Best 2 Portuguese Custard Tarts Pasteis De Nata Recipes

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In the realm of delectable pastries, Portuguese custard tarts, also known as Pastéis de Nata, stand as a testament to Portugal's rich culinary heritage. These iconic tarts, with their flaky, buttery crust and luscious, creamy custard filling, have captivated taste buds worldwide. Our comprehensive guide delves into the art of crafting these delightful treats, providing two exceptional recipes that cater to both traditionalists and those seeking a simplified approach.

For the traditionalists, we present an authentic recipe that meticulously follows the time-honored methods and ingredients. This recipe embodies the essence of Pastéis de Nata, yielding a crust that shatters at the first bite and a custard filling that strikes the perfect balance between richness and sweetness.

For those seeking a more accessible route, we offer a simplified recipe that streamlines the process without compromising on flavor. This recipe utilizes store-bought puff pastry sheets, making it a convenient option for home bakers. The result is still a delightful treat that captures the spirit of Pastéis de Nata, with its crispy crust and velvety custard filling.

Both recipes are accompanied by step-by-step instructions, ensuring success even for novice bakers. We provide detailed guidance on preparing the pastry dough, rolling and shaping the tarts, and crafting the perfect custard filling. Additional tips and tricks are also included to elevate your tarts to perfection.

Whether you're a seasoned baker or a culinary enthusiast seeking a new adventure, our Portuguese custard tarts recipes will guide you towards creating these irresistible pastries that are sure to become a cherished addition to your dessert repertoire. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and embark on a delectable journey into the world of Pastéis de Nata.

Let's cook with our recipes!

PORTUGUESE CUSTARD TARTS (PASTEIS DE NATA)



Portuguese Custard Tarts (Pasteis de Nata) image

This slightly streamlined recipe for the world-famous pasteis de nata, or Portuguese custard tarts, uses just few basic ingredients but requires numerous steps and a certain amount of finesse. The results are so worth it, though, you'll want to make a double batch. The extra moisture inside the sticky dough, activated by a very hot oven, creates the signature flaky, buttery, crispy crust, which encases a custard subtly scented with lemon, cinnamon, and vanilla.

Provided by Chef John

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     Portuguese

Time 4h

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 cup all-purpose flour
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
⅓ cup cold water
1 stick high-quality unsalted butter, fully softened, divided
¾ cup white sugar
¼ cup water
1 tablespoon water
1 cinnamon stick
1 lemon, zested in large strips
⅓ cup all-purpose flour
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
1 ½ cups milk
6 large egg yolks
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Steps:

  • Combine flour, salt, and cold water in a bowl. Mix with a wooden spoon until dough just comes together and pulls away from the sides of the bowl. Dough should be sticky; adjust with more flour or water to achieve what's shown in the video.
  • Transfer dough onto a well floured surface. Dust a little more flour over the top. Knead for a minute or two to form a round. Cover and let rest for 15 to 20 minutes.
  • Roll dough into a square about 1/8 inch thick, dusting with flour as necessary; dough should still be sticky.
  • Spread 1/3 of the butter over 2/3 of the square using a silicone spatula, leaving a 1/2 inch border. Flip the unbuttered side over the middle of the square and fold the opposite end over it like a letter. Straighten the edges as needed.
  • Turn dough with a bench scraper to unstick it from the counter; dust with flour. Flip and sprinkle more flour on top. Roll dough into a 1/8-inch-thick rectangle, carefully stretching edges as needed. Spread another 1/3 of the butter over 2/3 of the dough. Fold into thirds. Transfer onto a lined baking sheet and freeze until butter is slightly chilled, about 10 minutes.
  • Sprinkle dough with flour and roll into a square a little over 1/8 inch thick. Spread remaining butter over the dough, leaving a 1- to 1 1/2-inch border on the top edge. Dip your finger in water and lightly moisten the unbuttered edge. Roll dough into a log starting from the bottom edge. Dust with more flour and polish the ends as needed. Seal with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 2 hours, preferably overnight.
  • Combine sugar, 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon water, cinnamon, and lemon zest in a pot. Boil over medium heat, without stirring, until syrup reaches 210 to 215 degrees F (100 degrees C). Remove from heat.
  • Preheat oven 550 degrees F (288 degrees C). Grease a 12-cup muffin tin.
  • Whisk flour, salt, and cold milk together very thoroughly in a cold pot. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until milk thickens, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool for at least 10 minutes.
  • Whisk egg yolks into the cooled milk. Add the sugar syrup and vanilla extract. Mix until combined. Strain custard into a glass measuring cup.
  • Unwrap the dough and trim any uneven bits on the ends. Score log into 12 even pieces using a knife; cut through.
  • Place a piece of dough in each muffin cup. Dip your thumb lightly in some cold water. Press thumb into the center of the swirl; push dough against the bottom and up the sides of the cup until it reaches least 1/8 inch past the top. Fill each cup 3/4 of the way with custard.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until the pastry is browned and bubbly, and the tops start to blister and caramelize, about 12 minutes. Cool tarts briefly and serve warm.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 210.2 calories, Carbohydrate 25.2 g, Cholesterol 125.2 mg, Fat 10.6 g, Fiber 0.6 g, Protein 3.9 g, SaturatedFat 6.1 g, Sodium 98.3 mg, Sugar 14.1 g

PORTUGUESE CUSTARD TARTS - PASTEIS DE NATA



Portuguese Custard Tarts - Pasteis de Nata image

These are delicious Portuguese Custard Tarts.

Provided by John J. Pacheco

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     Portuguese

Time 40m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 cup milk
3 tablespoons cornstarch
½ vanilla bean
1 cup white sugar
6 egg yolks
1 (17.5 ounce) package frozen puff pastry, thawed

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C.) Lightly grease 12 muffin cups and line bottom and sides with puff pastry.
  • In a saucepan, combine milk, cornstarch, sugar and vanilla. Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens. Place egg yolks in a medium bowl. Slowly whisk 1/2 cup of hot milk mixture into egg yolks. Gradually add egg yolk mixture back to remaining milk mixture, whisking constantly. Cook, stirring constantly, for 5 minutes, or until thickened. Remove vanilla bean.
  • Fill pastry-lined muffin cups with mixture and bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until crust is golden brown and filling is lightly browned on top

Nutrition Facts : Calories 335.9 calories, Carbohydrate 38.7 g, Cholesterol 104 mg, Fat 18.2 g, Fiber 0.6 g, Protein 5 g, SaturatedFat 5 g, Sodium 114.2 mg, Sugar 18.5 g

Tips:

  • Use high-quality ingredients for the best results. This means using fresh eggs, butter, and milk, as well as high-quality puff pastry.
  • Make sure the puff pastry is cold before using it. This will help it to rise properly in the oven.
  • Be careful not to overfill the tart shells. The custard should come up to the top of the shells, but it should not be overflowing.
  • Bake the tarts until the custard is set and the tops are golden brown. This usually takes about 25-30 minutes.
  • Let the tarts cool slightly before serving. This will help the custard to set and prevent it from running out of the tarts.

Conclusion:

Portuguese custard tarts are a delicious and easy-to-make treat that are perfect for any occasion. With a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time, you can create these delightful pastries that are sure to impress your friends and family. So next time you're looking for a sweet treat, give Portuguese custard tarts a try!

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