20 March 2014

Custard Tarts - A British Classic


Custard tarts are a British classic, one you might recall as Lionel's favorite treat (and a running joke) on that PBS perennial As Time Goes By. Other countries, such as China, Portugal and Australia, have custard tarts as well; but I've only ever had the British kind, traditionally sprinkled with a bit of nutmeg. 

For those interested in food history, custard tarts have been popular in Britain for so long that a version of them was served at the coronation banquet of Henry IV in 1399. 

They're made in all sorts of sizes. I make them this size so that they're perfect for afternoon tea. Three or four bites, no fork needed. I make them in the same 12-cup shallow bun tin that I use for mince pies. A 3.5-inch (9 cm) round cutter makes pastry rounds just the right size for the Nordic Ware Tartlette Pan

Update 03/09/17: I now prefer to use this pastry that I use for my Lemon Tart for the Custard Tarts.


Update 09/16/20: A reader just inquired about whether these need to be refrigerated; she had noticed that Lionel, the TV character mentioned in the first paragraph, stores his in a cupboard. Yes, if they are not to be served within two hours after they come out of the oven, do store them in the refrigerator.

Custard Tarts 


(Makes 12 2.5-inch tartlettes) 

Shortcrust Pastry 

1 1/2 dip-and-sweep cups (7.5 ounces / 213 g) unbleached all-purpose flour 
1 1/2 tablespoons sugar 
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 stick (4 ounces / 113 g) unsalted butter, cold 
1/4 cup ice water 

Custard 

1 cup (237 ml) milk
2 large* eggs
2 to 3 tablespoons sugar 
Pinch salt 
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Ground nutmeg


* If you're in the UK, that would be 2 medium eggs. See my British Conversions page for more details. 

1 In medium bowl, whisk together flour, sugar and salt. With coarse grater over bowl, shred the butter over the flour. (Don't try to shred the very last or you'll shred your fingers; just cut it up.) Stir with a large dinner fork, making sure all the shredded butter is coated with flour. 

2 With the fork, stir in the liquid. If you pinch some of the crumbly dough and it doesn't hold together and there is dry flour in the bowl, add a bit more water. Press the dough together. 

3 Place it on a square of plastic wrap and shape it into a 5-inch disk. Wrap tightly in the plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. 

4 On lightly floured surface, roll out the pastry to a 12x15-inch rectangle. Using a 3.5-inch round cutter, cut out 12 rounds. Lightly spray a 12-cup shallow bun tin, such as the wonderful Nordic Ware Tartlette Pan I use, with cooking spray. Press pastry rounds into the wells of the tin, finishing the edge as you like; making a higher edge than I did this time allows you to use a bit more filling. Chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. During last 10 minutes, preheat oven to 400 degrees (200C / Gas Mark 6).


5 Bake tart shells (also called pastry cases) at 400 degrees for 15 minutes. After 5 minutes, pull tin out of the oven and quickly press down any pastry cases that have puffed up; continue baking. Meanwhile, prepare custard. In 1-quart saucepan, heat milk until small bubbles start to form around the edge. 

6 In another 1-quart saucepan, whisk together eggs, sugar, salt and vanilla. Gradually whisk hot milk into egg mixture. Pour through fine strainer back into pan in which you heated milk. 

7 Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees (180C / Gas Mark 4) when you remove pastry cases from the oven. Pour or ladle custard carefully into the pastry cases, filling to the brim as they will deflate a bit while cooling. You can pour from a jug with a spout or use a small ladle. Sprinkle with nutmeg. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 23 minutes, or until just set and a bit wobbly.

Note: Pour any leftover custard mixture into a custard cup, sprinkle with nutmeg and bake along with the tarts (and probably continue baking for a while after the tarts are done). 

8 Cool in tin on wire rack for 5 minutes. Carefully remove tarts from tin and continue cooling on wire rack for about 30 minutes. Serve at room temperature.

Jean

44 comments:

Amy at love made my home said...

Yes, I remember Lionel, the moment there was any sign of female angst he was off to the kitchen to look for a custard tart and a cup of tea!!! So funny! xx

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Great character! I love Geoffrey Palmer--just looked him up and learned he's 86 now! Wonder if *he* likes custard tarts, too.

The Wimpy Vegetarian said...

These are gorgeous, Jean! I love custard, and love how these sound. Pinning right now to make when I get my kitchen back. And thanks for the history note. I'm fascinated by the Middle Ages. Have a great day!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks so much! I hope your remodel goes smoothly and you have your kitchen back soon.

TONY said...

Being British I like a good tart with a warm heart to it.
Does your husband like a good warm tart too, Jean?

Jean, I couldn't resist!!!!!!!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

No, you couldn't resist, Tony! Reminds me of one of my favourite lines from Good Neighbors/The Good Life; Margo says, "That's the last time I play the tart for you, Jerry."

Richard Sheppard said...

I don't believe I've ever eaten one of these but they sure do look good. I LOVE vanilla custard so I'm sure to like these mini pie-tarts. Yum.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Richard, thanks! They're kind of fun to make, too--a little "fiddly," yes, but fun!

Bonnie said...

Yum! These sound perfect for spring. I want the tartlet pan. The possibilities are endless. Bonnie

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thank you, Bonnie! I hope you wil make them soon!

Vohn McGuinness said...

They look great Jean - well done - not the easiest of tarts to make! Vohn x

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thank you, Vohn! Now I'm in the mood to make little mince pies.

NanaDiana said...

Jean- That sounds absolutely wonderful. We love custard and I think I need to give this a go- xo Diana

Angie's Recipes said...

These tartlets are very beautifully done, Jean. Simply irresistible!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Angie

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Diana, I hope you will! They'd be a healthy little treat for the grandchildren!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Angie! I've always liked little individual treats.

Thomas "Sully" Sullivan said...

Three or four bytes? Hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha! If they’re good – and they look it – they will not be nibbled by the likes of Henry IV. Picture Mammoth Cave with a conveyor belt. Ditto Sully the First. I used to buy a dozen custard donuts and just eat out the part that had the filling. Yes, I hang my head in shame (also to hide the smile of satisfaction). Of course, I wouldn’t do that anymore. Ten…maybe 10, but not a dozen – yeesh – that would be overdoing it, eh wot? Move over Hank IV.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Hank the Fourth, Sully the First--Bet neither of you could compete with Henry the Eighth, unless you also throw gigantic bones over your shoulders!

LANA said...

I used to make custard tarts for my hubby when we watched As Time Goes By and we would laugh because our story was almost the same as as Jean and Lionel's. Always happy to have a new recipe.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Lana, that's amazing! Thanks for sharing that bit of your story with me! Now I'll think of you whenever we have custard tarts!

Pauline Wiles said...

Sorry it's taken me a couple of days to come and pay appropriate respects to your custard tarts! They look delicious and isn't it funny how the nutmeg makes the whole taste come together perfectly?

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Pauline! Yes, custard tarts are like eggnog -- you *must* add the nutmeg!

Arti said...

This looks good. Never tried the British custard tarts though. In our house, we love the Chinese custard tarts. :)

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Arti! I'll have to give the Chinese tarts a try!

Ruth Schiffmann said...

My brother-in-law (who hosts our Thanksgiving get togethers) loves custard, I might have to bookmark this for November. This past Thanksgiving I made your Angel Cake with custard sauce. (Big hit!) This would be something fun and new to try.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Ruth, thank you so much for sharing that with me -- I love family food stories! Let me know how it turns out for you.

Charles said...

Boy, I haven't had a custard tart in AGES! Used to quite enjoy them, although I will admit that my favourite was a custard slice. I was sent to a bakery one day by my sister, who had a craving for a custard slice and I accidently brought back tarts instead... oops! She wasn't happy. I can understand - these aren't so sweet and sticky as slices... I think they need a more refined, adult taste! :D

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

I like that, Charles--a more refined, adult taste! I just have never liked overly sweet things.

Antiques And Teacups said...

Hi Jean...I was raised with custard tarts made by my Nana...indeed a British tradition. Can't say I have made them in agea...that might have to change! Thanks for linking to Tuesday Cuppa Tea and have a wonderful 4th of July weekend!
Ruth

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Ruth, thank you. And do let me know if you make some custard tarts. I'm going to make jam tarts this week.

Sylvia said...

Jean, I love your presentation with a tea cup and saucer. I enjoy As Time Goes By a lot. Thanks for sharing the recipe for Custard tarts. Sylvia D.

Margie said...

I've only had Portuguese custard tarts so it's a complete revelation that it's also a British tradition.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Sylvia, thank you. And I'm so glad to find another As Time Goes By fan!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Margie, I'm so glad this was a "revelation" for you! That is sooo fun!

Bernideen said...

These look delicious Jean! Always wonderful recipes here!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Bernideen! I'm posting a new one on Thursday that you might like!

Anonymous said...

These look amazing! I wish I was more confident when it comes to crust because I am terrible at it. But this may make me give it a go.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thank you, Magnolia! I hope you will. I have lots of different pastries on the blog. Check them out!

Louca por porcelana said...

They look delicious!Hugs!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thank you, Maristella!

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

Your custard tarts look wonderful, Jean. I have had custard pie but not the tarts. And why not tarts? A wee bit of British goodness sprinkled with nutmeg; yum! The trouble with visiting you is I usually end up craving something and now that I'm able to bake again, I will likely end up making these in the near future. Oh, my poor waistline! ;-)

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Sandi, thank you! And if you do what I do--limit my sugar intake to never more than 6 teaspoons in a day and never snack after dinner--you won't have to worry about your waistline.

Bernideen said...

Dear Jean: These are darling for Afternoon Tea! My company loved your Hummingbird Muffins I made them and my friend took home your recipe! Sorry I am just coming to comment on this post now but with company I was extra busy.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Bernideen, that's wonderful, thank you! I hope your friend will visit the blog some time.