Indulge in the delectable flavors of Portuguese Custard Tarts, also known as Pastéis de Nata, with our curated collection of authentic recipes. These iconic pastries, originating from the heart of Lisbon, tantalize taste buds with their flaky puff pastry crusts enveloping a velvety custard filling, caramelized to perfection. Embark on a culinary journey to recreate these delightful treats in your own kitchen, with step-by-step instructions and expert tips to guide you through the process. From the traditional recipe using egg yolks and sugar to variations incorporating unique ingredients like coconut, chocolate, or even matcha, our diverse selection caters to every palate. Whether you're a seasoned baker or just starting your pastry adventure, prepare to impress your loved ones with these irresistible Portuguese Custard Tarts.
Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!
PORTUGUESE CUSTARD TART RECIPE
An authentic recipe for the most delicious Portuguese custard tarts.
Provided by Victor
Categories Dessert
Time 1h30m
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- To make the dough, place the flour, salt, and water in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a hook. Mix for about 30 seconds until soft and pillowy dough forms that cleans the side of the bowl.
- Place the dough on a generously floured work surface. Pat the dough into a 6-inch square using a pastry scraper. Sprinkle with flour, cover with plastic wrap, and let the dough rest for 15 minutes.
- Roll the dough into an 18-inch square. Use the scraper to lift the dough and add flour underneath to avoid the dough sticking.
- Brush excess flour off the top of the dough, trim any uneven edges, and using a small offset spatula dot and then spread the left two-thirds of the dough with a little less than one-third of the butter to within 1 inch of the edge.
- Neatly fold over the unbuttered right third of the dough (using the pastry scraper to loosen it if it sticks), brush off any excess flour, then fold over the left third. Starting from the top, pat down the packet with your hand to release air bubbles, then pinch the edges closed. Brush off any excess flour.
- Turn the dough packet 90 degrees to the left so the fold is facing you. Lift the packet and flour the work surface. Once again roll out to an 18-inch square, then dot and spread the left two-thirds of the dough with one-third of the butter, and fold the dough as in steps 4 and 5.
- For the last rolling, turn the packet 90 degrees to the left and roll out the dough to an 18-by-21-inch rectangle, with the shorter side facing you. Spread the remaining butter over the entire surface.
- Using the spatula as an aid, lift the edge closest to you and roll the dough away from you into a tight log, brushing the excess flour from the underside as you go. Trim the ends and cut the log in half. Wrap each piece in plastic wrap and chill for 2 hours or preferably overnight.
- Now make the custard. In a medium bowl, whisk the flour and 1/4 cup of the milk until smooth. Set aside.
- Bring the sugar, cinnamon, and water to a boil in a small saucepan and cook until an instant-read thermometer registers 220°F (100°C). Do not stir.
- Meanwhile, in another small saucepan, scald the remaining 1 cup milk. Whisk the hot milk into the flour mixture.
- Remove the cinnamon stick then pour the sugar syrup in a thin stream into the hot milk-and-flour mixture, whisking briskly. Add the vanilla and stir for a minute until very warm but not hot. Whisk in the yolks, strain the mixture into a bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and set aside.
- Assemble and bake the pastries
- Heat the oven to 550°F (290°C) with two baking stones inside for at least one hour. Remove the pastry from the refrigerator and roll it gently back and forth on lightly floured work surface until it's about an inch in diameter and 15 inches long. Cut it into scant 1.25-inch pieces. Place the dough pieces cut-side down into each of the the 12 cups of the 12-cup aluminum muffin pan (each cup measuring about 2.5" by 1.5"). Let the dough pieces often several minutes until they become soft and pliable.
- Dip your thumbs into the water, then press straight down into the middle of the dough piece. Flatten it against the bottom of the cup to a thickness of about 1/8 inch, then smooth the dough up the sides and create a raised lip about 1/8 inch above the pan. The pastry sides should be thinner than the bottom.
- Fill each cup 3/4 full with the slightly warm custard. Bake the tarts until the edges of the dough are frilled and brown, about 10-12 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and allow the tarts to cool a few minutes in the pan, then transfer to a rack and cool until just warm. Repeat the steps with the remaining dough and custard mix.
- Serve and enjoy. Optionally, sprinkle the tarts generously with powdered sugar, then cinnamon before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 350 kcal, Carbohydrate 41 g, Protein 4 g, Fat 18 g, SaturatedFat 11 g, Cholesterol 140 mg, Sodium 201 mg, Sugar 23 g, ServingSize 1 serving
PORTUGUESE CUSTARD TARTS (PASTEIS DE NATA)
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
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 RECIPE BY TASTY
Here's what you need: caster sugar, water, cinammon sticks, milk, double cream, egg yolks, egg, vanilla extract, corn flour, puff pastry
Provided by Ellie Holland
Categories Bakery Goods
Yield 12 servings
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 220°C (425°F).
- In a small pan, place the sugar, water, and cinnamon stick. Simmer for 3 minutes and set aside.
- Combine milk and cream in a saucepan and place over a medium heat. Bring mixture to a boil, then remove from the heat and set aside.
- To a large bowl, add the egg yolks, whole egg, vanilla extract, and corn flour. Whisk until fully combined and no lumps remain.
- Temper the egg mixture by introducing the hot milk and cream in two 100 milliliter batches, then whisk.
- Return mixture to the saucepan and place over a low-medium heat. Whisk continually until mixture thickens. Turn off heat.
- Remove cinnamon stick from the syrup and slowly trickle into the custard, whisking continually.
- Lightly flour a work surface and cut puff pastry into 12 equal pieces.
- To a lightly greased muffin tin, push each piece of puff pastry down and up into the sides of the muffin holes until evenly distributed.
- Pour custard into each muffin tin so each one is three quarters full. Bake for 16-20 minutes until golden and brown.
- Serve warm with a dusting of icing sugar and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 378 calories, Carbohydrate 34 grams, Fat 24 grams, Fiber 0 grams, Protein 8 grams, Sugar 13 grams
PORTUGUESE CUSTARD TARTS
Steps:
- Pour the egg yolks, sugar and cornstarch into a saucepan and whisk them together. Gradually beat in the cream and milk until smooth. Place the pan over medium heat, and stirring constantly, cook until the mixture thickens and comes to a boil. Switch off the heat, and stir in the vanilla extract. Transfer the custard to a bowl, cover the surface with plastic wrap to prevent a skin from forming, and leave out to cool.
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly grease a 12-count muffin pan.
- Halve the puff pastry sheet horizontally. Set one half on top of the other, and set it aside for 5 minutes. Tightly roll up the puff pastry from short end to short end. Cut the puff pastry log into 12 (1/2-inch) rounds. Lay each piece on a lightly floured surface, and using a rolling pin, flatten out each round until they are 4-inches in diameter. Press each round into each muffin pan. Spoon the cooled custard into the pastry cases, and bake until the pastry and custards are golden, about 20 to 25 minutes. Leave the tarts in the pan for 5 minutes, and then remove and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
PORTUGUESE CUSTARD TARTS
Try these typical Portuguese Custard Tarts. Filled with a delicious cream sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar, it's impossible to resist.
Provided by Food From Portugal
Categories Dessert
Time 1h15m
Yield 14 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Grease muffin pans with margarine.
- Place the puff pastry over a table dusted with flour. Dust the pastry with a little more flour and roll out the pastry into a rectangle shape with a rolling pin. Roll the pastry from one end to the other and cut in round slices with 4 centimeters / (1 1/2 inches). Put the slices within the muffin pans and press the center of the pastry with fingers until fill completely the muffin pans, set aside.
- In a bowl, dissolve the corn starch in 50 ml / (3 1/3 tablespoons) milk.
- In a saucepan, pour the remaining milk, lemon peel, cinnamon stick, the dissolved corn starch and sugar. Stir and bring to low heat, stirring occasionally. When starts boiling, remove the lemon peel and the cinnamon stick (reserve both). Turn off the heat and add the egg yolks one by one, stirring constantly. Add the lemon peel and the cinnamon stick and place back over low heat until obtain a creamy mixture, about 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 180ºC / (350ºF).
- Turn off the heat, remove the lemon peel and the cinnamon stick and pour the cream in the muffin pans. Bake for about 30 minutes.
- Remove from oven, unmold and let cool. Sprinkle with cinnamon and powdered sugar and serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 256.3, Fat 13.7, SaturatedFat 4.1, Cholesterol 75.4, Sodium 89, Carbohydrate 29.7, Fiber 0.4, Sugar 14.4, Protein 4.1
Tips:
- Use high-quality, full-fat ingredients for the best flavor and texture.
- Make sure the oven is preheated before baking the tarts.
- Bake the tarts until the custard is set and the tops are golden brown.
- Allow the tarts to cool slightly before serving.
- Garnish the tarts with fresh fruit, whipped cream, or powdered sugar before serving.
Conclusion:
Portuguese custard tarts are a delicious and versatile dessert that can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. With their creamy custard filling and flaky pastry crust, these tarts are sure to please everyone at your table. Follow these tips and you'll be able to make perfect Portuguese custard tarts at home.
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