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How to Make Portuguese Custard Tarts (Pasteis de Nata) - A Step-by-Step Guide

If you have ever visited Portugal or tried Portuguese cuisine, chances are you have come across one of the country's most beloved desserts: Pasteis de Nata, also known as Portuguese Custard Tarts. These delicious, creamy tarts are a pastry lover's dream, with a flaky, buttery crust filled with a rich, custard filling that is lightly caramelized on top.

While Pasteis de Nata are readily available in bakeries and cafes throughout Portugal, there is nothing quite like making them from sc...

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Ingredients

  • 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 (Optional)
  • 1 lemon, zested in large strips (Optional)
  • ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 ½ cups milk
  • 6 large egg yolks
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (Optional)

Information

  • Prep Time: 1 hr
  • Cook Time: 25 mins
  • Additional Time: 2 hrs 35 mins
  • Total Time: 4 hrs
  • Servings: 12
  • Yield: 12 tarts

  • 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 1 to 2 minutes 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 the oven to 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 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 your 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. Enjoy!

    • Nutrition

    210 cal.

    • Total Fat: 11g
    • Saturated Fat: 6g
    • Cholesterol: 125mg
    • Sodium: 98mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 25g
    • Dietary Fiber: 1g
    • Total Sugars: 14g
    • Protein: 4g
    • Vitamin C: 1mg
    • Calcium: 55mg
    • Iron: 1mg
    • Potassium: 75mg

    Categories

    Pastry recipes
    Portuguese recipes
    Dessert recipes
    Baking recipes
    Traditional recipes