Go Back
–+ servings
Freshly baked Portuguese custard tarts with golden caramelized tops cooling on a white kitchen table, photographed from above in natural light.

Portuguese Custard Tarts

Authentic Portuguese custard tarts with flaky puff pastry and creamy caramelized custard filling – a classic Lisbon dessert made easy at home.
Print Pin
Course: Dessert, Pastry
Cuisine: European, Portuguese
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Chill Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 12 tarts
Calories: 240kcal
Cost: $8–10

Equipment

  • 1 Muffin tin or tart mold For shaping and baking the tarts
  • 1 Rolling pin To roll out the puff pastry
  • 1 Saucepan To cook the custard mixture
  • 1 Whisk For smooth, lump-free custard
  • 1 Fine-mesh sieve To strain custard for silky texture
  • 1 set Measuring cups and spoons Accurate ingredient measurement
  • 1 Pastry brush Optional – for greasing or egg wash
  • 2 Mixing bowls For pastry and custard prep

Ingredients

Pastry

  • 2 sheets Puff pastry Thawed and chilled

Custard

  • 1 cup Heavy cream Full-fat for richness
  • 1 cup Whole milk Warmed
  • 0.75 cup Granulated sugar White sugar
  • 5 large Egg yolks Room temperature
  • 2 tablespoon All-purpose flour For thickening
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract Or use a vanilla bean
  • 1 teaspoon Lemon zest Freshly grated
  • 0.5 teaspoon Cinnamon Plus more for dusting
  • 0.125 teaspoon Salt To balance sweetness

Instructions

  • Roll and cut puff pastry; press into muffin tins and chill.
  • Mix flour and a portion of the milk until smooth.
  • Warm remaining milk, cream, sugar, lemon zest, and vanilla.
  • Slowly whisk the hot mixture into the flour mixture.
  • Return mixture to saucepan and cook until thickened.
  • Whisk in egg yolks one at a time.
  • Strain custard through a fine-mesh sieve for smooth texture.
  • Fill pastry shells ¾ full and bake at high heat until caramelized on top.
  • Let cool, then dust with cinnamon and sugar before serving.

Notes

For best results, use a very hot oven and chill the dough before baking. Leftovers can be reheated to crisp them up again!

Nutrition

Serving: 85g | Calories: 240kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 125mg | Sodium: 95mg | Potassium: 90mg | Fiber: 0.5g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 500IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 60mg | Iron: 1mg