A few days ago , we dropped by Assumption Iloilo, to fetch someone and along the journey, the talk somewhat centered on the Assumption Tart. I just kept on listening to get an idea of what it is. A lot of tart photos swam in my thought as they talked about these pastries . And it was a very big surprise when we reached our destination that our host served us Assumption Tarts. How easy it was it to have my dreams fulfilled that time!
So it wasn't really what I had in mind for a tart. Looks like baked pizza doughs arranged neatly in a container. A little Googling reveals that these are actually pie crusts served with guava jelly generously spread on top. But according to a reliable source, the Assumption tart was a cake that fell, you know, something went wrong in the preparation of the cake that resulted to a gastronomic catastrophe. Also, its a take off from short cake or masa podrida made with flour, lard, salt and sugar according to my source.
More Googling reveals this Philippine Star article that says "To this day, the "Assumption Tarts" are baked by the nuns, and though they are now packaged in fancy tin cans, supply is only as good as the nuns can meet the demand. There have been offers for the nuns to set up "Tarts" outlets in the malls, but the good nuns politely turned them down. "
I tried them plain and I liked them the way they are. They're crumbly and melts in the mouth with the floury taste lingering until you have another bite. And as first defined of it being perfectly partnered with guava jelly, our host brought a a bottle produced by the Trappist Monastery in Guimaras. Now this was really a perfect day of having wishes come true without even wishing for them. They just come out naturally and not to mention delicious.
So you'll have to get the assistance of Assumptionistas in order to avail of these Assumption tarts for you to have a taste and savour the goodness these nuns have been making (maybe from their mistakes) for years now. Bon apetit!