ÃÛÌÒÁµÈË

Epiphany Tart (Victorian Jam Tart)

Photo Credit
Susie Hughes
Catherine Boeckmann
Category
Pies and Pastries
Course
Desserts
Occasions
Christmas
Preparation Method
Bake

An old English Epiphany (January 6) tradition, this star-shaped Epiphany Tart features multicolored jams that are meant to evoke a beautiful stained glass window! As well as being very pretty, the tart is delicious and simple to make.

There seem to be two types of people when it comes to Christmas decorations: those who love them and are loathe to take them down on Twelfth Night (January 5) and those who can’t wait to see the end of them and enjoy seeing their house back to normal. If you are one of the former or one of the latter who enjoys baking, this is a neat little project that can extend the festive season, and, let’s face it, we need all the extra enjoyment we can get!

Epiphany Tart is made in a star shape and is used to celebrate Epiphany (January 6) and the arrival of the Three Kings to the Nativity (Matthew, 2 1–12.) It is a very old recipe dating back to the beginning of the 18th century and is really just a jam tart using multiple fruit jam flavors. This treat was considered a delicacy in the Victorian Age.

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Originally (and interestingly), this tart gave a few hidden insights into the household’s social standing and was apparently noted among the neighbors. It showed how devout the family was and how well they were managing. The tart has 13 spaces—meant to symbolize Jesus and the 12 disciples—and a different jam was supposed to fit each one. You were doing pretty well in the 1800s if you could rustle up that amount of jam (even today, I only managed 5!).

The Epiphany Tart is an easy recipe, fun to do with kids, and takes you back to those lovely days of summer—especially if you harvested and canned your own fruit.

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Use your favorite pastry recipe or brand, or follow the directions for homemade dough below. While the tradition is 13 different jams, fit in as many as you wish (or have on hand)! My favorites are blackberry, raspberry, fig, cherry, and apricot; check out our Jelly Making Guide if you would like to make your own bespoke jellies. You can also use marmalade, preserves, or even lemon curd.

Ready? See How to Make Epiphany Tart!

Serve a slice of tart with a good cup of tea (or pour a sherry—after all, we are trying to impress!). Enjoy!

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Pastry Dough

Ingredients
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup powdered sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cold
1 large egg yolk
milk, for brushing
Instructions
  1. Place flour, sugar, and salt in the bowl of a food processor or stand mixer or in a medium mixing bowl.
  2. Add butter and pulse until the mixture resembles bread crumbs.
  3. Add the egg yolk and mix until the dough gathers itself into a ball and pulls away cleanly from the sides of the bowl. Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap, and chill for 1 to 2 hours (or overnight). 

Jam Tart

Ingredients
6 ounces of assorted jams, preserves or marmalade
Instructions
  1. Once the dough is chilled, preheat oven to 375°F. 
  2. Butter a 9-inch pie plate or tart tin.
  3. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough so it will fit into the pie plate. Reserve 1/5 of the pastry to make your star shape.
  4. Press the dough gently into the pie plate and partially up the buttered sides, trimming away any excess that hangs over the edge.
  5. It is easiest to make a 6-point star shape which gives the traditional 13 spaces. To make the 6-point star, take the leftover dough and roll it into a long rectangle. Then cut in strips and arrange the strips as shown in the photo, pinching the dough so it makes walls that are high enough to hold pockets of jam.
  6. Bake for 25 minutes. Remove and spoon the different jams into each space between the strips. If you warm the jam first, it will be easier to spoon in.
  7. Make sure the jam does not bleed into the next segment.
  8. Brush the pastry with a little milk. Bake another 10 minutes until the jam is set and the tart is lightly browned.
  9. Cool on a rack until ready to serve.
About The Author

Catherine Boeckmann

Catherine Boeckmann loves nature, stargazing, and gardening so it’s not surprising that she and The Old Farmer’s ÃÛÌÒÁµÈË found each other. She leads digital content for the ÃÛÌÒÁµÈË website, and is also a certified master gardener in the state of Indiana. Read More from Catherine Boeckmann
 

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Comments

Janice (not verified)

10 months 3 weeks ago

This would be even more wonderful made with a Star of Bethlehem shape. It would have to be more oblong than circular, and would require nine different jams. Someone must sell jam sampler packs…

Pamela Bunyea (not verified)

10 months 3 weeks ago

Late to the party , but in response to some of the comments, the video DOES show the six-pointed star along with a five-pointed star. I think someone calling it "misleading" is pretty harsh... just make your star five or six-points, it's not that hard for heaven sakes! And it is mentioned in the article, making the SIX points allows for 13 spaces in total to fill with your jam - spaces representing the 12 apostles plus Jesus. How interesting! Just my two cents.

Pamela, you took the words right out of my mouth. Which will be full of tart this evening. Have a healthy and happy 2024!

Judy (not verified)

2 years 10 months ago

I made this recipe today. Used preserves of apricot, red raspberries, and black currents. The pastry was tough, I didn’t like it, next time I’ll use my tried and true pie crust. I agree with another commenter, it’s confusing, the video shows a 6 point start finished product is a 5 point star. It would help if the video showed how to make the star. Otherwise it’s delicious and pretty easy to make.

Katherine (not verified)

2 years 10 months ago

Looks so nice! I may try it with puff pastry or biscuit dough to have for breakfast!

Mary Harmon (not verified)

2 years 10 months ago

This looks like an interesting pastry to make but the photo of the incomplete tart is a little misleading. The finished product is a 6 pointed star but the unfinished one is only a 5 pointed star.

Denise T (not verified)

3 years 10 months ago

Thank you Zach. I was not familiar with the Hindu symbol of the Shatkona. I'm on my way to do some research. It's always a good day when you can learn something new. Having both the Jewish and Christian faiths in my family history, I'm well aware of the connection of the two religions.

Zach (not verified)

3 years 10 months ago

Yes, Christianity came out of Judaism, the star of david is also called the Shatkona in Hinduism, religious symbols are all shared throughout almost all religions regardless of meaning and also no matter how unique people think they are.

Denise T (not verified)

3 years 10 months ago

Not for nuthin', but this cake is in the shape of the Jewish star of David or Mogen David. How interesting is that? Is there a connection?