Portuguese Custard Tart (Pastel de Nata) Recipe

Learn how to make authentic homemade Portuguese Custard Tarts with this best easy baking recipe. These flaky, caramelized treats feature buttery laminated dough and creamy custard infused with cinnamon and lemon. Master the technique for creating the signature scorched top that makes these pastéis truly special.

Difficulty:

Intermediate

Prep Time:

45 mins

Cook Time:

15 mins

Serves:

12 tarts

Ingredients

<ul class="ingredients-main-list"><li class="ingredients-single-item">For the pastry:</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">250g all-purpose flour</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">175g cold unsalted butter</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">80ml cold water</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">¼ tsp fine sea salt</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">For the custard filling:</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">250ml whole milk</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">200ml heavy cream</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 cinnamon stick</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">Zest of 1 lemon, peeled in strips</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">150g granulated sugar</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">35g all-purpose flour</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">6 egg yolks</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 tsp vanilla extract</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">Ground cinnamon for dusting</li></ul>

Equipment

<ul class="equipment-main-list"><li class="equipment-single-item">12-cup muffin tin</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Rolling pin</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Small saucepan</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Fine mesh strainer</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Pastry brush</li></ul>

Directions

<ol class="no-list-style"><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 1</h4>Begin with the pastry. In a bowl, combine flour and salt. Grate the cold butter into the flour and use your fingertips to gently rub it in until you have coarse crumbs. Make a well in the center, add cold water, and mix until the dough just comes together. Be careful not to overwork – this keeps the pastry flaky. Shape into a rectangle, wrap in plastic, and chill for 20 minutes.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 2</h4>On a lightly floured surface, roll the chilled dough into a rectangle about 25cm x 45cm. Fold the dough in thirds like a letter (bottom third up, top third down). Turn 90 degrees, roll out again, and repeat the folding. This lamination process creates the characteristic flaky layers. Wrap and chill for another 30 minutes.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 3</h4>While the dough chills, prepare the custard. In a saucepan, combine milk, cream, cinnamon stick, and lemon zest. Heat until just simmering, then remove from heat, cover, and let infuse for 15 minutes. The aromatic oils from the cinnamon and lemon will permeate the milk, giving your custard its characteristic flavor.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 4</h4>In a separate bowl, whisk together sugar and flour. Slowly whisk in about a quarter of the warm milk mixture to create a smooth paste without lumps. Strain the remaining milk mixture into the bowl, discarding the cinnamon and lemon zest. Add the egg yolks and vanilla, whisking until completely incorporated. The mixture should be smooth and have a pale yellow color.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 5</h4>Return the custard mixture to the saucepan and cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens slightly – about 5 minutes. It should coat the back of a spoon but remain pourable. Don't let it boil or the eggs will scramble. Transfer to a bowl, cover the surface directly with plastic wrap to prevent a skin forming, and let cool to room temperature.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 6</h4>Preheat your oven to its maximum temperature (usually 230-250°C/450-475°F) with a baking sheet inside. The extremely hot oven is crucial for achieving the signature caramelized tops. Position a rack in the upper third of the oven.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 7</h4>Roll the chilled dough into a tight log about 30cm long. Cut into 12 equal pieces. Place each piece in a muffin cup, cut side up. Dip your thumbs in water and press the dough from the center up the sides until it reaches slightly above the rim. The dough should be very thin – almost transparent – on the sides and slightly thicker on the bottom.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 8</h4>Fill each pastry case about ¾ full with the custard mixture. Don't overfill as the custard will expand during baking. The custard should come up to about 5mm below the rim of the pastry.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 9</h4>Place the muffin tin on the preheated baking sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes, until the pastry is golden and crisp and the tops of the custards have dark caramelized spots. Watch carefully during the last few minutes – you want them just on the edge of being burnt for authentic flavor and appearance.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 10</h4>Remove from the oven and let cool in the tin for 5 minutes before carefully transferring to a wire rack. The custard will be extremely hot, so handle with care. Let cool for another 10 minutes before serving. Dust lightly with ground cinnamon if desired. Pastéis de nata are best enjoyed warm on the day they're made, preferably with a cup of coffee!</li></ol>

FAQs

Find answers to your most pressing questions about this delicious recipe right here.

What ingredients are used in Portuguese Custard Tart (Pastel de Nata)?

Portuguese Custard Tarts require pastry ingredients (flour, butter, water, salt) and custard components (milk, cream, cinnamon, lemon zest, sugar, flour, egg yolks, vanilla). These combine to create the signature flaky shell and caramelised custard filling characteristic of authentic pastéis de nata.

How to cook Portuguese Custard Tart (Pastel de Nata) at home?

Learn how to cook Portuguese Custard Tart by creating a laminated dough for the shell and a silky custard infused with cinnamon and lemon. The secret lies in baking at extremely high temperatures (230-250°C) to achieve the signature caramelised top with dark spots. Proper technique ensures authentic pastéis with crisp, flaky shells and creamy centres worthy of a Lisbon bakery.

Why do traditional pastéis de nata have dark spots on top?

The characteristic dark spots on pastéis de nata result from baking at extremely high temperatures (230-250°C). This intentional caramelisation creates the signature "scorched" appearance and develops complex flavours through the Maillard reaction. Authentic Portuguese bakeries consider these spots essential for proper taste and visual appeal.

What's the trick to achieving flaky pastry for authentic custard tarts?

The key to flaky pastry for Portuguese tarts is proper lamination—folding cold butter into dough multiple times creates distinct layers. Working with cold ingredients, minimal handling, and allowing proper resting time between folds prevents the butter from melting prematurely, ensuring those characteristic crisp, airy layers in the final baked shells.

Can you make pastéis de nata ahead of time?

While pastéis de nata are best enjoyed fresh and warm, you can prepare components ahead of time. The dough can be made and laminated a day in advance, and the custard mixture can be refrigerated overnight. However, for the authentic experience, they should be baked and served the same day, ideally within hours of baking.

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