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Gizzada

A traditional Jamaican dish — Gizzada, also called ‘pinch-me-round,’ is a tiny tart with a crimped pastry edge and a glossy, sweet coconut filling perfumed with ginger and nutmeg.

⏱ 40 minPrep time
🔥 30 minCook time
🍽 12Servings
🏷 DessertCategory
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Gizzada - Jamaïcain recipe

A traditional Jamaican dish — Gizzada, also called ‘pinch-me-round,’ is a tiny tart with a crimped pastry edge and a glossy, sweet coconut filling perfumed with ginger and nutmeg. The pinched rim gives the tart its nickname and its charm. These little sweets are a beloved Jamaican bakery classic, especially at Christmas.

Step by stepInstructions

  1. Make the pastry: pulse the flour, sugar and salt with the cold butter until crumbly, then add ice water a spoonful at a time until a dough forms; wrap and chill for 30 minutes.
  2. Make the filling: combine the coconut, brown sugar, water, ginger, nutmeg, allspice and vanilla in a saucepan.
  3. Cook over medium heat, stirring, for 8 to 10 minutes, until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is thick and glossy; cool completely.
  4. Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll the pastry thinly, cut into rounds and press them into small tart tins.
  5. Pinch and flute the edges of the pastry so it stands up around the filling — the signature gizzada rim.
  6. Fill each shell with the coconut mixture and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the edges are golden.
  7. Cool in the tins for 10 minutes, then lift out and cool completely on a rack.

💡 Chef tips & storage

Grate the coconut fresh if you can — it makes a far better filling than packaged shreds. If the filling browns too fast in the oven, the heat is too high; it should stay glossy, not caramelize.

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Recipe details

Prep40 min
Cook30 min
Servings12
CategoryDessert
PublishedAugust 17, 2026
Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes

Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

Hi, I'm Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes. Simple, tested comfort food for real weeknights, written down the way grandma would. Pull up a chair. More about me →