Golden French Custard Tart Recipe: Classic Elegance Made Simple

Golden and silky, this classic French custard tart whispers tales of Parisian bakeries and warm afternoon delights.

Delicate pastry shells cradle a rich, velvety custard that melts effortlessly on your tongue.

Generations have savored this elegant dessert with its smooth, creamy filling and perfectly crisp crust.

Each bite promises a luxurious experience that transports you straight to the charming streets of France.

The tart balances sweetness and subtle vanilla notes with remarkable finesse.

Simple ingredients come together to create a dessert that feels both rustic and sophisticated.

Grab your whisk and baking pan – this recipe will become your new weekend baking obsession.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 45 minutes

Cook Time: 90 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes

Calories: 365 kcal

Servings: 9

Ingredients for Traditional French Custard Tart

• All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of your tart shell, providing structure and a delicate base for the creamy filling.
• Unsalted Butter: Creates flaky, melt-in-your-mouth texture with rich, golden flavor. Choose high-quality European-style butter for best results.
• Egg: Binds the dough and adds richness, ensuring a smooth and cohesive pastry shell.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the buttery crust.
• Sugar: Adds subtle sweetness and helps with browning during baking.

• Whole Milk: Provides creamy base with luxurious texture. Fresh, full-fat milk delivers the most robust flavor.
• Heavy Cream: Adds extra richness and silky smoothness to the custard's consistency.
• Egg Yolks: Create luscious, velvet-like custard with deep golden color and elegant texture.
• Vanilla Bean: Infuses complex, aromatic flavor. Fresh beans offer more intense taste compared to extract.
• Sugar: Sweetens and helps stabilize the custard's structure.
• Nutmeg: Delivers warm, subtle spice that complements the creamy filling.

• Powdered Sugar: Provides delicate, elegant finishing touch. Sift lightly for professional presentation.

Tools You’ll Need to Craft a Custard Tart

• Tart Pan: 9-inch round with removable bottom for easy slicing and serving.
• Rolling Pin: Essential for rolling out buttery, delicate pastry dough.
• Mixing Bowls: Different sizes for preparing pastry and silky custard.
• Whisk: Perfect for blending custard ingredients smoothly.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Precise measurements guarantee perfect results.
• Baking Beads or Dried Beans: Crucial for successful blind baking.
• Baking Paper: Prevents sticking and helps create a crisp crust.
• Sieve: Optional but helpful for straining custard for extra smoothness.
• Sharp Knife: For clean, even slicing of the finished tart.

How to Bake a Traditional French Custard Tart

• Crust Preparation

Line a tart pan with delicate pastry, carefully pressing edges to create a smooth surface. The pastry should feel silky and delicate against your fingertips.

• Early Baking Stage

Cover the raw pastry with lightweight parchment paper, filling the center with ceramic weights. Slide into a blazing hot oven for about 25 minutes, allowing the shell to develop a golden foundation.

• Final Crust Transformation

Remove the weights and parchment, returning the naked crust to the oven for a quick 5-minute dance to achieve a crisp, elegant finish.

• Custard Embrace

Gently pour your luxurious egg mixture into the pre-baked shell, creating a smooth landscape of creamy potential. Lower the oven temperature and let the tart slowly transform for roughly an hour.

• Patience and Resting

Allow your creation to cool completely, letting the custard settle and develop deep, rich flavors. Store in the refrigerator overnight to let the textures marry and intensify.

• Serving Moment

Bring the tart to room temperature before presenting, revealing a silky, trembling custard nestled in a perfectly crisp shell – a true French culinary masterpiece.

Tips to Perfect the French Custard Tart Filling

• Swap traditional pastry for a graham cracker base for extra crunch and sweetness, adding a delightful twist to the classic French tart.
• Infuse custard with vanilla bean, lavender, or orange zest to create a unique aromatic experience that elevates the traditional recipe.
• Use a digital thermometer to ensure the custard reaches the perfect internal temperature, guaranteeing a silky-smooth texture without overcooking.
• Top with fresh berries, caramelized fruits, or a light dusting of powdered sugar to transform the tart for different occasions and seasons.
• Prepare the tart up to two days in advance, keeping it refrigerated and bringing to room temperature before serving for maximum convenience and flavor preservation.

How to Serve Traditional French Custard Tart

• Pair with Fresh Berries: Scatter a vibrant mix of strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries around the tart to add a burst of color and tangy freshness that complements the creamy custard.
• Dust with Powdered Sugar: Lightly sprinkle delicate powdered sugar over the golden surface, creating an elegant finish that adds a subtle sweetness and professional bakery touch.
• Serve with Whipped Cream: Add a dollop of softly whipped cream on the side, providing a light and airy contrast to the rich, silky custard tart.
• Wine Pairing Option: Complement the dessert with a chilled glass of sweet Sauternes or a crisp late-harvest Riesling, enhancing the tart's delicate flavor profile.

Storage Tips for Traditional French Custard Tart Freshness

• Refrigerate Wisely: Store the tart in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, keeping its delicate custard texture perfect and preventing any flavor absorption from other foods.
• Freeze for Later: Wrap the tart tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for maximum 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator to maintain its smooth, creamy consistency.
• Slice and Serve Strategy: Cut clean slices using a sharp knife dipped in hot water between each cut, ensuring beautiful, neat portions without crumbling the delicate crust.
• Room Temperature Magic: Allow the tart to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving, which softens the custard and enhances its rich, silky flavor profile.

Silky French Custard Tart Recipe

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4.9 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Delicate Parisian custard tart balances silky cream with buttery pastry crust. Crisp edges and smooth filling showcase classic French dessert craftsmanship for sweet-seeking palates.

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Ingredients

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• 1 L (1 qt) milk, full fat
• 2 vanilla beans, seeds scraped, beans reserved
• 120 g (4.2 oz) egg yolks (~6 to 7 large eggs, 100 mL)
• 1 large egg (55 – 60 g / 2 oz)
• 1 cup caster sugar
• 7 tbsps (70 g) cornstarch
• 50 g (5 tbsps) unsalted butter, cold, cut into 1 cm cubes
• 2 sheets butter puff pastry, frozen (25 cm / 10 inches squares, 185 g / 6 oz each)
• 1 egg yolk, whisked
• butter, for greasing

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Instructions

1. Crust Preparation: Meticulously line a tart pan with buttery pie dough, creating uniform thickness and precise edges, then reinforce with parchment paper and ceramic weights to prevent pastry inflation.
2. Initial Baking: Roast the crust in a preheated oven at 220°C/430°F for 30 minutes, achieving golden crisp edges and a pale, structured base by removing weights during the final 5 minutes.
3. Custard Creation: Whisk the vanilla custard mixture until completely smooth and lump-free, ensuring a silky, consistent texture that will set beautifully within the delicate pastry shell.
4. Filling and Baking: Carefully pour the custard into the pre-baked crust, then return to the oven at 200°C/390°F for approximately 65 minutes, monitoring for a subtle center wobble that signals perfect custard consistency.
5. Cooling and Resting: Allow the tart to cool completely at room temperature for 4 hours, then refrigerate for a minimum of 12 hours to stabilize the texture and intensify the flavor profile.
6. Serving: Retrieve the tart from the refrigerator and let it rest at room temperature before serving, which will optimize its delicate flavor and creamy, luxurious mouthfeel.

Notes

• Protect Pastry Edges: Cover the rim with aluminum foil during initial baking to prevent excessive browning and ensure an even, golden crust.
• Master Custard Consistency: Whisk ingredients thoroughly and strain the mixture to eliminate potential lumps, creating a perfectly smooth filling.
• Control Oven Temperature: Use an accurate oven thermometer to maintain precise temperatures, critical for achieving the ideal custard texture and preventing overbaking.
• Patience is Key: Allow sufficient cooling and chilling time to let the custard set completely, which develops deeper flavors and optimal creamy structure.

• Prep Time: 45 minutes
• Cook Time: 90 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 365
• Sugar: 21 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 13 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 145 mg