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Matcha, Blackcurrant & Coconut Mini Tarts

I’m sharing these little tarts just in time for Easter: their fresh green hue makes them look like tiny spring nests, and the vibrant contrast of matcha, blackcurrant, and coconut is as delightful as it is eye-catching. They began as a spontaneous idea—matcha powder in hand, memories of childhood blackcurrant syrup, and a chance gift of coconut purée—reminding me that the best recipes often evolve in unexpected ways.
Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 20 minutes
Servings 10 mini cakes

Ingredients
  

Blackcurrant Fruit Insert

  • 100 g blackcurrant purée
  • 20 g granulated sugar
  • 1 sheet gelatin

Matcha Sponge Rings

  • 2 egg yolks
  • 20 g granulated sugar I
  • 30 g blanched finely ground almonds
  • 35 g all-purpose flour
  • 2 egg whites
  • 25 g granulated sugar II
  • 1 tsp matcha powder

Coconut Mousse

  • 96 g coconut purée or full-fat coconut milk
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 2 sheets gelatin
  • 98 g white couverture chocolate chopped
  • 10 g granulated sugar
  • 150 g heavy cream

Shortbread Rings Yann Brys Style

  • 100 g unsalted butter
  • 55 g granulated sugar
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 125 g all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp vanilla powder
  • Zest of ½ lemon and ½ orange

Moss-Green Mirror Glaze

  • 150 g glucose syrup
  • 150 g granulated sugar
  • 75 g water portion I
  • 10 g powdered gelatin
  • 60 g water portion II
  • 150 g white couverture chocolate chopped
  • 100 g sweetened condensed milk
  • Moss-green gel food coloring

Instructions
 

Blackcurrant Fruit Insert

  • Soak the gelatin sheet in cold water until soft.
  • In a small saucepan, heat the blackcurrant purée with sugar until just simmering.
  • Squeeze out the gelatin, stir into the hot purée until fully dissolved.
  • Pour into the small ring cavities of your mold; freeze solid.

Matcha Sponge Rings

  • Preheat the oven to 170 °C (thick ovens or fan).
  • Whisk together ground almonds, sugar (I), and yolks until thick and pale.
  • Dissolve matcha powder in a tablespoon of hot water; blend into the yolk mixture at low speed.
  • In a clean bowl, beat egg whites and sugar (II) to stiff peaks.
  • Fold a little meringue into the yolk mixture, then gently fold in the remaining meringue along with sifted flour.
  • Spread the batter thinly (about 5 mm) on a parchment-lined sheet or silicone mat.
  • Bake for 15 minutes; allow to cool completely.
  • Use the smaller side of your ring cutter to punch out matcha sponge rings that fit inside your tart molds.

Coconut Mousse

  • Warm the coconut purée in a saucepan.
  • In a bowl, whisk the yolks with sugar. Soak gelatin in cold water.
  • Pour hot coconut purée over the yolk mixture, return to the saucepan, and heat—stirring constantly—until the mixture reaches about 83 °C.
  • Remove from heat; stir in the drained gelatin until dissolved.
  • Pour the hot custard over the chopped white chocolate; let sit 1 minute, then stir until smooth.
  • Cool, stirring occasionally, to about 30 °C.
  • Whip the cream to soft peaks and fold gently into the custard.

Shortbread Rings

  • Cream butter and sugar together, then mix in the egg yolk, vanilla powder, and citrus zests.
  • Stir in the flour until a homogeneous dough forms.
  • Chill the dough for at least 1 hour.
  • Roll between parchment to about 3 mm thickness; cut rings with the larger side of your cutter.
  • Bake on a lined tray at 170 °C until golden (about 12–15 minutes). Cool completely.

Mirror Glaze

  • Bloom gelatin in the portion II water.
  • In a saucepan, combine glucose syrup, sugar, and portion I water; heat to 103 °C.
  • Off heat, stir in sweetened condensed milk and the bloomed gelatin.
  • Place chopped white chocolate in a tall bowl; pour the hot mixture over it. Add moss-green gel coloring.
  • Emulsify with an immersion blender—keep the blade submerged to avoid air.
  • Cover the glaze’s surface with cling film; refrigerate overnight.

Assembly

  • Remove the frozen blackcurrant inserts from the mold.
  • Pipe or spoon coconut mousse into the larger ring cavities up to midway.
  • Gently press one blackcurrant insert into each, then pipe more mousse to fill to the top.
  • Place a matcha sponge ring on each and freeze the tarts solid (preferably overnight).

Glazing & Finishing

  • On service day, warm the mirror glaze to about 35 °C.
  • Unmold the frozen tarts and place them on a wire rack set over a tray.
  • Pour the glaze evenly over each tart, then let excess drip off.
  • Wipe the bottom edge clean, transfer to shortbread rings, and allow to thaw briefly in the fridge.