Description
South African milk tart delights with creamy custard nestled in a buttery crust, promising comfort and sweet nostalgia. Homemade goodness awaits you in this classic dessert that connects generations through its simple, irresistible charm.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 cups (1 liter) whole milk
- 3 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups (190g) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
Flavoring Ingredients:
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 teaspoon (5ml) vanilla extract
- Ground cinnamon, for dusting
Thickening Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup (30g) all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup (30g) cornstarch
- 1 large egg
Instructions
- Craft a buttery pastry shell by blending flour, sugar, butter, egg, and vanilla in a food processor until a cohesive dough forms.
- Transfer the dough into a 9-inch tart pan, meticulously pressing it to cover the base and sides with an even layer.
- Use a fork to create small perforations across the dough base, which prevents uneven rising during baking.
- Bake the crust at 350°F (180°C) for 15-20 minutes until achieving a delicate golden hue, then set aside to cool completely.
- Infuse milk with a cinnamon stick over medium heat, warming gently without allowing it to reach a boiling point.
- Simultaneously whisk sugar, flour, cornstarch, and eggs in a separate bowl until achieving a silky, lump-free consistency.
- Gradually stream the warm milk into the egg mixture, continuously whisking to prevent potential curdling.
- Transfer the combined liquid back to the saucepan, cooking over medium heat while stirring consistently until the filling thickens and reaches a pudding-like texture (approximately 5-7 minutes).
- Remove from heat, discard the cinnamon stick, and incorporate vanilla extract for enhanced flavor.
- Elegantly pour the creamy filling into the cooled pastry shell, smoothing the surface with a spatula.
- Generously dust the top with ground cinnamon for a classic, aromatic finish.
- Allow the tart to cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours to set and develop optimal flavor and texture.
Notes
- Create a perfectly smooth crust by using cold butter and handling the dough minimally to prevent tough pastry.
- Prevent egg mixture from curdling by tempering slowly and whisking continuously when adding warm milk.
- Achieve silky filling consistency by stirring constantly and removing from heat the moment the mixture thickens to avoid scrambling.
- Enhance flavor by toasting the cinnamon stick briefly before adding to milk for deeper, richer aromatic notes.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: South African
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 303 kcal
- Sugar: 27 g
- Sodium: 57 mg
- Fat: 13 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg