The Shortcrust Tart with Jam and Figs is an alternative way to present the classic jam tart. Here I added figs, but you can also use other fruits of your choice or just the jam. The choice is yours.

Difficulty: Easy
Cost: Affordable
Preparation time: 20 Minutes
Portions: 4/5 people
Cooking methods: Oven
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 egg
3 oz butter
2/3 cups sugar
6 tsps plum jam
6 tsps jam (Azuki red bean)
3 figs
2 tsps cream cheese
as needed butter (for the pan)
as needed all-purpose flour (for the pan)

Preparation

Place the flour in a mound on a pastry board, make a well in the center, add the eggs, sugar, softened butter and start mixing, without overworking the ingredients, until the dough is smooth and no longer sticky.
Form a ball, wrap it in wax paper and place it in the fridge for about half an hour.
Remove the dough from the fridge, discard the wax paper and divide it into 9 equal parts (about 1.8 oz each).
Slightly flatten each ball and shape it into a square.
Now, using a small square cutter (I used a chocolate piece) or your finger, make a dent in the dough.
You should create 9 small squares about 2.36 inches on each side.
Butter a square pan of 8 inches per side, flour it and then place the small squares inside.
Try to arrange them with your hands, pressing the edges of the squares together.
You can fill your squares with whatever you prefer: I used plum jam, anko (Azuki red bean jam, recipe here), fresh figs (half a fig per cookie), and cream cheese.
You’ll need about two teaspoons of jam per square.
Bake at 350°F for 20/25 minutes placing the pan on the third rack from the bottom.
And enjoy your meal!

Tips/Suggestions

To fill your squares, you can use the jam or marmalade you prefer, as well as the fruit.

If you don’t have a square tool to make the hole, you can also use something round (I’ve sometimes used half of a tea infuser and then widened the dough with my hands while arranging it in the pan).

If you want to fill the squares only with jam, you’ll need about 9 oz (if you make bigger holes with half a tea infuser).

You can make the hole larger or smaller, depending on whether you prefer more filling or more shortcrust pastry.

If you liked the Shortcrust Tart with Jam and Figs, try other recipes with figs:

Fig Cheesecake without Cream

Fig Tart filled with Milk Cream

Cinnamon Shortcrust Baskets with Figs and Strawberry Grapes

Shortcrust Ring filled with Figs, Apples, and Almonds