Abstract: A method of manufacturing tart shells uses a manually operated hinged die and press arrangement in which the die is shaped with a female receptacle for receiving a foil tart case and the press has a male portion for compressing dough into the tart case and squeezing the dough to form a continuous constant thickness layer across the inside of the tart case. To prevent adhesion of the male portion in the dough, a sheet of plastic film is placed over the tart shell and the dough ball when inserted into the case. The plastic film prevents adhesion of the dough to the male portion and the plastic film can be readily removed after the compression is complete.