Custard tart

Vanilla Cream Tart - A Delicacy with a Story

Discover a wonderful dessert that will transport you to a world of flavors and traditions with every bite. This vanilla cream tart recipe, inspired by a renowned dessert, combines a flaky crust with a fine, delicious cream that will delight your taste buds. No advanced cooking skills are needed to create this masterpiece, just a little patience and love for cooking.

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Baking time: 20 minutes
Total: 40 minutes
Servings: 12

Ingredients

For the pastry:
- 1 pack of 800 g of store-bought puff pastry (it is recommended to choose a high-quality pastry for a better result)

For the cream:
- 6 fresh egg yolks
- 350 g of liquid cream
- 200 g of sugar (you can adjust the amount to your taste)
- 2 tablespoons of cornstarch (helps thicken the cream)
- 2 packets of vanilla sugar (for extra flavor)
- 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon (optional, but recommended for a more complex taste)

Step 1: Preparing the Pastry

1. Thawing the Pastry: Take the pack of puff pastry out of the freezer about 30 minutes before you start. Let it thaw completely at room temperature.

2. Cutting Circles: On a clean surface, roll out the thawed pastry with a rolling pin to achieve an even thickness of about 3 mm. Use a glass or a round cutter the size of the tart molds to cut circles from the pastry.

3. Placing in Molds: Place each pastry circle into the round tart molds. Make sure the pastry covers the walls of the mold well. If you have leftover pastry, you can use it to cut smaller shapes or other desserts.

4. Refrigerating: Once you have filled the molds, place them in the fridge for 5 minutes. This step is important to prevent the pastry from deforming during baking.

Step 2: Baking the Pastry

1. Preheating the Oven: While the pastry cools, preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius. This is the ideal temperature for achieving a golden and crispy crust.

2. Baking: Place the pastry molds in the preheated oven and bake for 10 minutes or until the pastry turns lightly golden. Check occasionally to avoid burning.

Step 3: Preparing the Cream

1. Mixing Ingredients: In a bowl, mix the cornstarch with half of the liquid cream. This will help dissolve the cornstarch and prevent lumps from forming.

2. Adding Sugar: Add 50 g of sugar and the remaining liquid cream to the mixture. Use a mixer to combine the ingredients until the sugar is fully dissolved.

3. Incorporating the Egg Yolks: In another bowl, beat the egg yolks with the remaining sugar, vanilla sugar, and cinnamon. Mix well until the mixture becomes creamy.

4. Combining the Mixtures: Pour the cream mixture into the bowl with the egg yolks and mix well. This is the secret to the fine and aromatic cream.

Step 4: Filling and Baking the Tarts

1. Filling the Molds: Once the pastry is baked and has started to cool, take it out of the oven and fill each tart with the prepared cream.

2. Final Baking: Put the tarts with the filled cream back in the oven for another 10 minutes or until the cream turns golden on top. This will give an appetizing appearance and intensify the flavors.

Step 5: Cooling and Serving

1. Cooling: Let the tarts cool completely at room temperature. This step is essential to allow the cream to stabilize.

2. Decorating: Once cooled, carefully remove them from the molds and dust with powdered sugar before serving. This detail will add an elegant touch and provide a pleasant contrast with the cream.

Serving and Customization

These tarts are ideal for serving at a festive meal or as a delicious dessert after dinner. You can accompany them with a glass of sweet wine or a cup of aromatic coffee. If you want to try a customized version, add some fresh berries on top or a little grated chocolate to enhance the flavor.

Nutritional Information

Each serving of tart contains approximately 280 calories, and the ingredients provide a good source of protein from the egg yolks and healthy fats from the cream. Cinnamon not only adds a unique taste but also offers antioxidant benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use homemade puff pastry? Yes, if you have the time and skills, homemade puff pastry will add an extra flavor.

2. How can I store the tarts? They are best stored in the fridge, covered with plastic wrap, and consumed within 3 days.

3. Can I replace the cream with another ingredient? You can try sour cream or Greek yogurt for a healthier option, but the texture will be different.

4. What other flavors can I add to the cream? You can experiment with flavors like orange, lemon, or even a hint of rum for a more exotic taste.

This vanilla cream tart recipe is not only easy to prepare but also a wonderful way to bring a touch of joy into your life or the lives of your loved ones. Whether you make it for a special occasion or simply to indulge yourself, the taste will always be unforgettable. Enjoy!