The Manchester tart is a traditional English baked tart consisting of a shortcrust pastry shell spread with raspberry jam, covered with a custard filling and topped with flakes of coconut and a Maraschino cherry. A common variation has a layer of thinly-sliced bananas under the custard. Robinson's Bakers of Failsworth advertises itself as the home of the Manchester tart.

History

The recipe for the Manchester Tart was first published in 'The Book of Household Management' by Mrs Beeton under the name 'Manchester Pudding'. The recipe consisted of puff pastry with a layer of jam and custard poured on top, topped with a sprinkling of sugar. During the 1970s and 1980s, Manchester Tarts were regularly served in school dinners, often alongside hot custard. The tarts usually contained coconut and a cherry, and sometimes also a layer of chopped banana between the custard and the jam.