Maids of Honor

Ingredients

Pastry

• 4oz unsalted butter

• 8oz Plain flour

• 1oz Icing Sugar

• 1 egg yolk

Filling

• Raspberry jam

• 115g white sugar

• 115g icing sugar

• 115g ground almonds

• 50g fine semolina or cornmeal

• 1 egg

• 1 egg white

• 1/4 teaspoon almond extract

• Flaked almonds for topping (optional)

Instructions

Makes 18

Pastry

1. Cut the butter into cubes

2. Sift the flour into a mixing bowl and add the butter

3. Using your fingertips rub the butter into the flour until it resembles fine breadcrumbs

4. Stir in the icing sugar

5. Make a well in the center, stir in the egg yolk and about 2-3 tbsp iced water to make a soft but not sticky dough

6. Knead lightly to form a smooth dough and chill for 30 minutes

7. Lightly grease a12 x 2" tart tin

8. Roll out pastry and cut 18 3" circles. Fit one pastry circle into each tart tin. Spread one teaspoon of raspberry jam into the bottom of each tart shell. (A large wine glass is good for the cutting the circles)

Filling

1. Mix all of the dry ingredients together

2. Mix in egg, egg white, and almond essence - this should make a stiff mixture

3. Pour 1 tsp of jam into each tart shell

4. Dived the filling mixture between the tarts

5. Bake in preheated oven (375°F) for 25 minutes, until risen and firm.

Leave to cool before eating, if left for a day or more they get more chewy :Þ