Coronation Grape Meringue Tarts feature the best of the season!
I am the Produce Manager at the local Co-op. And with position I find that I am doing much more experimenting with fruits.
New Arrival
I had to pick up a box of the Coronation Grapes when they came in. They were absolutely stunning, and I was excited to try them.
Being an avid jam and jelly maker, I knew that was the direction I was going to go with them. I just couldn’t stop there. Tarts seemed like the perfect vehicle for the grape jelly. A nice topping of meringue would make it the perfect bite.
Prepping The Grapes
Making grape jelly is quick and easy. The most time-consuming part is removing the grapes from the stems.
Remove all stems and wash the grapes. Place them in a medium sized pot and add 3 tablespoons of lemon juice and place over medium low heat.
Coronation Grape Meringue Tarts
- For the filling:
- 1½ pounds of Coronation Grapes
- 3 tablespoons of lemon juice
- 1 cup of sugar
- Tart shells:
- 3 ounces of cream cheese - softened
- ½ cup of butter - softened
- 1 cup of flour
- Meringue:
- 3 egg whites at room temperature
- ¾ cup of sugar
- For the Filling:
- Bring the grapes and lemon juice to a simmer over medium heat for 12 minutes or until all the grapes are popped.
- Strain the grapes in a fine mesh strainer until all the juice stops dripping.
- Place the juice and sugar back into the pot and place over medium heat.
- Bring to a low boil stirring occasionally until a temperature of 220 degrees is reached.
- Remove from heat and allow to cool fully.
- The jelly will set once cooled.
- While the jelly is cooling make the tart shells.
- Tart shells:
- Cream the cheese and butter with a mixer.
- Add the flour and beat until a dough is formed.
- Place in the fridge to chill for about 20 minutes.
- Roll into 24 balls.
- Spray a mini tart pan with non stick spray.
- Press the dough ball into each cavity and form the shells.
- Bake in a 325 F degree oven for 20 - 25 minutes until lightly browned.
- While the tart shells are baking make the meringue.
- To make the meringue:
- Whip the egg whites until foamy with a mixer.
- Once foamy slowly add the sugar whipping well.
- This should take about 8 minutes.
- Once the tart shells are done spoon a generous teaspoon of jelly into each shell.
- Using a pastry bag or a teaspoon place a dollop of meringue on to each tart.
- Broil for a few minutes until nicely browned.
Bring the grapes and lemon juice to a simmer over medium heat for 12 minutes until all the grapes are popped.
Strain the grapes in a fine mesh strainer until all the juice stops dripping. I did press the grapes to get every drop of juice I could.
Place the juice and sugar back into the pot and place over medium heat.
Bring to a low boil stirring occasionally until a temperature to 220F. Remove from heat and allow to cool fully. The jelly will set once cooled.
Simple Tart Shells
While the jelly is cooling make the tart shells.
Cream the cheese and butter with a mixer. Add the flour, beat until a dough is formed.
Place in the fridge to chill for about 20 minutes.
Roll into 24 balls.
Spray a mini tart pan with non-stick spray. Press the dough ball into each cavity and form the shells.
Bake in a 325F oven for 20 – 25 minutes until lightly browned.
While the tart shells are baking make the meringue.
Whip the egg whites until foamy with a mixer. Once foamy slowly add the sugar whipping well. This should take about 8 minutes.
When the tart shells are done spoon a generous teaspoon of jelly into each shell. Using a pastry bag or a teaspoon place a dollop of meringue on to each tart.
Broil for a few minutes until nicely browned.
Looking for a Grape Jelly recipe? We have an incredible recipe that features spectacular Valiant Grapes.
I was just thinking the other day how I haven’t baked with grapes yet and here you are! And I love meringue too. Can I use normal grapes though? (I ask because I don’t know what coronation grapes are and I initially thought there was the violet kind and the green kind lol). These look delicious!
Hi Jolina!
Coronation and concord grapes are a deep purple and they have a fairly short season. (late summer to early fall) They are the grapes that are used to make Welch’s Grape juice. I think you could substitute them with black or red grapes though the flavour will be a bit different though just as delicious.
I have grape producing vines in my backyard and am always looking for different ideas to use them. These looks great!
Tarts, meringue and grapes… YES PLEASE!!! These look delightful. Wishing I had one with my cup of tea right now!