South African Milk Tart
South African Milk Tart
This traditional South African dessert is a creamy, custard-filled tart with a delicate crust. It's perfect for special occasions like Easter, Mother’s Day, or as a teatime treat.
Equipment
- Pie dish
- Pie weights
- Wire rack
Ingredients
Sweet Shortcrust Pastry:
- 6 oz butter softened
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- Pinch salt
- ¼ tsp pure almond extract
Filling:
- 4 cups milk
- 1 tbsp butter
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 3 tbsp cornstarch
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- Pinch salt
- 1 tbsp cinnamon for dusting
Instructions
For the Crust:
- Prepare the Pastry Dough:In a bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.Beat in the egg and almond extract.Gradually add the flour and salt, stirring until a soft dough forms.Knead the dough lightly, then chill in the refrigerator for 10 minutes.
- Blind Bake the Crust:Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).Roll out the dough on a floured surface and press it into a greased pie dish.Cover the dough with parchment paper and fill it with pie weights.Bake for 15 minutes, then remove the weights and parchment paper. Let the crust cool completely on a wire rack.
For the Filling:
- Prepare the Filling Mixture:In a heatproof bowl, whisk together the eggs, sugar, cornstarch, flour, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Set aside.
- Heat the Milk and Combine:In a medium saucepan, heat the milk and butter over medium heat. Do not allow it to boil.Gradually add about a fourth of the warm milk to the egg mixture, whisking constantly to temper the eggs.Pour the egg mixture back into the saucepan with the remaining milk, and return to heat. Stir constantly until the mixture thickens (do not let it boil).
- Assemble the Tart:Pour the thickened filling into the cooled pie crust.Let the tart cool completely, then refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Final Touch:Before serving, sprinkle the top of the tart with cinnamon for a flavorful finish.
Notes
- Crust Tip: Blind baking the crust with pie weights ensures it stays crisp and flaky.
- Custard Texture: Stir continuously when cooking the filling to prevent lumps and avoid boiling.
- Serving Suggestions: Enjoy chilled, sprinkled with cinnamon for added flavor.
Nutrition
Calories: 491kcalCarbohydrates: 61gProtein: 10gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 14gCholesterol: 129mgSodium: 273mgFiber: 1gSugar: 25g
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