These little treacle tartlets are buttery and sweet, and have a hint of citrus that makes them extra special. These British desserts have a texture similar to pecan pie, soft and sticky. Made with golden syrup and breadcrumbs, they’re perfectly gooey and hard to resist, especially with a splash of double cream on top. Perfect for dessert or an afternoon treat!
Mini Treacle Tarts
I discovered treacle tart by chance in a small dessert shop on a quiet street in the Scottish Borders. The shop was easy to miss, tucked between a cozy knitwear store and a little bookstore. But the warm smell of baking pulled me in, and when I stepped inside, it felt like I'd entered a hidden gem.
The friendly shop owner, with a lovely Scottish accent, offered me a slice of “treacle tart.” I'd heard of it before, but I’d never tried it. She said it was a simple but beloved British treat, made with just a few ingredients.
One bite and I understood why! The flaky crust was buttery, and the filling was warm and sweet, with a hint of lemon. It was cozy and delicious, just the sort of dessert you’d want on a rainy day. I finally saw why Harry Potter might love it so much, it felt like a hug in dessert form.
When I asked for the recipe, she smiled and said it was easy: golden syrup, breadcrumbs, and a few other simple ingredients. She told me I could find Lyle’s Golden Syrup at home, near the pancake syrups.
Jump to:
⭐Why You'll Love This Treacle Tartlets
- Easy to Make: This dessert is so simple but looks and tastes amazing! With just a few basic ingredients and ready-rolled pastry, it's perfect for beginners and will impress everyone.
- Perfect Portions: Instead of a big pie, these tartlets give you individual servings, which are great for sharing, gifting, or enjoying all to yourself. They’re perfect for tea time, parties, or a sweet snack.
- Versatile: These tartlets are delicious warm from the oven or at room temperature. You can serve them with ice cream, cream, custard, or just as they are, either way, they're a treat.
- Classic Comfort: Treacle tarts are a British favorite, full of comforting, nostalgic flavors. These mini versions take that cozy tradition and make it feel a bit more special for any occasion.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: You can easily make these tartlets ahead of time and store them at room temperature for a couple of days. They're great for prepping in advance for a gathering or enjoying as a sweet treat throughout the week.
🧾Treacle Tartlets Ingredients
Here’s what you need to make this Treacle Tartlets:
For the Tart Shells:
- Ready-Rolled Shortcrust Pastry: I love using store-bought shortcrust pastry because it’s quick and gives the tartlets a nice, buttery, and crumbly base. It holds the rich filling perfectly and adds a mild flavor that balances the sweetness of the treacle. Plus, using ready-rolled pastry makes it so much easier and saves time!
For the Filling:
- Golden Syrup: I use golden syrup to give the filling its signature smooth texture and beautiful shine. This amber syrup is sweet and slightly caramel-flavored, making it the heart of the treacle tart’s taste.
- Lemon: A little lemon zest and juice really brighten up the filling! The zest adds a fresh citrusy aroma, and the juice helps cut through the sweetness, balancing the flavor and keeping the filling from being too sugary. It also helps the syrup set nicely.
- White Breadcrumbs: Fresh white breadcrumbs are perfect for the filling. They give it a soft, slightly chewy texture and help absorb the syrup, making the filling thicker and more pudding-like. The breadcrumbs also bind everything together for a smooth, cohesive tart.
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
👩🏻🍳How to Make Treacle Tartlets
These step-by-step instructions and photos will help you to visualize how to make this recipe. See the recipe card for a printable version of this recipe.
1. Cut shortcrust pastry into circles to line the tins, press the pastry gently into the tins, covering the base and sides, then trim any excess from the edges.
2. Prick the bottom of each tart shell with a fork, then line with parchment paper and fill with baking beans.
3. Bake according to the pastry package instructions, about 10-12 minutes, or until the edges begin to brown. Take out the parchment and beans, then set them aside.
4. In a saucepan, heat the golden syrup over low heat, stirring occasionally until it becomes thinner, but don't let it boil.
5. Add the lemon zest, juice, and breadcrumbs, and stir well. Cook for 1-2 minutes.
6. Spoon the treacle filling into the tartlet shells and smooth the top with the back of a spoon.
7. Bake the tartlets in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for 15 minutes. Then reduce the temperature to 160°C (320°F) and bake for another 15 minutes.
8. Let the tartlets cool for a few minutes in the tins, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Serve warm or at room temperature.
💭Tips for Recipe Success
Keep the Pastry Cold: Chilling the pastry before using it helps prevent shrinkage. If you’re using store-bought shortcrust, give it a few minutes in the fridge before rolling it out or pressing it into the tart tins.
Use Fresh Breadcrumbs: Fresh breadcrumbs are key to getting the perfect filling texture. They absorb the syrup nicely, making the filling soft and almost custard-like. You can easily make your own by blitzing soft white bread in a food processor.
Be Careful with Golden Syrup: Golden syrup is the heart of the filling, so heat it gently over low heat until it’s fluid. Don’t let it boil, or it might become too thin and affect the filling's consistency.
Make Ahead: You can prepare the tartlet shells and filling ahead of time. Just store them in an airtight container and assemble them when you’re ready to bake.
Storage: These tartlets last for 2-3 days at room temperature in an airtight container. To keep them longer, refrigerate them for up to a week and reheat them gently in the oven to restore their crispness.
❓Commonly Asked Questions
What is a treacle tart?
A treacle tart is a traditional British dessert made with a shortcrust pastry filled with a sweet mixture of golden syrup, breadcrumbs, and lemon juice.
🍰More Tart Recipes to Try!
If you're loving these Treacle Tartlets, you'll also adore these delicious tart recipes:
🍰More Dessert Recipes!
Here are more of my favorite dessert recipes! Try these:
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📖 Recipe
Treacle Tartlets
Ingredients
For the Tart Shells:
- 2 Sheet Shortcrust Pastry Ready Rolled
For the Filling:
- 400 g Golden Syrup
- Zest of 1 Lemon
- Juice of 1 Lemon
- 150 g Fresh White Breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Unroll the shortcrust pastry sheets and cut them into circles large enough to line. (you can use a cutter or a glass bowl to guide you).
- Gently press the pastry circles into the tins, ensuring they cover the base and sides. Trim off any excess pastry from the edges.
- Prick the bottom of each tart shell with a fork. Line the pastry shells with baking parchment and fill them with baking beans.
- Bake as per pastry package instructions for about 10-12 minutes or until the edges are just starting to brown.
- Remove the parchment and beans. Set aside.
- In a saucepan, gently heat the golden syrup over low heat, stirring occasionally until it becomes more fluid (but not boiling).
- Stir in the lemon zest, lemon juice, and breadcrumbs, mixing well. Cook for 1-2 minutes.
- Spoon the treacle filling into the tartlet shells, distributing evenly. Smooth the top with the back of a spoon.
- Bake the tartlets in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) with a fan for 15 minutes. Then lower the temperature to 160°C (320°F) and bake for another 15 minutes.
- Allow the tartlets to cool for a few minutes in the tins before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
John says
These tartlets are pure heaven! So buttery and flavorful.
A classic treat, done right.