Pasteis de Nata (Custard Tarts) Recipe - Food.com (2024)

12

Submitted by Evamyth

"A trulty delicious custard tartlet. They might not look very good but everyone who tastes them loves them. I have to have them at every party I give. A traditional Portuguese pastry. Not sure about the prep or cook times, I only made them once many years ago, its easier to buy them ;-) adapted from "Foods of the Azores Islands" by Deolinda Maria Avila (Self-published, 1977) Makes 12 pastries Make sure the pastry ingredients are well chilled and the custard ingredients are at room temperature. The pastry is partially baked before filling to eliminate an uncooked pastry layer that sometimes can result."

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Pasteis de Nata (Custard Tarts) Recipe - Food.com (5) Pasteis de Nata (Custard Tarts) Recipe - Food.com (6)

Pasteis de Nata (Custard Tarts) Recipe - Food.com (7) Pasteis de Nata (Custard Tarts) Recipe - Food.com (8)

Ready In:
40mins

Ingredients:
9
Yields:

12 tartlets

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ingredients

  • Pastry

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for rolling
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 10 tablespoons chilled unsalted butter, cut into 1/4 inch cubes
  • 5 -7 tablespoons ice water
  • Custard

  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 12 cups heavy cream
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 6 egg yolks

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directions

  • Make the pastry.
  • In the bowl of a food processor fitted with a metal blade, pulse the flour, salt and sugar to combine.
  • Add the butter and pulse until the flour resembles coarse, uneven cornmeal, about 10 1-second pulses.
  • Drizzle 5 tablespoons of the ice water over the mixture.
  • Pulse several times to work the water into the flour.
  • Add the remaining water, 1 tablespoon at a time, and continue pulsing until the mixture develops small curds.
  • Turn the dough out onto a work surface, shape it into a disc and cover with plastic wrap.
  • Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
  • On a lightly floured surface, roll half the dough to 1/16-inch thickness.
  • Cut out 6 (4 1/2-inch) circles.
  • (If you don't have a cookie cutter, a wide-mouth jar works well.) Ease the dough circles into a 12-cup (4-ounce capacity) nonstick muffin tin, pressing out any overlapping folds.
  • Repeat with the remaining dough.
  • Place the tin in the freezer for 5 minutes.
  • Remove and trim any overhang with the back of a knife so that the pastry cups are flush with the top of the tins.
  • Line dough cups with cupcake papers and fill with dried beans or pastry weights.
  • Bake at 350°F (180°C) for 8 to 10 minutes to set.
  • Make the custard.
  • Dissolve the cornstarch in 1/4 cup of the cream in a medium bowl.
  • Add the remaining cream and sugar, and stir until the mixture is smooth and the sugar dissolves.
  • Check for sugar granules with a spoon; none should remain.
  • In a small bowl, blend the yolks with a fork until smooth.
  • Add the yolks to the cream mixture, stirring gently to combine.
  • Ladle the egg mixture into the partially baked pastry cups, filling to 2/3 capacity.
  • Bake in at 350°F (180°C) until the edges of the custard are puffed and middle is still jiggly, about 20 to 25 minutes.
  • (The custard will continue to cook.) Cool completely in the tin.
  • The pastéis are best when eaten the same day.

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Reviews

  1. This is NOT the David Leite recipe but if you don't want to literally make your own puff pastry and use a lot of ingredients, this recipe is for you. I made this after eating the originals in Lisbon and while they are nowhere close to the originals, and why would they be when I don't churn out 10,000 a day, they were excellent never the less. I did add 1 1/2 tsp vanilla and a cinnamon stick to the custard. I also heated the cream to dissolve the sugar. I took off a star because the recipe was missing these ingredients and instructions. The instructions are 100% necessary to achieve good results. With these improvements, I am rating the recipe 5 starts in my own files and will definitely make again as they are super easy.

    3b1b05a5

  2. I have made these tarts twice, once using the pastry crust in the recipe and this morning using filo. I like the pastry crust but I have to say, the crunch of the filo is fantastic! What a wonderful recipe this is. It couldn't be easier or more delicious! Thanks!

    • Pasteis de Nata (Custard Tarts) Recipe - Food.com (13)

    Robin

  3. Pasteis de Nata are a classic Portuguese dessert and so yummy, sprinkled with a little cinnamon. I am looking forward to making these this weekend and sharing my comments.

    foodjules

  4. Hello from Portugal!!! Its so nice to see some Portuguese receipes being posted!!These custard tarts are just lovely, but even better served warm with cinnamon sprinkled over top, just like the chef below commented.I've already tried out your receipeand it turned out just lovely, absolutly DILICIOUSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!

    Mia 3

  5. Hello from Portugal,,the land and origin of these custard tarts. They are over one hundred years old and are the best kept secret in portugal. The original pasteis de nata are from Belem in Lisbon, all others are a copy which by the way the original pastery is made of phylo. This recipe looks good and l will try it. If anyone has the opertunity to have the original, l and thousands recomend them. Be prepared to wait in line for the hot custards and also to go off your diet because they are unrisitable. By the way, you eat them warm served with cinnamon. Enjoy!!

    babyiguana

see 7 more reviews

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RECIPE SUBMITTED BY

Evamyth

Montreal, 0

  • 4 Followers
  • 31 Recipes
  • 4 Tweaks

<p>I live in Montreal, Canada with my husband and two children (boy born in 1998 and girl born 2000). No, we weren't going for a Y2K baby, she was born in August :-) I love to cook but I hate decidng what to make. I'm just starting to plan my meals in advance and am finding it a real challenge. I love the fact that real people review these recipes and add their own hints and tips. <br /> <br />My son has recently (Sept 8, 2003)started the ketogenic diet for his epilepsy so I'm learning how to disguise cream and oil and how to make miniscule portions look bigger. It's an interesting challenge. As of Februaury 27, 2004 there has been no improvement in my son's seizures so we have have decided to stop the diet. We have to stop the diet gradually though so it will be about two months before he can eat regular food again. There is one more medication we can try and after that our last option is a VNS (vagal nerve stimulator). It is similar to a pacemaker but for the vagal nerve in your neck instead of for the heart. Wish us luck! <br />Update Feb 2005- Well, my son had the vns implanted in June 2004 and it hasn't stopped the seizures but it did make them shorter (30-45 seconds instead of 2 to 2 1/2 minutes). His doctors plan to increase the setting until we see more results or the side-effects get too annoying.</p>

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FAQs

What is the difference between English custard tart and pasteis de nata? ›

Instead of a short, crumbly pastry, the pastel de nata has a crisp, slightly salty, layered crust; and, rather than the firm, egg-rich fillings of the classic British or French custard tart, the filling is almost molten, and spiced with cinnamon and lemon zest, as opposed to our peppery nutmeg or sweet vanilla.

What is the difference between Pasteis de Belem and Pasteis de Nata? ›

But the simplest explanation is that pastéis de nata is the generic term, whereas pastéis de Belém has become popular due to the prestige of this particular pastry shop. Although the latter technically refers to the ones made here, it's often used to talk about Portuguese custard tarts in general.

What is the original pasteis de nata? ›

The origin of Pastel de Nata dates back to before the 18th century, where they were created by monks at the Jerónimos Monastery in the parish of Santa Maria de Belém in Lisbon. At that time, convents and monasteries used large quantities of egg-whites for starching clothes.

What is another name for pasteis de nata? ›

The Pastel de Nata is, undoubtedly, the most famous among the Portuguese sweets. Appreciated by both portuguese and foreigners, it makes success where it goes. It is called by different names: in Brazil, Pastel de Belém; in the United Kingdom, Portuguese Custard Tart; in the USA, it is the Egg Tart.

Is pastéis de nata like crème brûlée? ›

Pastel de nata is similar to a crème brûlée baked inside of a flaky edible crust. The inside is a perfect egg custard-- not too sweet and too to heavy. It is a perfect balance of crunchiness and creaminess. It is no wonder why pastel de nata is the national dessert of Portugal.

Is pastéis de nata served warm or cold? ›

While pasteis de nata are best enjoyed warm on the day they're made, they can be stored at room temperature for up to two days. Reheat them in a 350 degrees F oven for best results.

What do you drink with pastéis de nata? ›

Port may be the traditional pairing with this pastry, but I would suggest a Moscatel de Setubal from JP Vinhos, or Jose Maria da Fonseca, which are smoother and sweeter, but still match the richness of the creme-brulee like Pasteis.

What is the difference between a custard tart and a Portuguese custard tart? ›

British tarts use the less flavoursome shortcrust pastry, which doesn't provide as much textural contrast with the smooth custard. They are also topped with nutmeg, which fails to bring the custard alive as Portugal's cinnamon does. Worse, they are now almost all mass-produced with palm oil-based pastry.

What is the ranking of pastéis de nata? ›

Among the 50 best cakes in the world, the first place is reserved for the traditional “Pastel de Belém” with a score of 4.9 out of 5. Next, in second place, Portugal is also represented with the “Pastel de Nata”, which has a rating of 4.8.

What is the famous Portuguese tart called? ›

Pastel de nata (Portuguese: [pɐʃˈtɛl dɨ ˈnatɐ]; pl. : pastéis de nata; Portuguese: [pɐʃˈtɐjʒ ðɨ-])) or pastel de Belém is a Portuguese egg custard tart pastry, optionally dusted with cinnamon.

Who invented pastéis de nata? ›

Pastel de nata were invented in the 18th century, by monks at the Jerónimos Monastery in Santa Maria de Belem. At the time, it was common practice to use egg whites to starch nuns' habits — which, naturally, left the monks with a ton of leftover yolks.

How long can you keep pastéis de nata in the fridge? ›

Once defrosted and baked, the natas need to be consumed within 48 hours.

What is the difference between milk tart and pastéis de nata? ›

Custard Tarts Around the World

Whether it be a French Flan Patissier, a Portuguese Pasteis de Nata or an Italian Torte della Nonna, there are definite similarities the world over. The major difference in comparison of Milk Tart to these, is the absence of lots of eggs in the custard.

What is the difference between egg tart and pastéis de nata? ›

When it comes to flavour enhancements, Almeida says the syrup enables bakers to infuse the pastel de nata filling with cinnamon sticks and lemon rinds. While this infusion is common in preparing the Portuguese confection, the Macao egg tart has no trace of cinnamon nor lemon.

What is the difference between British custard and American custard? ›

UK custard is a completely different thing to what the US call custard. In the USA it is more like ice cream, or frozen Yogurt, or what the local place in St Louis Ted Drewes calls “concrete”. In other word it's usually a chilled confection of the same consistency as ice cream and often served by itself in a pot.

What is the difference between milk tart and pastel de nata? ›

Custard Tarts Around the World

Whether it be a French Flan Patissier, a Portuguese Pasteis de Nata or an Italian Torte della Nonna, there are definite similarities the world over. The major difference in comparison of Milk Tart to these, is the absence of lots of eggs in the custard.

Is egg tart same as pastel de nata? ›

The egg tart (traditional Chinese: 蛋撻; simplified Chinese: 蛋挞; Cantonese Yale: daahn tāat; pinyin: dàntǎ) is a kind of custard tart found in Chinese cuisine, derived from the English custard tart and Portuguese pastel de nata. The dish consists of an outer pastry crust filled with egg custard.

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