What is treacle tart? Harry Potter fans will tell you it’s Harry’s favorite dessert! This treacle tart recipe is an easy variation of the traditional and oh-so-lovely British dessert.
We are Harry Potter fans in this family but I will admit, we aren’t fully educated on all the Harry Potter foods contained throughout the series. The obvious foods come to mind: butterbeer, chocolate frogs, Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans, pumpkin pasties…
But there are quite a few Harry Potter foods I’d forgotten about, including this lovely treacle tart.
Of course, you might be wondering what IS treacle tart. Trust, you aren’t alone. I was intrigued by the dessert and not just because it has the cutest name ever. I did a little research and learned a bit more about Harry Potter’s weakness.
What Is Treacle Tart?
- Treacle tart is a British dessert.
- English author Mary Jewry published the earliest known recipe in the late 19th century.
- The tart consists of shortcrust (or pie crust) pastry and a thick filling made of golden syrup, breadcrumbs, and lemon juice or zest.
- Treacle tart is usually served warm with clotted cream, whipped cream, ice cream, or custard.
Also to note, this British dessert was featured in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Remember the creepy Child Catcher? He tried luring out the children by offering them free sweets including treacle tart (or so says Wikipedia).
All I remember from that movie were the “toot sweets” and the crazy grandpa.
But back to this easy treacle tart recipe because it’s yummy and I love talking about yummy desserts.
More recent versions of this recipe feature cream and eggs for a bit of a softer filling. This recipe is one of those versions and I think the additions are fabulous.
To make treacle tart, you need treacle syrup. And the best treacle syrup—or at least the easiest to find—is Lyle’s Golden Syrup. I picked up a bottle from Amazon.com and used over half for the recipe. I’m totally going to buy a 4-pack of the 16-ounce tins because I have a feeling I’ll be making this tart a few more times…
I also grabbed a 2-pack of tart pans. They were the perfect size for this recipe and I loved the loose bottom for serving.
Also, traditional treacle tart usually has a lattice top in addition to the pastry shell, but that would NOT be easy and I’m all about easy. Plus, without the additional pastry, you save calories, which means you feel less guilty about having a second slice. Or three.
And trust me, you’ll want seconds, especially if you make homemade whipped cream (be sure to halve the recipe!) like the kind I use in this yummy coconut poke cake.
Usually I’m all about shortcuts (i.e., a can of whipped cream rather than homemade whipped cream), but homemade whipped cream is so. dang. good. I feel the same way about pie crust but I have yet to master the homemade pie crust, which is one of the reasons I use refrigerated pie crust in this easy treacle tart.
The other reason? Homemade pie crust takes way more time and is far riskier.
I totally get why Harry Potter loves treacle tart. My family raved about this traditional British dessert even though it was sans lattice top. I liked the slightly softer filling thanks to that heavy cream and egg.
The dollop of whipped cream on top wasn’t necessary but it was delightful.
I’d never made a tart before so if I can pull off something like this, you can too! I couldn’t believe how easy it was to make this treacle tart recipe, though I did believe how easy it was to inhale. I should have saved Harry Potter a slice but I’m not that nice.
Easy Treacle Tart Recipe
EASY Treacle Tart Recipe for Harry Potter Foodies -- What is treacle tart? Harry Potter fans know it's one of Harry's favorite desserts! This treacle tart is an easy take on this traditional British dessert.
Ingredients
- 1 (9-inch) refrigerated pie crust
- 1 cup Lyle's Golden Syrup
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 1 large egg
- 1 lemon, zested
- 2 T fresh lemon juice
- 2 T butter, melted
- 1 cup bread crumbs
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Press the pie crust evenly into a 9-inch tart pan with removable bottom.
- Combine Lyle's Golden Syrup, heavy cream, egg, lemon zest, lemon juice, butter, and bread crumbs in a medium bowl. Mix until thoroughly combined. Pour into pie crust.
- Bake tart for 35 to 40 minutes or until filling is golden brown and set. (Filling will wobble a little but will firm upon cooling.) Remove from oven and allow to cool until warm. Serve topped with homemade whipped cream, clotted cream, ice cream, or custard.
- NOTE: The whipped cream topping in this coconut poke cake recipe is perfect on this treacle tart!
Notes
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving:Calories: 345Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 43mgSodium: 382mgCarbohydrates: 56gFiber: 1gSugar: 35gProtein: 4g
Catherine
Bread crumbs… how genious! I don’t often see recipes using golden syrup either. I haven’t used any in a while, so will have to look for it. This is going to be delicious!
Emily Hill
The breadcrumbs seemed bizarre but they worked!
Mirlene
This has been officially added to my must try recipe. I have never made tart before but this recipe looks easy enough to follow. Thanks for sharing.
Emily Hill
If I can do it, anyone can do it!
Julie Blanner
I’m not a Harry Potter fan, but am a huge fan of this tart! The texture is amazing!
Emily Hill
You don’t have to love Harry Potter to love this tart!
Natalia
I’ve never heard Treacle tart before, but really wish I had a slice right now! Looks very delicious
Emily Hill
My whole family enjoyed it!
Vanessa
Wow! I’ve never had Treacle Tart before and I do remember it in the Harry Potter books! Yum. Definitely a dessert I would like to try and make. It looks delicious. Thanks!
Emily Hill
It was surprisingly easy and yummy!
Elaine
I’m with you on using tart pans with removable bottoms! Makes life so much easier–and less risky!! And I also agree that homemade whipped cream is SO much better. Thanks for a fun recipe for Harry Potter fans—and anyone with a sweet tooth!
Emily Hill
Those two things really made this tart. :)
Sabrina
I love trying new things especially desserts! Sounds like we need to make it a HP movie night and all have a slice!
Emily Hill
I think you should! And make a batch of my butterbeer sandwich cookies too! :)
Annodal
Thank you for sharing this! I made it for a Harry Potter marathon that I did with my sister and it turned out so yummy! I didn’t have a tart pan and had to improvise with some aluminum foil and a round pan but it actually worked out better than I anticipated.
Heather
I have never hear of a treacle tart but my family loves Harry Potter so we need to try these!
Emily Hill
If they love Harry Potter, I bet they’ll love this tart!
Carolyn
I’ve always loved the word treacle but have never made any treacle treats. This looks great!
Emily Hill
It is the most fun word to say!
Ella
I’m British and can tell you, a lattice top is NOT traditional… it became popularized by Mary Berry, but is not the norm. You don’t have to buy Lyle’s Golden Syrup, it’s very easy to make it yourself and a lot cheaper :)
Verlina Keener
Hi. My son’s fiance is hosting a Harry Potter themed party. I will me baking a dessert from the books and selected this recipe. I am all about easy too and feel this would be perfect for me. My question is can I use a premade frozen deep dish pie crust that is in a aluminum pan? Thanks.
Emily Hill
As long as the premade pie crust isn’t actually baked already, I think it will work! You will want to defrost it before baking, of course. :)
MommaTarr
Thank you for mentioning to defrost the pie crust..
*Do you think I could use dried out brioche? For the bread crumbs
Emily Hill
Oh! I bet you could and it would taste so yummy!