Description
A polished dessert with a buttery tart shell, silky vanilla custard filling, and a crisp caramelized sugar topping.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon fine salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1 large egg yolk for the crust
- 1 to 2 tablespoons ice water
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 5 large egg yolks for the custard
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste
- 3 tablespoons superfine sugar for topping
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and place a baking sheet on the middle rack.
- Mix the flour, powdered sugar, and salt in a bowl.
- Cut in the cold butter until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs.
- Stir in 1 egg yolk and just enough ice water to form a soft dough.
- Roll the dough into a circle, fit it into a 9-inch tart pan, and chill for 20 minutes.
- Line the crust with parchment, fill with pie weights, and bake for 15 minutes.
- Remove the weights and bake for 8 to 10 more minutes, until lightly golden.
- Lower the oven to 325°F.
- Warm the heavy cream and whole milk in a saucepan until steaming.
- Whisk the granulated sugar, 5 egg yolks, cornstarch, and vanilla bean paste in a bowl.
- Slowly whisk the warm cream mixture into the egg mixture.
- Strain the custard into the baked tart shell.
- Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, until the edges are set and the center has a gentle wobble.
- Cool at room temperature, then chill for at least 4 hours.
- Sprinkle the superfine sugar evenly over the chilled tart.
- Caramelize the sugar with a kitchen torch until golden and glassy.
- Let the topping set for 2 minutes, then slice and serve chilled.
Notes
- Strain the custard for the smoothest filling.
- Brûlée the sugar topping shortly before serving for the best crisp texture.
- Use a warm, clean knife for neat slices.
- Chilling time is 4 hours and is not included in the active total time.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 365
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 70mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 210mg
Keywords: crème brûlée tart, vanilla custard tart, caramelized sugar dessert, French dessert, elegant tart recipe