Authentic Portuguese Custard Tarts

Ingredients

• 2 cups (470ml) whole milk 2 cups (470ml) whole milk
• 1 cinnamon stick 1 cinnamon stick
• 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup (30g) all-purpose flour 1/4 cup (30g) all-purpose flour
• 4 large egg yolks 4 large egg yolks
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 sheet of puff pastry, thawed 1 sheet of puff pastry, thawed
• Powdered sugar, for dusting Powdered sugar, for dusting

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 220 kcal / 920 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 12g, 6g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 24g, 12g
• Protein: 4g
• Fiber: 1g
• Salt: 0.1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 220°C (425°F).
2. 2.
   In a saucepan, combine the milk and cinnamon stick. Heat over medium heat until it reaches a gentle simmer. Remove from heat and let the cinnamon infuse for 10 minutes. Remove the cinnamon stick.
3. 3.
   In a mixing bowl, whisk together the sugar and flour. Add the egg yolks and whisk until smooth.
4. 4.
   Slowly pour the warm milk into the egg mixture, whisking constantly to prevent curdling. Stir in the vanilla extract.
5. 5.
   Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens and coats the back of a spoon. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
6. 6.
   Roll out the puff pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface. Cut out circles slightly larger than the size of your tart molds.
7. 7.
   Grease the tart molds and gently press the pastry circles into each mold, ensuring the pastry covers the bottom and sides.
8. 8.
   Fill each pastry shell with the custard filling, leaving a small gap at the top.
9. 9.
   Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until the pastry is golden brown and the custard is set.
10. 10.
    Remove from the oven and let the tarts cool in the molds for a few minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
11. 11.
    Dust the tarts with powdered sugar before serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Puff pastry — Ensure that the puff pastry is properly thawed before using. If it becomes too soft, refrigerate it for a few minutes to firm it up.
• Cinnamon stick — Use a high-quality cinnamon stick to infuse the milk with a warm and aromatic flavor.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra touch of flavor, sprinkle a pinch of ground cinnamon on top of the powdered sugar before serving.
• Serve the custard tarts warm or at room temperature for the best taste and texture.
• If you prefer a more caramelized top, you can use a kitchen torch to lightly brown the sugar dusting.

Serving advice

Serve these Authentic Portuguese Custard Tarts as a delightful dessert or enjoy them with a cup of coffee or tea for a delightful afternoon treat.

Presentation advice

Arrange the custard tarts on a serving platter and dust them generously with powdered sugar. The golden brown pastry and the white sugar dusting create an appealing contrast.