Cherry Vanilla Shortbread Tart

4.94 from 31 votes

A sumptuous summer fruit dessert that will wow everyone at the dinner table.

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Keyword cherry tart, cherry tart recipe, cherry tart with shortbread crust

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 40

Total Time 55

Servings Slices

Calories 395

1 cup cherry preserves or good quality cherry jam
1 cup fresh or frozen pitted cherries Note: if using frozen cherries, defrost before using and strain the juices.

Preheat the oven to 350F/160C.
Grease a 9-inch removable-bottom tart pan and place this on a baking tray.
Using a food processor or mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter, sugar, vanilla and brown sugar vigorously until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes. It’s an important step to beat the butter and sugar well together when making shortbread as this ensures the shortbread is light, crisp and will hold together.
In a separate bowl, sift the flour and salt. Add it to the butter mixture and mix until blended (forming large clumps).
Turn onto a floured surface and using floured hands, press two-thirds of the mixture evenly into the prepared pan (including the sides).
Spread with the cherry preserves or jam evenly over the dough, leaving a 1⁄4-inch border and then scatter with the cherries.
Crumble the remaining dough into large crumbs and scatter evenly over the filling, covering most of the surface.
Bake the tart for 40 - 45 minutes, until lightly browned.
Leave to cool completely in the pan.

In a small bowl whisk together the powdered sugar, vanilla, butter and one tablespoon of the milk. If it looks too thick, you can add a second tablespoon of milk.
Drizzle the cooled tart with the icing, remove from the pan and serve on the base.