Coffee Custard Tart with Shortcrust Pastry
A smooth coffee-infused custard nestled in a buttery shortcrust shell, perfect for an elegant Australian dessert. This australian-inspired desserts ready in about 75 minutes layers (160 g) plain flour, chilled and diced 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 320 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 1/4 cups (160 g) plain flour
- 100 g, chilled and diced unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp icing sugar
- 1 egg yolk
- 2 tbsp cold water
- 1 cup (240 ml) milk
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) heavy cream
- 2 tsp instant coffee granules
- 1/2 cup (100 g) caster sugar
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 3 egg yolks
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: To make the pastry, combine 1 1/4 cups plain flour and 2 tbsp icing sugar in a bowl. Rub in 100 g chilled diced unsalted butter with fingertips until mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.
- Step 2: Stir in 1 egg yolk and 2 tbsp cold water to form a dough. Wrap in cling film and chill for 30 minutes.
- Step 3: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Roll out chilled dough on a floured surface to fit a 9-inch tart tin. Press into tin and trim edges. Line with baking paper and fill with baking weights or dried beans. Bake blind for 15 minutes, then remove weights and bake 5 minutes more until lightly golden.
- Step 4: For the filling, heat 1 cup milk, 1/2 cup heavy cream, and 2 tsp instant coffee granules in a saucepan over medium heat until steaming.
- Step 5: In a bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup caster sugar, 2 tbsp cornstarch, 3 egg yolks, and 1 tsp vanilla extract until smooth.
- Step 6: Slowly pour hot coffee milk mixture into egg mixture, whisking constantly. Return to saucepan and cook over medium-low heat, stirring continuously until thickened and custard coats the back of a spoon.
- Step 7: Pour custard into the baked tart shell and refrigerate for at least 3 hours until set before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Coffee Custard Tart with Shortcrust Pastry take to make?
Total time is about 75 minutes (45 min prep + 30 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 Coffee Custard Tart with Shortcrust 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 Coffee Custard Tart with Shortcrust 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 Coffee Custard Tart with Shortcrust Pastry 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 Coffee Custard Tart with Shortcrust Pastry?
Australian 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.
