Juicy Puff Pastry Jam Tarts

Here’s my go-to recipe for puff pastry jam tarts, made with store-bought puff pastry (no shame in that!), your favorite jam, and a simple egg wash that gives them a nice golden finish.

These little tarts are always a hit at my house – especially on lazy Sunday afternoons with a cup of tea. I usually make a double batch because they disappear so quickly, and my kids love helping to fill them with different jams. There’s something special about warm pastry and sweet jam, don’t you think?

What Kind of Puff Pastry Should I Use?

Store-bought puff pastry is perfectly fine for this recipe and will save you hours of work compared to making it from scratch. You’ll find it in the freezer section of most grocery stores, typically sold in sheets or blocks. All-butter puff pastry tends to give the best flavor and flakiest results, but the standard varieties made with vegetable fats work well too. Just make sure to thaw your pastry in the fridge overnight or for about 4 hours at room temperature – trying to work with partially frozen pastry can lead to cracks and tears. Remember to look for a pastry that’s already rolled into sheets if you want to make this recipe even easier.

Options for Substitutions

This simple recipe has just a few ingredients, but here’s what you can swap if needed:

• Puff pastry: While puff pastry gives the best flaky results, you could use shortcrust pastry as an alternative. Just keep in mind the texture will be more crisp than flaky. I wouldn’t recommend using phyllo dough as it’s too delicate for these tarts.
• Fruit jam: The great thing about these tarts is that you can use any jam flavor you like! Try strawberry, raspberry, apricot, or even marmalade. You can also use fruit preserves or fruit curd – lemon curd makes really nice tarts. Just avoid using jelly as it tends to become too runny when baked.
• Icing sugar: If you’re out of icing sugar, you can make your own by blending regular granulated sugar in a food processor until it’s very fine. Or simply skip it – the tarts will still be sweet enough from the jam!

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Baking

The biggest challenge when making puff pastry tarts is dealing with temperature – working with warm pastry will make it sticky and impossible to handle, so keep it chilled until you’re ready to use it and work quickly once you start.

Another common mistake is overfilling the tarts with jam – stick to about 1 teaspoon per tart, as the jam will bubble and expand during baking, potentially overflowing and making a sticky mess in your oven.

For the crispiest results, make sure to prick the base of each tart several times with a fork before adding the jam, and don’t skip chilling the assembled tarts for 15-20 minutes before baking – this helps the pastry maintain its shape and creates those lovely flaky layers.

Remember to let the tarts cool completely before dusting with icing sugar, otherwise the sugar will melt and disappear into the warm jam.

What to Serve With Jam Tarts?

These sweet little puff pastry jam tarts are perfect for afternoon tea or dessert time! A cup of hot tea or coffee makes the perfect warming drink to go alongside – I especially love Earl Grey or English Breakfast tea with these treats. For an extra special touch, serve them with a dollop of fresh whipped cream or vanilla ice cream on the side. If you’re hosting a proper tea party, pair these tarts with some fresh fruit like strawberries or raspberries to balance out the sweetness.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: These jam tarts are best enjoyed the day they’re made, but you can keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Place a piece of parchment paper between layers to prevent them from sticking together. The pastry might lose some of its crispness over time, but they’ll still taste good!

Make Ahead: Want to prep these in advance? You can assemble the tarts and freeze them unbaked! Just place them on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. They’ll keep for up to 1 month. When ready to bake, no need to thaw – just add an extra 2-3 minutes to the baking time.

Refresh: If your stored tarts have lost their crispness, pop them in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 3-4 minutes. This will help restore some of that lovely flaky texture. Just keep an eye on them to make sure the jam doesn’t bubble over!

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	10-15 minutes
Total Time	20-30 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 400-450
• Protein: 4-6 g
• Fat: 20-25 g
• Carbohydrates: 55-60 g

Ingredients

• 1 sheet puff pastry
• 20 teaspoons fruit jam
• 1 tablespoon icing sugar

Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Puff Pastry

Start by preheating your oven to 180°C (356°F).

While the oven is heating up, take a sheet of puff pastry and cut it into even squares.

Use a knife to lightly score a smaller square in the center of each puff pastry square.

This will create a border when baked.

Step 2: Add the Jam Filling

In the small square you have scored, add a teaspoon of your favorite jam.

Ensure the jam is centered within the square to prevent spilling over the sides during baking.

Step 3: Arrange and Bake the Tarts

Place the jam-filled puff pastry squares onto a baking sheet, ensuring they are spaced apart to allow for expansion as they bake.

Transfer the baking sheet into the preheated oven and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed and golden brown.

Step 4: Cool and Finish with Powdered Sugar

After baking, remove the jam tarts from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for about 10 minutes.

Once cooled, lightly sprinkle powdered sugar on top for added sweetness and presentation.

Your jam tarts are now ready to serve!