stirring for around 5-6 minutes.
3. You will notice the mixture getting thicker and, at this point, reduce the heat to low again.
4. Let simmer for 2-3 more minutes and take off the heat.
5. Now you have made your Jam. Allow it to cool on a cooling rack.

Making the finished gluten-free jam tarts:

1. Take your jam and fill your tarts until nearly full. Leaving 1 or 2 mm free at the top.
2. Place in the fridge to cool and for the jam to set properly.
3. Alternatively, if you are using store-bought jam, then open the jar and use this instead.
4. To give a lovely finished look, sprinkle a little icing sugar over the top before serving.

Baking tips:

1.Keep your butter cold as your pastry won’t turn out well if it gets too warm. Try to keep the pastry cool while you are working with it also. Running your hands under cold water for 20-30 seconds should help cool them to prevent it from melting too much.

2.If you are making your own jam, pour it into the tarts while still a bit warm and then refrigerate. Your jam tarts will be smooth and shiny.

3. If you aren’t planning on eating all of your tarts within a day or two, you can keep these in the fridge (preferably in an airtight container) for up to three days; otherwise, place them in the freezer and thaw before eating.

4. Some people aren’t sure if xanthan gum is necessary. Do not omit this, as this is the only thing binding your pastry without gluten flour.

5. It doesn’t matter whether you use store-bought or homemade jam. It just depends on what you feel like at the time and what works best for you.

These gluten-free jam tarts really are easy and fun to make. While gluten-free recipes aren’t always the easiest to bake, this is one you won’t have any trouble with. You’ll be able to keep this recipe on hand to whip up in no time, whether you need a quick gluten-free dessert for guest or you just feel like a treat for yourself.