No-bake Cherry Bakewell Tart
Just like Banoffee Pie, Bakewell tart is such a classic British dessert that you’ll find in most cake shops, bakeries and served in many cafes and coffee shops. If you’re not familiar with this dessert, it’s basically made up of short crust pastry, a layer of jam, a frangipane (almond filling) layer, and topped off with flaked almonds.
Of course the traditional Bakewell tart recipe, as delicious as it is, does’t have much to offer in terms of nutrition and is full of animal fat and sugar.
This recipe contains no refined flours (lots of nuts instead!) and is higher in omega 3, fibre, calcium, iron, selenium, manganese and vitamin E. It’s also lower in calories and saturated fat.
To make the jam layer, most recipes use raspberry jam or preserve, but instead I’m making a cherry jam layer. Why? No specific reason, apart from the fact I had cherries in the freezer and no raspberries! If you prefer raspberries, use raspberry jam (find the recipe here) and if you don’t feel like making your own jam, you can always use a ready made jam, something like this raspberry preserve.
The base is made up of a mixture of dates, almonds and a bit of coconut oil to help the mixture bind together. The marzipan layer is made using a simple mixture of ground almonds, almond extract and just enough liquid sweetener to turn it into a paste. Finally, the jam layer – made using frozen cherries, chia seeds and xylitol to sweeten.
This no-bake cherry Bakewell tart is also vegan, dairy-free and gluten-free. It’s almost raw – if you would like to make it fully raw you can blend the frozen cherries with the chia seeds in a blender and turn it into a raw jam.
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That is calling me! Love the cherry and that lovely raw base! Perfect bite of sweet and tart!
I would definitely use a substitute for xylitol in this and all recipes that call for it.
While it is true that xylitol is a naturally occurring substance, manufactured xylitol is another matter entirely. Commercially available xylitol is produced by the industrialized process of sugar hydrogenation. In order to hydrogenate anything, a catalyst is needed, and in the case of xylitol, Raney nickel is used which is a powdered nickel-aluminum alloy.
I bet this would also taste great with raspberry jam – a lot like the Swedish Mazarin dessert which can be made as a cake or individual tarts. I can’t wait to try it.
Wowsers! Love this idea – a healthy Bakewell! I have most of the ingredients so need to try this. Where might I find xylitol? xx
Nadia, this looks insane! It’s like you heard my prayers!
This is gorgeous Nadia! Cherry bakewell is an all time favourite dessert of mine, and I love that you made such a healthy version! I definitely have to try this!
This looks amazing Nadia and I could just go a big slice of this right now. I make my healthy jam with chia seeds too and I just love the texture.
Well Nadia, for not being a dessert person I must say I am nearly drooling here. This looks fantastic. I need to try it for myself as I think this might be something my cancer nutrition groups might appreciate! really lovely xx
I love that this is no-bake and healthy! You can’t even tell by the look of it, it looks so rich and decadent, yum!
Love your healthy desserts! Looks amazing!
This recipe sounds (and looks) great! I love how simple and healthy this tart is. Great for entertaining. I definitely want to try this recipe out.
Loooooooooooove bakewell tart! Amazing recipe, Nadia 😀
I LOVE THIS RECIPE. I really enjoy a slice of bakewell tart with custard as a dessert and I’m missing pastry since I’m trying to be good and eat well in January. I think I’ll have to whip this up and see if it will quench my thirst for pastry and all things naughty. I bet it will!
What a beautiful idea, Nadia. I’ve only recently made a bakewell tart for the first time using a friend’s recipe and loved it and have been toying around with the idea of making a raw bakewell cake. Yours looks absolutely beautiful ♥
Tried this for the first time, it tastes incredible and a real treat after a long cycle ride!! Can anyone help though as to why my jam seeped into the mazipan layer? We didn’t eat it straight away it sat in the fridge for a few hours after it was removed from the freezer. Maybe the jam hadn’t set enough? Does taste incredible though!!
Hi Nadia,
I absolutely love this No-Bake Cherry Tart.
I would also love to feature it in our website Greenthickies. Would it be all right if I used one image for it? I will not be posting the actual recipe, but only one image, title, a small quote and then link directly back to the recipe on your site. Would it be okay?
Thanks 🙂
Wow! This is delicious! I’m making it for the second time.
I substitute the xylitol with agave nectar.
Thanks for the recipe
Oh Lord. Love it so much. Great for Easter I think