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Pastéis de Nata

Delightful Portuguese Custard Tarts featuring a flaky pastry with a creamy custard filling, perfect for any occasion.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 12 tarts
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: Portuguese
Calories: 200

Ingredients
  

Custard Mixture
  • 1 ⅓ cups granulated sugar
  • ½ cup water
  • 1 large cinnamon stick
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • ½ cup double cream
  • 5 large egg yolks
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ cup cornstarch/cornflour
Pastry
  • 1 pack frozen puff pastry Ensure the pastry is cold before rolling out.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 500°F (250°C) to ensure a nice crisp finish.
  2. In a saucepan, combine the sugar, water, and cinnamon stick. Bring to a boil, stirring until sugar dissolves. Reduce heat and let it simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and allow it to cool.
  3. In another bowl, whisk together the whole milk, double cream, egg yolks, egg, vanilla extract, and cornstarch until smooth.
  4. Gradually add the cooled sugar syrup from the first step, combining everything well.
Assembling and Baking
  1. Roll out the puff pastry and cut it into circles that fit your tart molds.
  2. Place the pastry circles into the molds and fill them with the custard mixture, making sure not to overfill.
  3. Bake for about 15-20 minutes or until the tops are golden brown and caramelized.

Notes

Serve these delectable tarts warm, with a dusting of powdered sugar or a dash of cinnamon on top. Pair with a strong espresso for a traditional touch. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a couple of days.