Next stop was Derbyshire and a chance to sample another regional specialty – the Bakewell pudding.
I never used to be a fan of these – probably because my experience of a Bakewell tart had been a Mr Kipling’s from the supermarket: very ordinary mass-produced pastry case spread with jam, a layer of marzipan tasting paste, and finished with grey-ish fondant icing and a shiny cherry. Not a fan.
Then I made one as part of my Nigella challenge – and wrote about it here – and I was converted.
I had, however, always thought that there was no difference between a Bakewell tart and a Bakewell pudding. I assumed that it was a terminology thing only. There is, as it turns out, a very big difference indeed.
The original Bakewell pudding was, as many of these things are, the result of a mishap. A visiting nobleman had ordered a strawberry tart, but instead of stirring the egg mixture into the pastry, the cook at The White Horse Inn in Bakewell spread it on top of a layer of jam.
Mrs Wilson, the wife of the town’s tallow chandler (if you don’t know what a tallow chandler is, it’s someone who makes and sells tallow candles – tallow being rendered fat) recognised the possibility of producing the puddings to sell (I am, at this point resisting the temptation to make a comment about the smell of the tallow candles) and acquired the original recipe in order to commence a business of her own. This was back in 1860 and the rest is history. They’ve been made by hand to that special (and secret) recipe ever since.
But back to the difference between the pudding and the tart.
The pudding is made on puff pastry topped with a layer of seedless strawberry jam and finished with a soft set custard of eggs, sugar and almonds.
The tart, on the other hand, has a base of sweet shortcrust pastry, which is then layered with seedless strawberry jam and finished with a frangipane sponge filling of eggs, almonds and sugar. It can either be topped with flaked almonds or iced with a fondant that tastes absolutely nothing like Mr Kipling’s version.
We ordered one of each – and a treacle tart – just to see which one we preferred. As we ate it in the store’s restaurant, Christmas carols were playing and the snow was coming down outside. It was all rather perfect.
As for my preference? I truly didn’t have one. I am, however, of a mind to try making each at home…so watch this space.
Okay, it’s Thursday, so time to share a little love. Click on the link below to add your own post or to check out what everyone else is loving about life at the moment.
And Anyways... 
Great story about the Bakewell Pudding — I love when good things come about accidentally!
Me too! Apparently there’s a similar story about the tarte tatin.
You have really brought Nigella onto my radar this past year. The photos in this post and all of your posts, Joanne, have turned me into “the hungry reader.” Not too many extra calories from the reading……..so far. I have learned more about tarts in this post than throughout my life.🙂 I am feeling pretty thankful about life at the moment in general. I will attempt to stay in the present moment. Is there any other?
Yep, this is a calorie free space…and you can count on me for some “book of useless knowledge” trivia…
OMG you have me salivating now! I hadn’t heard of either but I wont both now. I am a lover of puff pastry and love all things pastry. These look divine! YUM! 🙂 #TeamLovinLife
OMG you have me salivating now Jo! I have absolutely no willpower when it comes to pastry’s involving puff pastry in particular. I had heard of neither of these but now I want them both! Love the story about the pudding. You always provide some learning within your posts and I love to learn so thank you for that! 🙂 #TeamLovinLife
As you know, I don’t have a sweet tooth, but I do like pastry…and these ones were yummy.
Jo, Great story about the Bakewell pudding and your photos make me want both. #lovin’lifelinky
They were both yummy…as was the treacle tart.
I’ve never heard of anything other than a Bakewell meat pie Jo (and I’m not sure they’re even related to these tarts and pies!), but looking at your pics and descriptions, I’d go for the pudding – it looks soft and delicious!
I’ve never heard of a Bakewell meat pie, so there you go!
I just love the image of you eating these delightful sweet treats while the snow was falling and Christmas Carols were being sung outside! Lovely words and images #TeamLovinLife
Aaah thanks…
Years ago I had a bakewell slice with apricot jam at a conference- absolutely delicious- but I”ve never seen it again and would pay for the recipe! I’m guessing chef decided to make a slice instead of individual tarts and substitute jams- though I can’t remember the texture of the filling. When you put up your recipe Jo, I’ll give it a go!
They do look yummy, Jo! And thanks for the history lesson. It was very interesting.
Oooo! Both the tart and pudding both sound delicious! It’s fun how accidents become a part of history 🙂
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Oh my goodness. Divine! As I sit here typing while not having eaten in our 24 hours (colonoscopy prep … TMI?) I am DROOLING