The Best Homemade Custard Tarts
Introduction
Homemade custard tarts are a classic treat, beloved for their irresistibly creamy centers and buttery, crisp pastry shells. These delightful desserts, often found at bakeries and gatherings, are surprisingly easy to master at home. Their elegant simplicity makes them perfect for everything from afternoon teas to holiday celebrations—each bite is a comforting blend of silky custard and golden pastry.
Why Make These Custard Tarts?
What makes these tarts truly special is their balance of flavors and textures: rich, vanilla-infused custard paired with a crisp pastry shell. By crafting them at home, you get a fresher, more decadent result than anything store-bought. Plus, they’re excellent for making ahead—meaning you’ll always have a crowd-pleaser ready for any occasion.
Perfecting Your Homemade Custard Filling
A luscious, smooth custard is at the heart of any great tart. Ensure your milk mixture doesn’t boil (just gently simmer) and temper the eggs carefully. A ThermoPro TP19H Digital Meat Thermometer for Cooking can help verify the custard doesn’t overheat, preventing curdling for that perfect silky texture.
Combine whole milk, heavy cream, and fresh vanilla bean (or good-quality extract) for luxurious depth of flavor. Adding a dash of freshly grated nutmeg before baking gives that finishing touch.
Mastering Crisp Tart Pastry
For a crisp pastry, use cold butter and light handling—this keeps the dough tender and flaky. A Amazon Basics Digital Kitchen Scale with LCD Display, Black and Stainless Steel ensures precise measurements for consistent results. After chilling your dough, roll and cut it to fit your tart pans, lining each with care.
To prevent sticking and promote a beautiful golden finish, line your pans with Reynolds Kitchens Brown Parchment Paper Roll, 45 Square Feet.
Baking and Serving Your Custard Tarts
Bake the tart shells until just golden, then pour in the custard and bake gently until set with a slight wobble in the middle. Let cool completely for the best slice. Serving is a breeze: dust with extra nutmeg or a touch of powdered sugar right before serving.
Transporting or storing leftovers? Place tarts in Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers, Set of 5 (3.2 Cup) to keep them fresh for up to three days.
Nutritional Information and Serving Size
This recipe yields 12 classic custard tarts. Each tart clocks in around 180–200 calories, depending on exact ingredient brands and amounts. They’re just the right size for a treat—rich enough to satisfy, but not overindulgent.
The Best Homemade Custard Tarts (Recap)
These homemade custard tarts have it all: crisp pastry, creamy custard, and a nostalgic flavor that delights every time. Their make-ahead convenience, elegant look, and melt-in-your-mouth texture make them a timeless dessert choice.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Place the flour and powdered sugar in a bowl. Using your fingertips or a pastry blender, rub in the cold butter until the mix resembles fine crumbs. Stir in the egg yolk and 2 tbsp cold water; gently bring the dough together, adding an extra tablespoon of water if needed.
- Wrap the dough and chill for at least 30 minutes. Roll out on a lightly floured surface and cut to fit 12 tart pans. Line each pan with Reynolds Kitchens Brown Parchment Paper Roll, 45 Square Feet and weigh down with baking beans. Blind-bake at 375°F for 12 minutes, then remove weights and bake 4 minutes more.
- For the custard, slowly heat the milk and cream in a saucepan until just steaming. In a bowl, whisk together egg yolks, sugar, vanilla, and salt.
- Temper the egg mixture by slowly whisking in the hot milk mix. (Use a ThermoPro TP19H Digital Meat Thermometer for Cooking to ensure the mixture is below 180°F before adding to eggs.) Strain to catch any lumps.
- Carefully pour the custard into your tart shells. Sprinkle tops with freshly grated nutmeg.
- Bake at 325°F for 20–25 minutes, until custard is just set but still slightly wobbly in the center.
- Cool completely on a rack, then gently remove from tins. For easy cleanup and storage, use Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers, Set of 5 (3.2 Cup).
- Serve and enjoy the best homemade custard tarts!
Cook and Prep Times
Prep Time: 35 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes (plus chilling)
