Hertzoggies
Delicate shortcrust jam tarts filled with apricot jam and topped with a sweet, chewy coconut meringue, then baked until golden. A beloved South African treat.
🧂 Ingredients
- 400g Shortcrust pastry(Store-bought or homemade. Ensure it's chilled.)
- 250g Apricot jam(Good quality jam is recommended for best flavor. Warm it slightly for easier spreading.)
- 2 large Egg whites(Room temperature egg whites whip up better.)
- 100g Caster sugar(Fine granulated sugar works best for meringues.)
- 150g Desiccated coconut(Unsweetened is preferred to control sweetness.)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C fan/350°F). Lightly grease 24 mini muffin tins or a 24-cup mini tart tin.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 2
Roll out the chilled shortcrust pastry on a lightly floured surface to about 3mm thickness. Use a round cutter (slightly larger than your tart tin cups) to cut out 24 circles. Gently press each pastry circle into the prepared tart tins, lining the base and sides.
⏱️ 15 minutes - 3
Spoon approximately 1 teaspoon of apricot jam into each pastry case. Don't overfill, as the jam will bubble up slightly.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 4
Prepare the coconut meringue: In a clean, dry bowl, whisk the egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually add the caster sugar, a tablespoon at a time, whisking continuously until the meringue is thick, glossy, and holds stiff peaks. Gently fold in the desiccated coconut until just combined.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 5
Spoon or pipe a generous dollop of the coconut meringue mixture onto the jam in each tart. Ensure the jam is fully covered.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 6
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and the coconut meringue is lightly golden and crisp on top. Keep an eye on them to prevent burning.
⏱️ 20-25 minutes - 7
Remove the Hertzoggies from the oven and let them cool in the tins for about 5-10 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
⏱️ 10 minutes (cooling)
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓The name 'Hertzoggies' is said to be named after Advocate J.B.M. Hertzog, a former Prime Minister of South Africa.
- ✓Apricot jam is the traditional filling, but other fruit jams can be used for variation.
- ✓For a chewier coconut top, you can add a tablespoon of golden syrup to the meringue mixture.
- ✓Ensure your bowl and whisk are completely free of grease when making the meringue, otherwise, the egg whites won't whip properly.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Use strawberry or raspberry jam for a different fruity flavor.
- Add a pinch of cinnamon or cardamom to the coconut mixture for a spiced variation.
- For a richer topping, add a teaspoon of finely grated orange zest to the coconut meringue.