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British custard tarts are a delicious treat enjoyed by many. Making them from scratch allows you to enjoy a fresh, homemade dessert with a rich, creamy filling and a flaky pastry crust. This step-by-step guide will walk you through the process from preparing the ingredients to serving your perfect custard tarts.
Ingredients Needed
- For the pastry:
- 200g plain flour
- 100g cold unsalted butter
- 50g icing sugar
- 1 egg yolk
- 2-3 tbsp cold water
- For the custard filling:
- 3 large eggs
- 150ml whole milk
- 150ml double cream
- 100g caster sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Preparing the Pastry
Start by making the pastry dough. In a large bowl, combine the flour and icing sugar. Cut in the cold butter until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Add the egg yolk and cold water gradually, mixing until the dough comes together. Form into a ball, wrap in cling film, and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
Making the Custard Filling
While the pastry chills, prepare the custard filling. In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, caster sugar, and vanilla extract. Warm the milk and cream in a saucepan until just boiling, then slowly pour into the egg mixture, whisking constantly to prevent curdling. Strain the mixture to ensure smoothness.
Assembling the Tarts
Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Roll out the chilled pastry on a floured surface to about 3mm thickness. Cut out circles and line your tart tins. Prick the bases with a fork to prevent bubbling. Pour the custard filling into the pastry cases, filling them about three-quarters full.
Baking and Serving
Bake the custard tarts in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the custard is set and the pastry is golden. Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly before serving. These tarts are best enjoyed warm or at room temperature, perhaps with a dusting of icing sugar or a dollop of whipped cream.