Description
Pastéis de Nata are iconic Portuguese custard tarts with a crisp puff pastry shell and a creamy, lemon-scented custard filling. Served warm with cinnamon or powdered sugar, they’re a perfect treat any time of day.
Ingredients
4 egg yolks
500 ml milk
150 g sugar
2 tablespoons flour
Zest of 1 lemon
1 sheet of store-bought puff pastry
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 220°C (430°F).
- In a saucepan, mix flour and sugar, then gradually add milk while stirring to avoid lumps.
- Whisk in egg yolks and lemon zest until the mixture is smooth.
- Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the custard thickens. Remove from heat.
- Cut out circles from the puff pastry and press into muffin tins.
- Fill each pastry shell with the custard mixture.
- Bake for 15–20 minutes until tops are golden and caramelized.
- Let cool slightly before serving. Optionally, dust with cinnamon or powdered sugar.
Notes
- Add cinnamon to the custard for a warm twist.
- Swap lemon zest for vanilla extract for a mellow flavor.
- Use plant-based milk like almond or oat for a dairy-free version.
- Make your own puff pastry for an extra flaky result.
- Serve warm for the best experience.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Portuguese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tart
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
