Cantonese Egg Custard Tartlets with Flaky Pastry

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Miniature tartlets with a velvety smooth egg custard filling nestled in crisp, buttery pastry shells, a classic Cantonese dim sum dessert. This chinese-inspired desserts ready in about 67 minutes layers all-purpose flour, cold and cubed unsalted butter, icing sugar into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 210 calories and feeds 6, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 45 min Cook: 22 min Serves 6 Chinese cuisine 210 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). To make pastry, combine 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour with 2 tbsp icing sugar in a bowl, then cut in 6 tbsp cold cubed unsalted butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
  2. Step 2: Gradually add 3 tbsp cold water, mixing gently to form a dough; wrap in plastic and chill for 30 minutes.
  3. Step 3: Roll out dough on a floured surface to 1/8-inch thickness; cut into circles slightly larger than your tartlet pans (about 3-inch diameter), and press into the pans.
  4. Step 4: In a mixing bowl, whisk 3 large eggs, 1/3 cup granulated sugar until smooth; add 1/2 cup whole milk, 1/4 cup evaporated milk, and 1 tsp vanilla extract; strain the custard to ensure smoothness.
  5. Step 5: Pour custard evenly into tart shells about 3/4 full.
  6. Step 6: Bake for 20-22 minutes until the custard is just set with a slight jiggle and the pastry edges are golden brown.
  7. Step 7: Cool on wire rack for 10 minutes before removing from pans; serve warm or at room temperature.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Cantonese Egg Custard Tartlets with Flaky Pastry take to make?

Total time is about 67 minutes (45 min prep + 22 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.

How do I store leftover Cantonese Egg Custard Tartlets with Flaky Pastry?

Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.

Can I substitute ingredients in Cantonese Egg Custard Tartlets with Flaky Pastry?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Cantonese Egg Custard Tartlets with Flaky Pastry for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Cantonese Egg Custard Tartlets with Flaky Pastry?

Chinese desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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