Apricot Linzer torte

This twist on the Austrian tart makes for an impressive centrepiece.

“This is my take on a classic, lattice-topped tart that can be found in every bakery throughout Austria: delicious crumbly pastry with a sweet, jam-filled middle,” says chef and Saturday Kitchen host Matt Tebbutt. “I prefer to use apricot jam rather than the traditional redcurrant, because it is a touch sweeter.”

Ingredients: (serves 10-12)

175g (6oz) plain (all-purpose) flour, plus extra for dusting Pinch of ground cinnamon Pinch of ground cloves

40g (1½oz) caster sugar

115g (4oz) unsalted butter, softened

2 medium free-range egg yolks, beaten

380g (13½oz) apricot jam 6tbsp raspberry jam

Zest and juice of ½ lemon

8–12 whole blanched almonds

To serve:

2tbsp icing (confectioners’) sugar (optional)

Custard or single (light) cream

Method:

1. To make the pastry, put the flour, spices and sugar in a mixing bowl. Rub in the butter using your fingertips until the mixture has the consistency of breadcrumbs. Add the egg yolks, mixing well with a wooden spoon to just bring the pastry dough together. Alternatively you can put the flour, spices and sugar in a food processor, then add the egg yolks and pulse to bring the pastry dough together. Wrap the dough in cling film (plastic wrap) and chill for at least one hour in the fridge. 2. Preheat the oven to 180°C/160°C fan/350°F/gas mark 4.

3. Cut off one third of the chilled pastry and set aside to make the lattice top.

4. Lightly dust the work surface with flour and roll out the larger piece of pastry to a three millimetre thickness and use it to line a 23–25 centimetre tart tin.

5. Make the lattice for the top by rolling out the reserved pastry on a floured surface to a three millimetre thickness. Cut it into 12 strips of 25 centimetres long and about one centimetre wide.

6. Use the apricot jam to fill the pastry case and lay the pastry strips over the top one by one to form a neat lattice pattern. Trim the edges.

7. Put the raspberry jam in a bowl with the lemon zest and juice, mix well, then transfer to a piping bag fitted with a plain nozzle.

8. Pipe the jam into alternate squares of the lattice top. On each square of the lattice now filled with jam, place a blanched almond for decoration. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the pastry is crisp and golden brown. Leave to cool in the tin.

9. If you want to add a pretty touch for serving, dust the torte with icing sugar. Serve sliced with homemade custard or single cream.