Pastel de nata, also known as Portuguese custard tart, is a beloved pastry with a crisp, flaky shell and a rich, creamy egg custard filling. Slightly caramelized on top from baking at high heat, it has a delicate balance of sweetness, egginess, and warmth from cinnamon and vanilla. These tarts are often enjoyed warm with a dusting of powdered sugar or cinnamon and served with a cup of strong coffee. This recipe makes about 12 tarts.
Ingredients
For the custard filling:
1 cup whole milk
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
6 large egg yolks
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Zest of 1 lemon (optional)
For the pastry:
1 sheet puff pastry (thawed if frozen)
Butter for greasing muffin tin
How to Make Pastel de Nata
Preheat your oven to 250°C (480°F) or as hot as your oven can go.
Grease a 12-cup muffin tin lightly with butter.
Roll out the puff pastry into a rectangle. Starting at one edge, roll it tightly into a log. Cut into 12 equal slices.
Place each slice in a muffin cup, cut side up. Press the dough outward with your fingers to fit the bottom and sides of each cup evenly. Chill while making the filling.
In a saucepan, whisk the flour with a few tablespoons of the milk until smooth. Add the rest of the milk and cook over medium heat until it thickens slightly. Remove from heat.
In a separate pan, bring the sugar and water to a boil without stirring. Let it boil for 2–3 minutes until the sugar dissolves into a clear syrup. Remove from heat.
Slowly whisk the syrup into the warm milk mixture.
Whisk the egg yolks, then slowly add the milk-syrup mixture while stirring constantly. Add vanilla and lemon zest. Strain the custard through a sieve for a smooth texture.
Pour the custard into the chilled pastry cups, filling each about 3/4 full.
Bake for 12–15 minutes or until the tops are golden with some dark spots and the pastry is crisp.
Let them cool for a few minutes before removing from the tin.
Serving Suggestions
Dust with powdered sugar or cinnamon, and enjoy warm or at room temperature. Best eaten fresh the same day.
Pastel de nata is one of Portugal’s most iconic sweets, offering a perfect bite of creamy custard wrapped in golden, crisp pastry. It’s both elegant and comforting—an unforgettable little tart with big flavor.
