These cute ladybird jam tarts are filled with raspberry jam and decorated as ladybirds. Perfect for Valentine’s Day and Mother’s day baking.
Jam Tarts
Jam tarts are such a classic British bake, and I’d definitely class them as a snack, they’re small, sweet, and perfect for enjoying throughout the day. They’re also ideal for packing into lunch boxes for both kids and adults, especially when they’re as cute as these ladybird jam tarts.
These little jam tarts taste just as good as they look. They’re super adorable, easy to make, and a great baking project to enjoy with kids during weekends or school holidays. Even better, they’re quick to prepare and bake, meaning you can have them ready to eat within the hour, making them perfect for a last-minute snack or sweet treat.
If you’re short on time, you can absolutely use ready-made shortcrust pastry, but homemade pastry is surprisingly easy to make and adds a delicious buttery flavour. These jam tarts are filled with raspberry jam, although strawberry jam works just as well, any red jam is perfect for creating the ladybird design. If you’d rather make classic jam tarts, you can also use lemon curd or blackcurrant jam, depending on your preference.
Once the jam tarts are baked and cooled, that’s when the fun really begins, decorating them into cute little ladybirds. This step is perfect for getting kids involved and turning baking into a fun, creative activity.
These ladybird jam tarts are perfect for lunchbox snacks, Valentine’s Day baking, Mother’s Day treats, gifting, or simply if you love a nostalgic bake with a fun twist. They’re guaranteed to bring smiles to both kids and adults alike.
Ingredients
- Plain flour– The base of this homemade shortcrust pastry, giving the jam tarts structure and a crisp, buttery bite once baked.
- Unsalted butter– Adds rich flavour and creates that classic crumbly shortcrust pastry texture that melts in your mouth.
- Caster sugar– Lightly sweetens the pastry, perfectly balancing the fruity jam filling without overpowering it.
- Egg yolk– Helps bind the dough together while keeping the pastry tender and easy to work with.
- Raspberry jam– The star of these jam tarts, providing a sweet, sticky centre with a burst of fruity raspberry flavour (strawberry jam works too).
- Milk chocolate– Melted and coloured black to create the ladybird decoration details, such as the head and spots.
- Candy eyes or icing eyes– Used to decorate the ladybird jam tarts, giving them their cute and playful character.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Cute and fun– The ladybird design makes these jam tarts perfect for both kids and adults alike.
- Easy to make– Simple ingredients and straightforward steps make this a beginner-friendly baking recipe.
- Quick bake– These jam tarts can be made and eaten within an hour.
- Perfect for kids– Decorating the ladybirds is a fun activity for weekends and school holidays.
- Versatile filling– Use raspberry or strawberry jam for the ladybird design, or switch to lemon curd or blackcurrant jam for classic jam tarts.
- Great for gifting and celebrations– Ideal for Valentine’s Day baking, Mother’s Day treats, lunchbox snacks, or homemade gifts.
Tips & Tricks
- Chill the pastry if needed– If your pastry feels soft, chill it for 15–20 minutes before rolling to make it easier to handle.
- Don’t overfill the jam– Use just enough jam to fill the tart cases. Too much jam can bubble over during baking.
- Use red jam for the ladybird look– Raspberry or strawberry jam works best for creating the classic red ladybird body.
- Let the tarts cool before decorating– Make sure the jam tarts are completely cool before adding chocolate details, or the chocolate may melt and slide.
- Get the kids involved– Decorating the ladybirds is the most fun part and perfect for little helpers.
- Make them classic instead– Skip the decorations and enjoy them as traditional jam tarts, or fill with lemon curd or blackcurrant jam instead.
How to Make Ladybird Jam Tarts
These ladybird jam tarts are surprisingly simple to make and perfect for beginner bakers. Below is an easy step-by-step overview of the process.
Make the Shortcrust Pastry
Start by making the homemade shortcrust pastry. Rub the butter into the plain flour until it resembles fine breadcrumbs, then mix in the caster sugar. Add the egg yolk and bring the dough together until it forms a smooth pastry. Wrap and chill briefly if needed.
(You can also use ready-made shortcrust pastry to save time.)
Roll and Shape
Roll the pastry out on a lightly floured surface and cut out small rounds. Press them gently into a mini tart or cupcake tin, making sure the pastry is snug against the sides.
Fill with Jam
Spoon a small amount of raspberry or strawberry jam into each pastry case. Be careful not to overfill, as the jam will spread slightly while baking.
Bake
Bake the jam tarts until the pastry is lightly golden and the jam is just set. Remove from the oven and allow them to cool completely in the tin before decorating.
Decorate the Ladybirds
Once cooled, melt the milk chocolate and colour it black. Use it to create the ladybird heads and spots, then add candy or icing eyes to bring them to life. This is the fun part and perfect for getting kids involved.
Serve and Enjoy
Once decorated, your ladybird jam tarts are ready to enjoy. Serve as a snack, pack into lunchboxes, or gift them for Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, or if you fancy baking a cute animal bake!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make ladybird jam tarts with ready-made pastry?
Yes! You can use ready-made shortcrust pastry to save time. Homemade pastry gives a richer, buttery flavour, but both work well for these jam tarts.
What jam is best for ladybird jam tarts?
Raspberry or strawberry jam works best because the red colour creates the classic ladybird look. Any smooth red jam will work for decorating.
Can I make these jam tarts ahead of time?
Yes, you can bake the jam tarts 1 day in advance. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature and decorate with chocolate just before serving for the best appearance.
How should I store jam tarts?
Store jam tarts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If decorated with chocolate, keep them in a cool place away from heat.
Can I freeze jam tarts?
You can freeze the baked, undecorated jam tarts for up to 2 months. Defrost at room temperature, then decorate with chocolate and candy eyes before serving.
Are ladybird jam tarts suitable for kids to make?
Absolutely! This recipe is great for kids, especially the decorating stage. Adult supervision is recommended when baking and melting chocolate.
Can I make classic jam tarts instead?
Yes! Skip the ladybird decorations and enjoy them as classic jam tarts, or fill them with lemon curd or blackcurrant jam instead.
What chocolate should I use for decorating?
Milk chocolate coloured black works well, but you can also use dark chocolate or black icing for the ladybird details.
Recommended Equipment
- Stand Mixer (Use code BITEOFBAKES for 20% off).
- Jam Tart Tin
- Raspberry Jam
- Black Food Colouring
- Scales
- Mixing Bowl Mine is pink of course!
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If you love classic British baking with a fun twist, these ladybird jam tarts are a must-try. With their buttery shortcrust pastry, sweet jam filling, and adorable decoration, they’re proof that simple bakes can still be extra special.
Whether you’re baking with kids, making a last-minute snack, or creating something cute for a special occasion, this recipe ticks all the boxes. Give them a try and let me know how yours turn out!
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Ladybird Jam Tarts
Ingredients
- 175g Plain Flour
- 85g Cold Unsalted Butter (Cubed).
- 1 Tbsp Caster Sugar
- 1 Medium Egg Yolk
- 2 Tbsp Cold Water
- 12 Tbsp Raspberry Jam
- 50g Milk Chocolate (With a few drops of black food colouring).
- 24 Edible Eyes
Instructions
- Put the flour, sugar and butter in a large bowl and rub together until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.
- Beat the egg yolk with 2 tbsp of cold water. Pour the mixture into the bowl. Stir it through with a cutlery knife, then bring the dough together with your hands, be careful not to overwork the dough. Wrap in clingfilm and chill in the fridge for 25 minutes.
- Heat the oven to gas 6, 200˚C, fan 180˚C. Lightly dust the work surface with flour and roll your pastry out until it is roughly the thickness of a pound coin. Use a fluted or straight 8cm pastry cutter to stamp out 12 pastry discs.
- Place the discs in a 12-hole jam tart tin or fairy cake tin. Spoon 1 tsp of your chosen jam into each tart.
- Bake for 15 mins until the pastry is golden and the jam bubbling. Allow to cool for a few mins before carefully transferring them to a cooling rack to cool completely.
- Melt your milk chocolate in a microwaveable bowl and stir in some black food colouring and transfer into a piping bag.
- Decorate your jam tarts as lady birds (as shown above) and allow the chocolate to set. Enjoy!