Description
A beloved Portuguese pastry with a crisp, flaky shell and silky-smooth custard filling, Pastéis de Nata are sweet, creamy, and perfectly caramelized on top. Serve warm with cinnamon and powdered sugar for an authentic bite of Lisbon.
Ingredients
- Puff Pastry Sheets: 1 package – Forms the crisp tart shell
- Egg Yolks: 6 large – Creates the golden custard
- Whole Milk: 1 cup – Adds creaminess
- Heavy Cream: ½ cup – Makes the custard rich and smooth
- Granulated Sugar: ¾ cup – Sweetens and helps with caramelization
- Vanilla Extract: 1 teaspoon – Enhances flavor
- Cornstarch: 2 tablespoons – Gently thickens the custard
- Lemon Peel (optional): From 1 lemon – Adds brightness
- Cinnamon Stick (optional): 1 stick – Adds warmth to the custard
- Powdered Sugar and Ground Cinnamon: For sprinkling before serving
Instructions
- Preheat Your Equipment: Preheat oven to 500°F (260°C). Lightly grease a 12-cup metal muffin tin.
- Combine Ingredients: Heat milk, cream, lemon peel, and cinnamon stick in a saucepan. Whisk sugar, cornstarch, egg yolks, and vanilla in a bowl. Pour warm milk into yolk mixture, whisking constantly. Return to heat and cook until slightly thickened. Strain and cool.
- Prepare Your Cooking Vessel: Roll out puff pastry into a thin rectangle and roll into a log. Slice into 12 pieces and press each into muffin cups.
- Assemble the Dish: Fill pastry cups ¾ full with custard.
- Cook to Perfection: Bake for 14–16 minutes until tops blister and pastry is golden. Cool in pan 5 minutes.
- Finishing Touches: Transfer to wire rack and dust with cinnamon and powdered sugar.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- Use a metal muffin tin for crisper crusts.
- Chill pastry and custard before assembling if preparing ahead.
- Rotate pan halfway through baking for even browning.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 16 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Portuguese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tart
- Calories: 225
- Sugar: 17g
- Sodium: 110mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: pastéis de nata, Portuguese egg tarts, custard tarts, flaky tart, Lisbon dessert