Father’s Day Tart: the easy recipe with tie decoration
Are you looking for an original, heartfelt idea to celebrate March 19th? The Father’s Day Tart is the perfect dessert: a fragrant shortcrust base, a shell of delicious jam and a creative decoration that will leave everyone speechless.
No need to be expert pastry chefs: in this minimal and quick version, I’ll show you how to make a beautiful shortcrust tie and the writing ‘Best Wishes Dad’ without special molds. It’s the perfect surprise to find on the table tonight when he comes back from work or for a special breakfast right after waking up. Let’s get our hands in the dough
- Difficulty: Very easy
- Cost: Economical
- Rest time: 1 Hour
- Preparation time: 30 Minutes
- Cooking time: 30 Minutes
- Portions: 4 servings
- Cooking methods: Oven
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: Father's Day
Ingredients – Father’s Day Tart
- 3 eggs
- 3 1/3 cups all-purpose flour (00)
- 7 tbsp butter (soft) (soft)
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 pinch fine salt
- 3 apples
- 3/4 cup jam (strawberry or your choice)
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- food coloring
Tools – Father’s Day Tart
- Springform pan
Steps – Father’s Day Tart
Shortcrust Pastry Preparation
Initial mixing: In a bowl, work the butter at room temperature with the powdered sugar until creamy.
Adding the ingredients: Add the flour little by little, mixing gently, and add a pinch of salt.
The eggs: Finally, incorporate one egg at a time, mixing well until the dough is uniform.
Rest: Transfer the mixture to a work surface and form a smooth ball. Wrap it in plastic wrap and let it rest in the refrigerator for at least one hour.
Rolling out: Before using, take the shortcrust out of the fridge for about 20 minutes to make it workable. Take 3/4 of it and roll it out with a rolling pin into a circle the size of your pan. Line the pan, bringing the dough up the sides for about 1/4 inch and prick the bottom with a fork.
Apple and Jam Filling
The apples: Peel the apples and cut them into small pieces.
Cooking: Put them in a small saucepan with two tablespoons of lemon juice and two tablespoons of your favorite jam.
Result: Let simmer over low heat for about 10 minutes: the apples should be soft and the mixture should be fairly dry.
Tie-Themed Decoration: The Shortcrust Tie
The design: With the remaining shortcrust, create the decoration. The tip is to first draw the outline of a tie with a collar on a sheet of paper, cut it out and use it as a guide on the rolled-out dough.
Coloring: Leave the paper template on the baking paper and have fun coloring it with the food colorings, using a new soft-bristled brush for a precise, clean effect.
Baking the base: Take the tart base out of the fridge, fill it with the apple mixture prepared earlier and level well. Bake in a preheated static oven at 356°F for about 20 minutes.
Baking the decoration: While the base bakes, bake the tie and collar of colored shortcrust separately. Leave them on their baking paper and bake at 356°F for about 8-10 minutes. Be careful: the shortcrust must bake but stay light in color so as not to ruin the colors.
Finishing: Once the base is out of the oven, spread the remaining jam over the surface of the apples to create a shiny, even finish. Gently place the tie design on top of the jam layer.
Rest: Let the tart cool completely in the pan before removing it. This step is essential to prevent the shortcrust from breaking and to allow the flavors to meld perfectly.
This Father’s Day Tart is ready to be served! A genuine, fragrant dessert with that creative touch that makes it an unforgettable gift.
HAPPY FATHER’S DAY to all the household superheroes! ❤️
Did you try this recipe? Let me know in the comments
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With affection,
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🧾 Storage
The Father’s Day Tart stays delicious for several days if you follow these simple tips:
At room temperature: You can keep it under a glass dome or in an airtight container for 2-3 days. It will remain fragrant and flavorful.
In the refrigerator: If the environment is very warm, it’s better to store it in the fridge. In that case, remember to take it out at least 30 minutes before serving to fully enjoy the softness of the apples.
Freezing: It’s not recommended to freeze the baked tart because of the cooked apples, but you can safely freeze the raw shortcrust dough (well wrapped in plastic) for up to 2 months.
✨ Tasty Variations
Want to personalize the dessert for your dad’s taste? Here are a few minimal ideas:
Choco-Dad: Replace the fruit jam with a generous layer of hazelnut spread. In this case, a white shortcrust tie will create a beautiful contrast on the dark background.
Cocoa Shortcrust: You can make a cocoa shortcrust by replacing 30 g of flour with 30 g of unsweetened cocoa powder. The tie decoration can be made with classic shortcrust to stand out.
Rustic Filling: Instead of apples, use a fig jam with chopped walnuts, or a classic apricot jam with sliced almonds.
Lactose-Free Version: Replace the butter with the same amount of high-quality vegetable butter or margarine for a version suitable for those who are intolerant.
FAQ (Questions and Answers)
Can I make the shortcrust dough the day before?
Absolutely yes! In fact, preparing the dough in advance and letting it rest in the refrigerator overnight will make it even more elastic and easier to roll out. Just remember to let it sit at room temperature for about 20-30 minutes before working it so it won’t be too hard.
How do I prevent the shortcrust tie from breaking?
The secret is to bake it separately. By baking the decoration on its own baking paper, you avoid the apples’ moisture making it soggy. Once baked, let it cool completely before moving it on top of the tart: when cold it will be much more resistant.
I don’t have food colorings, how can I decorate the tie?
No problem! You can leave it “natural” for a minimal effect, or use pantry ingredients you already have:
Unsweetened cocoa: mixed with a drop of water to make dark stripes.
Alchermes: to get a vivid red.
Melted chocolate: to use like a pen after the shape has been baked and cooled.Why should I cook the apples before putting them in the tart?
Cooking the apples in a pan for 10 minutes helps remove excess water. This step ensures that the base of your tart remains crisp and doesn’t become soggy or rubbery during oven baking.
Can I use puff pastry instead of shortcrust?
Yes, if you’re short on time you can use a ready-made sheet of puff pastry. In that case, prick the bottom well and note that baking times may be slightly shorter (about 15-18 minutes). The result will be less “cookie-like” but just as delicious.

