Cantonese-Style Egg Tartlets with Buttery Shortcrust
Mini egg tartlets featuring a flaky buttery crust filled with a silky, lightly sweetened egg custard, a beloved Cantonese dim sum dessert. This chinese-inspired desserts ready in about 65 minutes layers all-purpose flour, tablespoons powdered sugar, large egg yolk 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 8, 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.
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 6 tablespoons, cold and cubed unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1 large egg yolk
- 2 tablespoons cold water
- 2 large whole eggs
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup evaporated milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons hot water
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large bowl, combine 1 cup all-purpose flour and 2 tablespoons powdered sugar. Cut in 6 tablespoons cold cubed unsalted butter with a pastry blender or fingers until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Step 2: Add 1 large egg yolk and 2 tablespoons cold water to the flour mixture. Mix gently until dough comes together. Form into a disc, wrap in plastic, and chill for 30 minutes.
- Step 3: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to 1/8-inch thickness. Cut into 3-inch circles and press into mini tartlet pans or muffin tins. Prick bottoms with a fork and chill for 10 minutes.
- Step 4: In a small bowl, whisk 2 large whole eggs with 1/3 cup granulated sugar until sugar dissolves. Stir in 1/3 cup evaporated milk, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 2 tablespoons hot water. Strain the custard through a fine sieve to ensure smoothness.
- Step 5: Pour custard gently into each tart shell about 3/4 full. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 18-20 minutes until crusts are golden and custard is set but still jiggles slightly.
- Step 6: Remove from oven and cool on a wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature to enjoy the tender, silky texture.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Cantonese-Style Egg Tartlets with Buttery Shortcrust take to make?
Total time is about 65 minutes (45 min prep + 20 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-Style Egg Tartlets with Buttery Shortcrust?
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-Style Egg Tartlets with Buttery Shortcrust?
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-Style Egg Tartlets with Buttery Shortcrust for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). 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-Style Egg Tartlets with Buttery Shortcrust?
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.
