What is a Bakewell tart?

A Bakewell tart is a pastry consisting mostly of almond custard (known as frangipane) and raspberry jam. The crust is typically a blind-baked, crumbly shortcrust rather than a flaky pie crust. Raspberry jam layers the bottom while frangipane covers the top.

Though you might be familiar with the tart from watching The Great British Baking Show, it’s been around far longer than the show. Created in the town of Bakewell in Derbyshire, England, the tart’s date of origin is up for debate. Some claim it was invented in 1820 by accident at the White Horse Inn, while others claim it was invented in the 1860s at the Old Original Bakewell Pudding Shop. One thing is for certain, though. You’ll want to savor every bite of the town’s eponymous dessert.