Ingredients
Scale
For the Laminated Dough:
- 280g all-purpose flour
- 6g fine sea salt
- 210ml cold water
- 230g European-style butter, room temperature
For the Custard Filling:
- 30g all-purpose flour
- 300ml whole milk, divided
- 260g granulated sugar
- 160ml water
- 1 vanilla bean, split and scraped
- 6 large egg yolks, carefully separated
Instructions
Preparing the Laminated Dough:
- Combine flour and salt in a stand mixer bowl. Gradually add cold water, mixing on low speed until a soft dough forms.
- Shape the dough into a square on a floured surface. Cover and rest for 15 minutes.
- Roll the dough into an 18-inch square, keeping thickness even and edges straight.
- Dot two-thirds of the dough with butter, spread evenly, leaving a clean border.
- Fold the unbuttered third over the center, then fold the opposite end over that. Rotate 90 degrees.
- Repeat the rolling and folding process two more times, chilling dough between folds if it softens.
- For the final turn, roll into a rectangle and tightly spiral the dough into a log. Chill.
Crafting the Custard:
- Create a paste by mixing 30g flour with a small portion of milk until smooth.
- In a saucepan, heat sugar and water to 220°F (100°C) to make a syrup.
- Heat the remaining milk until just below boiling. Gradually mix the hot milk into the flour paste.
- Slowly stream in the sugar syrup while whisking. Add vanilla bean seeds.
- Whisk in egg yolks carefully and strain the mixture to remove lumps.
Assembly and Baking:
- Preheat the oven to 550°F (290°C) with baking stones in place for at least an hour.
- Slice the chilled dough log into portions and place cut-side down in muffin tins.
- Using moistened thumbs, press dough into thin shells with slightly raised edges.
- Fill each shell three-quarters full with custard mixture.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, monitoring for caramelization on top.
Notes
- Dough Chilling: Keeping the dough chilled between steps is essential for maintaining the integrity of the butter layers, which result in the crisp, flaky texture.
- Custard Precision: Use an instant-read thermometer for the sugar syrup to ensure accuracy, as this directly affects the custard’s texture.
- Baking Setup: Preheating the oven and using baking stones replicate professional conditions, ensuring even heat distribution for caramelization.
- Serving Tip: Portuguese custard tarts are best enjoyed warm, about 20 minutes after baking, to appreciate the contrast between the crispy pastry and silky custard.