Description
Portuguese Custard Tarts, or Pastéis de Nata, are a delightful treat with a flaky, buttery crust that crumbles beautifully with each bite. The creamy custard filling is rich and velvety, with a hint of vanilla and a touch of caramelization on top, creating a perfect balance of textures and flavors that dance on your palate.
Ingredients
Scale
- For the Pastry:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup cold water
- For the Custard Filling:
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 6 large egg yolks
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a mixing bowl, combine flour, salt, and butter, and mix until crumbly. Gradually add cold water until a dough forms.
- Roll out the dough into a thin sheet and fold it several times to create layers. Chill for 30 minutes.
- In a saucepan, whisk together milk, cream, sugar, cornstarch, and cinnamon over medium heat until thickened, about 5-7 minutes.
- Remove from heat and whisk in egg yolks and vanilla until smooth.
- Roll out the chilled dough and cut into circles to fit a muffin tin. Press the dough into the tin.
- Pour the custard filling into each pastry shell, filling them about 3/4 full.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the tops are golden brown and slightly caramelized.
- Let cool for a few minutes before removing from the tin. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- Make-ahead: The pastry can be prepared a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator.
- Storage: Keep tarts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
- Substitutions: Use almond milk for a dairy-free option or replace granulated sugar with coconut sugar for a healthier alternative.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Portuguese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tart
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 15 grams
- Sodium: 150 milligrams
- Fat: 15 grams
- Saturated Fat: 9 grams
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 grams
- Trans Fat: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 25 grams
- Fiber: 1 gram
- Protein: 3 grams
- Cholesterol: 100 milligrams
Keywords: Portuguese Custard Tarts, Pastéis de Nata, dessert, baking, custard, pastry, traditional Portuguese dessert, sweet treats, flaky crust, creamy filling, easy recipe, homemade tarts, egg yolks, vanilla custard