Mary Berry Goats Cheese and Shallot Tart With Walnut Pastry

Mary Berry Goats Cheese and Shallot Tart With Walnut Pastry

This tart saved me one Saturday afternoon when I had guests coming and a fridge full of shallots that needed using. Iโ€™d never made walnut pastry before and wasnโ€™t totally convinced itโ€™d be worth the extra stepโ€”but wow. Itโ€™s nutty, crisp, and completely transforms the whole thing from โ€œniceโ€ to โ€œhow did you make this?โ€

The first time I made it, I rushed the shallots and ended up with something more sautรฉed than caramelised. It still tasted good, but it didnโ€™t have that jammy sweetness you want against the tang of goatโ€™s cheese. Let me show you how I fixed thatโ€”and how this tart now makes regular appearances in my kitchen.

THE SECRET BEHIND THIS BAKE

Itโ€™s all about contrast: sweet, sticky shallots against creamy goatโ€™s cheese, all held in a flaky pastry that actually tastes of something. Most savoury tarts go for shortcrust pastry, but the chopped walnuts pressed into the dough add a proper toasty richness. Itโ€™s clever, and it works.

Alsoโ€”mini tarts instead of one big one? Smart. They bake quicker and hold their shape better, especially with a wetter filling like this one.

INGREDIENTS + WHY THEY MATTER

  • Plain flour (175g) โ€“ Your pastry base. Donโ€™t overwork it or it goes tough.
  • Butter (100g, cold, cubed) โ€“ Needs to be cold to create a flaky crumb.
  • Egg (1 medium, beaten) โ€“ Binds the dough. Saves adding too much water.
  • Walnuts (30g) โ€“ Roughly chopped, then pressed into the rolled pastry. Adds texture and flavour.
  • Banana shallots (500g) โ€“ Sweeter than regular shallots, caramelise beautifully.
  • Balsamic vinegar (2 tbsp) โ€“ Deep, dark, tangy sweetness. Worth using the good stuff here.
  • Light muscovado sugar (1 tbsp) โ€“ Helps the shallots get sticky and rich.
  • Goatโ€™s cheese (300g) โ€“ Use soft, creamy goatโ€™s cheese. A log-style works well.
  • Eggs (2 medium) โ€“ Combine with cheese to make the filling light and set nicely.
  • Fresh parsley (2 tbsp) โ€“ Brightens the whole dish. Save a bit for garnish.

MAKING IT YOURS (WITHOUT RUINING IT)

  • Nut-free? Leave out the walnutsโ€”the pastry still works without them.
  • No banana shallots? Red onions will do, just slice them thin and cook low and slow.
  • Want a sharper filling? Add a teaspoon of Dijon mustard to the cheese mix.
  • Gluten-free? I tried with a GF flour blendโ€”it worked, but needed an extra splash of water to hold together.

MISTAKES Iโ€™VE MADE (AND HOW TO AVOID THEM)

What Went WrongWhy It HappensHow to Fix It
Shallots werenโ€™t caramelisedRushed the cookingCook low and slowโ€”about 25 minutes total
Pastry shrank in ovenDidnโ€™t chill before bakingChill the dough in tins for 15โ€“20 mins
Filling overflowedOverfilled the pastry casesLeave a bit of room for it to rise slightly
Pastry soggy on the bottomUsed a cold trayPreheat your baking tray in the oven first

HOW TO MAKE MARY BERRYโ€™S GOATS CHEESE AND SHALLOT TART WITH WALNUT PASTRY

  1. Preheat the oven
    Set to 200ยฐC/180ยฐC fan/Gas 6. Slide a large baking sheet in to heat.
  2. Make the pastry
    Pulse flour, butter, salt in a food processor until breadcrumb-like. Add egg and a splash of water. Mix to a dough. Roll to 3mm thick.
  3. Add the walnuts
    Sprinkle chopped walnuts over the rolled pastry. Cover with cling film and roll again to press them in.
  4. Cut and line the tins
    Use a cutter or saucer to cut 8 large circles. Line two 4-hole Yorkshire pudding tins. Chill while you prep the filling.
  5. Caramelise the shallots
    Cook sliced shallots in oil for 2 mins on high. Lower heat, cover and cook 10 mins. Add vinegar and sugar. Cook 15 more mins until sticky and dark.
  6. Make the filling
    Mix goatโ€™s cheese, eggs, 1 tbsp parsley, salt and pepper until smooth.
  7. Assemble the tarts
    Prick chilled pastry bases. Divide shallots between cases, then pour cheese mixture over the top.
  8. Bake
    Bake on the hot tray for about 20 minutes until golden and set. Sprinkle with parsley and serve warm or cold.

TIPS FROM MY KITCHEN

  • I always chill the pastry in the tins before bakingโ€”it holds its shape much better.
  • I press the walnuts in gently with cling filmโ€”saves the rolling pin sticking.
  • I let the shallots cool before adding themโ€”hot filling makes the pastry soggy.

STORAGE + SERVING

  • Keeps โ€“ 3 days in a sealed container in the fridge.
  • Reheats โ€“ 180ยฐC oven for 5 mins. Avoid microwavesโ€”the pastry softens.
  • Serve with โ€“ Rocket salad, tomato chutney, or just on their own with a glass of something cold.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: Can I make one big tart instead of minis?
A: Absolutelyโ€”just use a 23cm tart tin and add 5โ€“10 mins to the baking time.

Q: Can I make the pastry ahead of time?
A: Yes, the dough keeps in the fridge for 2 days or can be frozen. Let it come to fridge temp before rolling.

Q: Do I need a food processor for the pastry?
A: Not at all. I usually rub the butter in by handโ€”more control, less washing up.

Q: Can I swap the goatโ€™s cheese for something milder?
A: Cream cheese works, but the tang of goatโ€™s cheese is part of the charm here.

Try More Recipes:

Mary Berry Goats Cheese and Shallot Tart With Walnut Pastry

Course: Side DishesCuisine: BritishDifficulty: Easy
Servings

6

servings
Prep time

30

minutes
Cooking time

20

minutes
Calories

350

kcal

This rich and elegant tart pairs sweet balsamic shallots with creamy goatโ€™s cheese, all tucked into a crisp walnut pastry. Itโ€™s satisfying, simple, and lovely warm or cold.

Ingredients

  • For the Pastry
  • 175g plain flour, plus extra for dusting

  • 100g cold butter, cubed

  • 1 medium egg, beaten

  • 30g walnuts, roughly chopped

  • Salt and pepper

  • For the Filling
  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil

  • 500g banana shallots, thinly sliced

  • 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar

  • 1 tbsp light muscovado sugar

  • 300g soft goatโ€™s cheese

  • 2 medium eggs, beaten

  • 2 tbsp chopped parsley

Directions

  • Preheat oven to 200ยฐC/180ยฐC fan/Gas 6. Heat a baking tray inside.
  • Make pastry: rub or blitz flour, butter, and salt. Add egg and water. Chill.
  • Roll out, add walnuts, cut into circles. Line tins and chill.
  • Cook shallots slowly with oil, vinegar, and sugar until caramelised. Cool.
  • Mix cheese, eggs, and parsley. Season.
  • Prick pastry bases. Add shallots, then cheese mix.
  • Bake on hot tray for 20 mins. Garnish with parsley and serve.

Notes

  • Chill pastry before bakingโ€”prevents shrinking.
  • Donโ€™t rush shallotsโ€”caramelise slowly for best flavour.
  • Use soft goatโ€™s cheeseโ€”it blends more easily with eggs.
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