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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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