Tortas de Guimarães - Portuguese Delight

Ingredients

• 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs 3 large eggs
• 1 cup (240ml) whole milk 1 cup (240ml) whole milk
• 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Pinch of salt Pinch of salt

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 220 kcal / 920 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 11g, 6g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 26g, 12g
• Protein: 4g
• Fiber: 1g
• Salt: 0.1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, cold butter, and granulated sugar. Use your fingertips to rub the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.
2. 2.
   Add 1 egg to the mixture and knead until the dough comes together. Shape the dough into a ball, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
3. 3.
   Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F).
4. 4.
   Roll out the chilled dough on a lightly floured surface until it is about 1/8 inch thick. Cut out circles slightly larger than the size of your tart molds.
5. 5.
   Gently press the dough circles into the tart molds, ensuring they cover the bottom and sides evenly. Trim any excess dough.
6. 6.
   In a saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat until it starts to simmer. In a separate bowl, whisk together the remaining 2 eggs, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and salt.
7. 7.
   Slowly pour the hot milk into the egg mixture while whisking continuously.
8. 8.
   Place the tart molds on a baking sheet and carefully pour the custard mixture into each mold, filling them about 3/4 full.
9. 9.
   Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the tarts are golden brown and the custard is set.
10. 10.
    Remove from the oven and allow the tarts to cool in the molds for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
11. 11.
    Sprinkle the cooled tarts with a dusting of cinnamon before serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Butter — Make sure the butter is cold and cubed to achieve a flaky pastry texture.
• Eggs — Whisk the eggs well to ensure a smooth custard filling.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra touch of flavor, sprinkle the custard tarts with powdered sugar before serving.
• Serve the tarts warm or at room temperature for the best texture and taste.
• If you prefer a stronger cinnamon flavor, you can increase the amount of ground cinnamon in the custard filling.
• To achieve a crispy crust, make sure the pastry is rolled out thinly and evenly.
• These tarts are best enjoyed on the day they are made, but they can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

Serving advice

Serve Tortas de Guimarães as a delightful dessert after a Portuguese-inspired meal. They can be enjoyed on their own or paired with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent treat.

Presentation advice

Arrange the Tortas de Guimarães on a serving platter, dust them with a sprinkle of cinnamon, and garnish with a fresh mint leaf for an elegant presentation.