Richmond Maids of Honour

Delight in the timeless elegance of Richmond Maids of Honour, a classic British pastry steeped in history and brimming with flavor. These delicate tartlets feature a flaky, buttery crust filled with a luscious blend of curd cheese, zesty lemon, and a hint of almond extract, creating a balance of creamy and tangy perfection. Optional currants add a delightful burst of sweetness, while the lightly golden pastry encases this velvety filling like a treasure. Perfect for afternoon tea or a sophisticated dessert, these iconic treats are simple to make yet irresistibly indulgent. Serve them warm or at room temperature, dusted with icing sugar for an extra touch of charm, and savor a bite of old-world tradition.

Nutriscore Rating: 54/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 12

Ingredients

• 200 grams All-purpose flour
• 100 grams Unsalted butter (cold, cubed)
• 25 grams Icing sugar
• 1 Egg yolk
• 2 tablespoons Cold water
• 200 grams Curd cheese
• 75 grams Caster sugar
• 1 Egg
• 1 teaspoon Lemon zest (finely grated)
• 0.5 teaspoons Almond extract (optional)
• 50 grams Currants (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F) or 180°C (350°F) fan-assisted.

Step 2

To make the pastry, combine the all-purpose flour and icing sugar in a mixing bowl. Add the cubed cold butter and rub it in with your fingertips until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.

Step 3

Add the egg yolk and cold water to the mixture. Gently bring the dough together without overworking it. Wrap the pastry in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 20 minutes.

Step 4

While the pastry chills, prepare the filling. In a medium bowl, mix the curd cheese, caster sugar, egg, lemon zest, and almond extract (if using) until smooth and creamy. Fold in the currants if desired.

Step 5

On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled pastry to about 3mm thickness. Cut out circles using an 8cm (3-inch) round cutter to line the cups of a 12-hole tart or muffin tin.

Step 6

Spoon the curd cheese mixture evenly into the prepared pastry cases, filling each about two-thirds full.

Step 7

Bake in the preheated oven for around 18-20 minutes, or until the pastry is golden and the filling is set with a slight wobble.

Step 8

Remove the tartlets from the oven and allow them to cool in the tin for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 9

Serve the Richmond Maids of Honour warm or at room temperature, dusted with a little icing sugar if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	750.7 grams (750.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2208

Total Fat 103.30g	132%
Saturated Fat 60.50g	303%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.70g
Cholesterol 633mg	211%
Sodium 854mg	37%
Total Carbohydrate 268.20g	98%
Dietary Fiber 7.80g	28%
Total Sugars 111.80g
Protein 53.00g	106%

Vitamin D 66IU	331%
Calcium 279mg	21%
Iron 11mg	63%
Potassium 684mg	15%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 42.0%

Protein: 9.6%

Carbs: 48.4%