Manchester Tart | School Dinner Nostalgia

Manchester Tart - sweet shortcrust pastry, raspberry jam, optional sliced bananas, set custard, a sprinkling of coconut. And if you were lucky, a cherry on top. This glorious dessert, Manchester Tart, was a staple of many a school dinner in the UK, probably up until the 80s. I loved it (except for the bananas), but never knew what it was called.
The written recipe is here: keefcooks.com/manchester-tart-...
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[@normasouthwood3182]

I left school in 1964. Manchester Tart was my all time fave dessert. Our head dinner lady was Mrs. Gresty and she was amazing. Everything was cooked on site by her own fair hand and her underlings. My mother was a wonderful cook and would not allow us to have "school dinners" unless something untoward had occured! How we loved it when that happened...Especially when it was Manchester Tart day! Mrs Gresty needs special recognition because she must have died 50 or 60 years ago, but gave us school kids good and wholesome food which was cooked on site! No way was there turkey twizzlers or lasagne etc. Just good old English food so cheap and tasty!

[@Keefcooks]

Ah, the good old days!

[@gilloliver5439]

I was at school in early 70s. This was my all time favourite school dessert. And the blamanche

[@stephenspofforth6233]

We had Manchester tart at my school in south east london. I'm 63, so it was a long time ago. I'm making some today, with the added bannana.

[@joshuacreel3000]

Honestly your series on sorta vintage British recipes is so interesting to me as someone who is both American and fairly young. It's so different to the styles of food I've had.

[@Keefcooks]

Glad you like it!

[@lindasmith6355]

Loved my school dinners this was a favourite our dinners were much better than now

[@dcw1467]

I love Manchester Tart....School Meals were all Homemade good grub ...1965 ....12yr old

[@elainewood2228]

well done keef , me and my sis loved this vid , we laffed our heads off , never had so much fun with a bit of coconut lol

[@simonlippke1798]

"I'm even thinking I should have put bananas in" What a punchline! Don't know why, but put a smile on my face :)

[@DaisyLillyxxx]

Toast coconut in a dry pan for topping beforehand , makes it extra extra delicious 🤤 😋 😁 also you can add some fresh raspberries to the custard and put some on top to decorate along with the toasted coconut 🥥

[@cdeford]

I was just about to make one of these. I'll try tour toasted coconut idea.

[@DaisyLillyxxx]

cdeford I made one last night, the toasted coconut on top made all the difference ☺️😋

[@monicas2269]

If you mix the custard powder and sugar to a thick paste with no lumps, direcly in the saucepan, then continue to add the cold milk mixing well, it saves messing about with pouring the hot milk then transferring it back into the saucepan. You just have to make sure you keep stirring as it's heating up. I usually put less milk than needed initially and once it's thickened you can add more if a thinner consistency is needed. I sort of make it up as I go along, and it's always nice.

[@LoraineGreene]

❤

[@TheGuvOfWythenshawe]

Just subscribed! Takes me right back to my primary school days, this was the mid-late 1980s for me! I don't know why but I have a feeling that the generation of today (especially those born around the late 1990s or after) would never of tried or even heard of this legendary recipe (although I am open to correction)

[@Stephanie-vx4zi]

I was at school from 1980, and we had Manchester Tart! My family are from Timperly, Altrincham. My late Mam made it. I'm making yours now. Hope its as yummy?!

[@jaindia1661]

Always remember this in primary school Manchester 70's and early 80's but it was always made with fresh bananas, and Cadburys chocolate flake over the top..don't remember the coconut flakes at all. It was my absolute favourite dessert. My older sister would make it at home sometimes and we would steal some and hide under the table. Lovely childhood memories.

[@RoseBenedictCreative]

Bananas and chocolate? Never heard of that in a manchester tart! Maybe a regional variation.

[@jaindia1661]

@RoseBenedictCreative It was always made with Cadbury Flake sprinkled on top once the custard set, even in my primary school in Longsight, and secondary school in Chorlton.

[@RoseBenedictCreative]

@@jaindia1661 Manchester tart was invented by Mrs Beeton in 1860 and didn't include coconut, bananas or chocolate, although I believe it did have lemons and brandy! It became popular again after the war, but rationing was still in place so bananas wouldn't have been available. Not sure about dessicated coconut. So there seems to be several variations.

[@jaytlamunch4459]

One of my favourites at school looks really nice, Keef will put it on my to-do list for sure.

[@leesharpe5610]

Looked lovely ,we never had this at our school in London when I was a kid ,will give it a go .Thanks

[@markwilson9061]

LEE SHARPE what was the verdict, if you can remember? 😂👍

[@chrischadwick3079]

My favourite pudding @ school in Huddersfield.

[@babsyred9710]

Absolutely love Manchester Tart.Great video thanks 👍🏻

[@keetrandling4530]

Well, your reaction sealed the deal, this goes on the must make list!

[@soriswikipediapage9131]

thank you soo much for making this video

[@LazyCookPete]

Ah sweet nostalgia! I love this dessert.

[@nannygurumi]

We had it at school in wigan. No banana and our dinner ladies put chocolate sprinkles on instead of coconut. Love it!

[@louiseahmedtropicalplantgr5000]

Ooh lovely 😍 one of my favourite school puddings. In my school they would put a layer of sliced bananas and instead of coconut it was either plain or chocolate sprinkles

[@jaseil4183]

Same here not same without Banana. Coconut sprinkled on top or even a crushed up Cadbury flake.

[@ralphrowlands3902]

Brilliant. Not cheapskate, clever and not wasteful. I wondered about the custard but it looked super. Well done.

[@sarahshaikh8191]

Perfect recreation of a childhood favorite.

[@christophelombardi7810]

I never knew about the Manchester Tart but my wife, who is from England, has fond memories of it, albeit topped with flaked almonds instead of desiccated coconut. I definitely will bake one of these for her. As for myself, being originally from France (we both live in Ireland now), the custard tart I am more familiar with is the Parisian Flan, a Tart (or cake, the way I do it, with 1.5 times the required amount of ingredients and done in a large springform tin!) with shortcrust pastry, a vanilla custard filling (homemade and with whole eggs, as opposed to crème patissière which is just the same but done with egg yolks only), and then baked for 30 to 40 minutes at 180 C (no need to bake the pastry separately) and served chilled. It's a very simple dessert but I could just feast on it! Anyway, thanks for the Manchester Tart video.

[@Keefcooks]

Parisian Flan sounds great!

[@descheers2217]

Top banana!! I love this pudding, thanks for making this video. Since I first watched it I've made several myself and used a variation of the custard mix in my trifles. Yum yum. Top job and thanks again. 👍

[@user-jj8pm5rj6m]

Thank you for making this 😁 I absolutely love Manchester Tart and have just made 4 small tarts ❤️

[@amysimonbiz]

Yummy! You make it look so simple to make!! Many hugs from across the pond in bitter cold Montana (-35F yesterday! With windchill! Today it’s -15F with windchill.).

[@dlaity107]

Our Junior School Cook, Mrs Parker, she won some big school dinners award from Mrs Thatcher and as I recall, since we were a South Manchester School, this was one of the desserts she used in her entry. We used to love her for this one especially.

[@Keefcooks]

Wow! Never even thought that dinner ladies might have names 😀

[@dlaity107]

KeefCooks She was alright, Mrs Parker. Always made sure if it was a yucky main there was always a really nice pudding & if you had a favourite veggie you could have a bigger portion. No idea how she managed it, but her team made everything from scratch (my guess is that's why Friday afternoons you had to be really quiet while she was doing her books). She was awesome. No matter what horrible thing happened, she was always there with something edible and warm.

[@ianlivsey7200]

I live in Greater Manchester, and you're right Keef, this was part of school dinner every week as I remember, and it was probably the one sweet course that NOBODY complained about as I remember, it's that good. Haven't had it in years, so I will have to have a go at making it. Incidentally, the people I buy my vape liquids from have a Manchester Tart flavour sometimes, and it's my personal favourite too.

[@chapelchicks8851]

I loved it when it had the sliced bananas in it.

[@johncartwright9029]

Make it and we all loved it will make it again 🖐👌

[@hennas87]

your videos are great, Keef. Thanks for making the effort

[@Keefcooks]

Thanks Henry!

[@dwaynewladyka577]

That looks great Keef. Cheers!

[@stealthop]

Looks wonderful Keef , cheers !

[@MoiAussie1]

Oh my, you just reminded me of this pud, my fav at school in Berkshire in the 50s 60s, also didn’t have a name for it. So thankyou will definitely make it soon 😀😋

[@fwdesecretary1500]

Moi Aussie. 50s 60s yeah👍👍👍

[@mikepetergumball8337]

I know your very proud . Good video Keef. My school days were take your own.

[@cjayishere]

An all time favourite but forgotten by many in today’s times.

[@cocinaconazucarylimon6346]

really nice, thanks for making this video

[@jean-lucpicard5510]

Thanks to you I have done my own mushy peas from Bachelors peas.

[@CreativeMood]

Never knew the name either. Just remembered the thin crust, jam, custard and coconut flakes.

[@Retro_Rich]

I had a Manchester tart for the first time today. It was like yellow shaving foam with a glacé cherry on top. The aluminium case would have been more palatable. No wonder the Gallagher brothers are mardy if they were raised on those.

[@Keefcooks]

'Mardy', lol. You have to make your own if you want a good 'un!

[@brendarigdonsbrensden.8350]

I loved this for a school dinner pudding ❤️

[@LindaEnfield]

Thanks for making this 🙂 I was thinking back to junior school when I had this and loved it! I didn’t know what it was called either but just entered the ingredients that I thought was in it and Manchester Tart came back and then I found your video. Thanks again, it looks delish 😋

[@Keefcooks]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Kaige46]

Handy hint: If you use a knife to trim the pastry, hold the tin up and cut *away* from yourself for a neat finish.

[@grayrothwell2015]

Haha this took me back. Grew up in Liverpool in late eighties, and we had this every Friday in school! Never had it since, I now want some. Cheers keef, lovin ya work.

[@Keefcooks]

It's a really good pud.

[@robertleary8301]

Had this in my school Liverpool 1972;lovely stuff, happy memories Thank you for the recipe!!!

[@Dunstire]

As a London school kid we had gipsy tart which i loved.I'd never heard of Mancester tart until now but i really like Bird's custard so will give this a try and see how the two compare in the flavour department!

[@davidhoughton5597]

I know this to be called Gypsy Tart as well and I’m from London. But I tried finding this recipe recently to make. When searching for Gypsy Tart I came across some evaporated milk and brown sugar monstrosity.

[@Dunstire]

@@davidhoughton5597 Monstrosity? That's the very one and it's lovely! Manchester tart i've never tried but it's totally different

[@lynnbean7200]

Bread pudding is completely different from bread and butter pudding. It's spicy and solid and chewy. Very delicious.

[@timgallivan1614]

thanks for the shout out Keef.

[@ALYG139]

Hi ive just subscribed to your channel was looking for a recipe for manchester tart yours was the best im going to try this recipe and some more of your recipes thankyou for sharing

[@ChrisTheButcher]

I had a Manchester Tart once....but then i married her😉

[@Keefcooks]

I just knew somebody'd say that!

[@marky437]

lmao

[@Wotdermatter]

You married a tart? Do you understand what a "tart" is/was? If you do and you are boasting or are proud of that fact, well....

[@ChrisTheButcher]

Wotdermatter does it matter. Its only a bit of fun grandad😉

[@brendastrandrigdon6201]

Oh you will get frying panned by Lou 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@lancpudn]

Lovely pudding Nice one Keef. I can remember having it for school dinners regular but the most regular in our school back then was Tapioca pudding or frog spawn as it was commonly known.

[@bossdriver1960]

Hi Keef, it was such a pleasure watching this, it really did bring back memories of the past, thanks very much. Oh by the way, guess whos having Manchester Tart tommorrow :-) Stay safe and well mate.

[@wendymarsh7786]

The only thing my partner liked about school was Manchester tart, so I've been tasked with making him.one as good as school. Fingers crossed for me. !

[@Keefcooks]

Good luck!

[@duncanlawler6426]

Further to my comment. About three years ago I think, I visited a pub called, The Swan With Two Nicks, nr Dunham Massey. It was exactly as I remembered it. Shortcrust pastry shell, spread with raspberry jam, covered with a custard filling and topped with flakes of coconut and a Maraschino cherry. I would love to go back there to see if it is on the menu.

[@jackiedavies6956]

My favourite school pud always had seconds if there where any going yum.

[@annecain3301]

Thank for the video, I wondered if you would make it as I mentioned it when you made Treacle Tart. Manchester Tart was a regular school meal pud in the 1950's/60's (showing my age now) us Scousers didn't object to eating something 'foreign ' as it tasted so good lol .

[@Keefcooks]

Sorry - shoulda done you a shoutout!

[@peterdunlop7691]

I was in primary school in Liverpool in the 80s and this was a once a week pud that was my favourite too.

[@lynnbean7200]

I well remember this dessert from the 1960s in London, both at school and home. However, we called it Devonshire tart for some reason. Also, I don't remember bananas in it at all.

[@kabbey30]

Well done, sir!

[@Beruthiel45]

I don't know what's in Bird's custard but like everyone else, for me it's to die for. I don't remember ever having this pudding at school but my school years covered the fifties and early sixties so it must have been after my time. My loss. This looks scrumptious. 👍

[@Keefcooks]

I know what's not in Bird's custard - eggs.

[@beastvader]

Looks delicious!

[@jusimons7569]

Thank you! mine will have bananas for old times sake! Also think it was still a regular until the late eighties/early nineties

[@Keefcooks]

Bananananas. Hmm, never liked them in this.

[@afishynado6812]

As a kid my favourite part of custard was eating the skin. Never heard of manchester tart before though.

[@davidphillips2259]

Never had but looks tasty 😋

[@TMHUpNorth]

That looks fantastic! Now I have an excuse for eating copious amounts of custard :D

[@brendastrandrigdon6201]

I do remember that delicious treat as I recall telling you along with pink custard over cake. I wish I could show you how to trim pastry from a pie plate maybe I should make a video on it. My mum was an excellent baker and her pie crusts were legendary and every Sunday after cleaning the house was pies, rice pudding and roast dinner followed by an evening of her ironing while we groaned through Sunday night church music with Jess Yates on the telly🤦

[@Keefcooks]

Jess Yates OMG. That pie dish is tricky 'cos it has a wide brim on it - my other ones don't so it's easy to just slice the pastry horizontally.

[@brendastrandrigdon6201]

We should Skype sometime and I'll show you how even on wide edges I just hated seeing a lovely pie shell knackered 😭🤣🤣😀

[@grayrothwell2015]

Haha Brenda strand rigdon, I was watching this vid, thinking about pink custard over cake haha and then read ya comment , never had it or seen it since.

[@mistyblue6575]

yum yum love it

[@karenjohnson1589]

If u put half the sugar, in the milk when bringing it to the boil, it helps it not burn, I am gonna do this pie on Saturday xxx

[@LoraineGreene]

Its7.30 pm and my mouth is watering watching you make and eating it. Thank you for showing me Loraine Greene. Ps I will be making it soon.

[@edieboudreau9637]

All right. Have a few questions and a possible way to make this glutenfree for those that can't have wheat/rye/barley/oats. Q. What is custard powder exactly?? Can I use 3-5 eggs & some kuzu gel instead?? The crust can be made with hazelnut meal butter & powdered/caster sugar melt butter & mix all together. Then press into tart pane & up sides. Bake as for regular crust but without weights. When starts to change color & remove. Let cool. It will be like a cookie. Next spread the jam. Add bananas IF choose. Then make filling. Whisk eggs into sugar & 2 TBSP kuzu powder(remove any kuzu lumps first) . whisk in milk mix a little at a time to avoid scrambling eggs. continue as your recipe but don't cool. Place immediately into crust. & moving fast before kuzu sets up finish recipe.

[@Keefcooks]

Custard powder 'exactly' is probably a trade secret, but I suspect it's mostly cornstarch. But you can make perfectly good custard if you're OK with eggs and milk. As for gluten-free pastry, I haven't a clue. I think the whole gluten intolerance thing is overblown - if you are one of the

[@edieboudreau9637]

KeefCooks - I have Celiac's & for me it's not enough attention on it. I'm one of the few who CAN'T have so-called glutenfree oats either. Appreciate that you don't care for the "fad-ists" as they've made it harder in many ways to avoid cross contamination issues that mean illness & pain. Please understand that before I knew I had Celiac's my addiction to what was causing my problems was total. Loved making fresh breads & would end up eating a whole loaf at one sitting.

[@bwgreen]

I recall it being a little firmer, almost like a custard tart. Looks amazing though, nice job. I'm with you on the banana. In fact I don't enjoy banana in food, however I like them as they come, there's just something about the flavour that I don't find mixes well with other food. Think I'm going to go have some malt loaf & custard now...

[@Keefcooks]

And they develop a slimy texture too. Like you, I prefer them as they come!

[@crazywidowmaker]

Certainly did!!!

[@sarahgreen5310]

We never had coconut on it in cheshire nor banana it was sprinkles Loved it...but ive been searching for years for the 80s school recipie for cheese tart 😢 i never have been able to find it

[@wendyhumphreys9709]

maybe reduce the volume of milk for the custard that way its a thicker consistency and add a few drops of cochineal to make the custard pink, ours was pink at school if I remember.

[@champagnerose999]

Yummy Dessert

[@AaronSpielman]

Before 1980 *and* in the U.K. :-P That being said, I'm gonna make this soon!

[@Keefcooks]

I don't know if it's 'just' a UK thing - I bet the Aussies and Kiwis had it too.

[@Yorkshirelass727]

Great home cooking. The bananas would be good for me. A similar taste to banoffe pie.

[@duncanlawler6426]

We had Bananas in ours.

[@MsDawnnee]

Tweezers to put cherries on...🤣

[@jamesstead2256]

i make a cake very similar called Manchester slag instead of custard i mix cornflour & coconut milk powder sugar then add to milk at bottom of pastry case jam & finally thin sliced banana add the filling top with desiccated coconut & coconut chips 🤣🤣

[@Keefcooks]

Looks like ***. Snigger.

[@davidmcgurty1691]

Keef great video and guide am doing this tommorow i have a request ...... "Eccles cakes" am basic at making cakes etc and your easy great guides thanks Keef

[@Keefcooks]

Did it 4 years ago - might be due for a remake: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ipmmf3WciLWFfq8

[@joannedoyle9184]

A good recipe, I would have loved to see you make the custard from scratch

[@Keefcooks]

Custard really isn't my strong point, but I have got a sous vide version here: keefcooks.com/english-pouring-custard-creme-anglaise-recipe

[@jimmyingham4080]

Nice man

[@MrFluero]

I am wondering what do you do the rice once you removed from the oven? Can you cook it or waste it ? Nice tart, i am going to bake one like yours soon. Thanks for sharing.

[@Keefcooks]

I let it cool down then put it back in a jar along with the greaseproof paper. It's no good for eating once it's been baked, but I'll use the same rice over and over for blind baking.

[@karatefella]

I tried to make this today using two packets of Birds Instant custard (using water, as per the instructions). I followed the instructions on the pack exactly and the custard never set. After five hours in the fridge, it was still liquid :-(

[@terriclarke9026]

good video, new subscriber

[@christinelong3382]

Thank you for this recipe, I loved this in the 50’s but didn’t know what it was called

[@standbanger2]

So looking like i have to make my own Manchester tart now because i just can't find it anymore around my way, it seems to be a dieing treat these days an that's a ashame because this is the best think to come out of Manchester an i could eat it till I'm sick! lol

[@hglundahl]

I wonder how French bakers would see this, pastry bakers, that is. You can get set custard with cherries or raspberries, or you can get it with coconut sprinkling, but nearly never or never at all have I seen both together.

[@BlueEyesWhiteGuy89]

I am looking to make this for my fathers birthday however I cannot do the pastry, Asda has sweet pastry cases already made. If I got one would it be best to pierce the bottom and bake it as you did with yours?

[@Keefcooks]

No, if they've already part-baked it with a nice flat bottom, no need to prick it again.

[@BlueEyesWhiteGuy89]

KeefCooks Ok no pierce but still bake for a bit of a crunch or would it be fine to just plop the jam and custard in and let set?

[@debbiesmith8248]

I can make Birds custard without needing to pour it back in the pan. It thickens in the jug.

[@SaposJoint]

Nice trick with the pastry, thanks! Have you ever tried chess pie? Yum.

[@Keefcooks]

Never heard of it till now Sapo, but it looks a lot like custard tart: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gGPZaKCsZrKbbs0

[@stevewhitcher6719]

Is it called a tart in the same vein as minnuzzi di sant'Àjita? I only though about it when you only had one cherry in the centre!

[@karenjohnson1589]

If u use strawberry jam instead it won't b as tangy, I presume, uve inspired me xxx

[@ellisdone0]

More Manchester food keefe! Bury Black pudding! Manchester egg! Lancashire hot pot!

[@Keefcooks]

I've done 2 of those, but never heard of Manchester egg - unless you mean a Scotch egg with black pudding round it. I'm thinking of having a go at rag pudding.

[@djtechnoid]

Thanks for that Keef!! You are Brilliant, and Wayne is going to trip out! :D

[@Keefcooks]

Yay!

[@gerardjones7881]

Grew up and went to school in M/C , never heard of it. Its probably something they just sell to tourists from Yorkshire.

[@stevereeves5248]

I was born in Manchester & went to school in Manchester. Manchester Tart was served regularly at school dinners. Definitely not something just sold to tourists. Another thing, who ever heard of tourists going to Manchester? 😂😂😂

[@BobCoxUK]

Keef my friend,when i was in school in Northfield,Birmingham we used to have a pud called chocolate chrunch,,,any chance of a recipe and cooking demo as i could slaughter one of these to myself and bring back nostalgia,,,,YUM!!!!! many thanks Bob in Brum!!!!

[@Keefcooks]

Can you describe it - does it involve cornflakes?

[@BobCoxUK]

it had the consistency of cement and rock hard like concrete,,,,no cornflakes involved,,,cheers.

[@BobCoxUK]

Keef,, i googled it, and its called chocolate concrete,,thanks for the inspiration to hunt this tasty morsel down...

[@suepearce2005]

personally i would throw the custard powder and sugar into the saucepan of milk ,and cook as opposed to mixing in jug and heating it up separately . looks a bit lumpy there Keith 👍

[@dicdougall]

Don't know why I assumed Keef would make fried chicken.

[@Keefcooks]

I do: #2486 kzbin.info/www/bejne/qJXNiKCDocZ6ebs