Classic English Egg Custard Tart Recipe

Written by
Elaine Lemm
Elaine Lemm is a renowned British food writer, classically trained chef, teacher, and author with over 25 years of experience writing about British food and cooking.
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Elaine Lemm
Updated 09/02/19
An egg custard tart

Elaine Lemm
  • Total: 60 mins
  • Prep: 30 mins
  • Cook: 30 mins
  • Yield: Serves 6
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving)
338 Calories
25g Fat
22g Carbs
7g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: Serves 6
Amount per serving
Calories 338
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 25g 32%
Saturated Fat 14g 68%
Cholesterol 204mg 68%
Sodium 349mg 15%
Total Carbohydrate 22g 8%
Dietary Fiber 1g 4%
Protein 7g
Calcium 72mg 6%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Baked Egg Custard Tart is an all-time classic British tart which handsomely works as either a tea time treat or a pudding and for many brings back many childhood memories.
A Baked Egg Custard Tart is so quick and easy to make and is delicious eaten slightly warm, with a delicately wobbly center or left to go cold when the tart is more firm.

The tart can be served as part of afternoon tea, simply with a cup of tea or coffee and also makes a lovely pudding. If you are in a hurry, use ready-made sweet pastry.
Often called an Egg Custard but you will also hear it called a Custard Tart, Custard Pie, or Baked Egg Custard. They all mean the same thing, a great treat.

Ingredients

  • 150g (1 1/2 cups) plain flour
  • 75g (3oz) butter or an equal mix of butter and lard, cubed
  • Pinch of salt
  • 2 to 3 tablespoon cold water
  • 3 large eggs, plus 2 large egg yolks, lightly beaten
  • 55 g (1/3 cup) caster sugar
  • 570 m1 (2 1/2 cups) single or light cream
  • Optional: 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract 
  • 1/2 teaspoon whole nutmeg, freshly grated

Steps to Make It

  1. Heat the oven to 425 F/220 C/Gas 7

  2. Place the flour, butter, and salt into a large, clean bowl. Rub the butter into the flour with your fingertips until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs, working as quickly as possible to prevent the dough from becoming warm.

  3. Add the very cold water to the mixture and using a cold knife stir until the dough binds together, add more water a teaspoon at a time if the mixture is too dry. Wrap the dough in clingfilm and chill for a minimum of 15 minutes, up to 30 minutes.

  4. Gently roll the pastry and line a 1 1/2"/4 cm deep, x 7"/18 cm base tart tin. Be careful not to overstretch the pastry while rolling or it may crack in the oven. Brush the pastry all over with a little of the beaten egg; this will help seal the pastry during cooking. 

  5. Place the pastry in the fridge while you make the filling.

  6. In a large bowl beat the eggs and egg yolks lightly with the sugar.

  7. Warm the cream to a gentle simmer, then pour the cream slowly over the beaten eggs, stirring constantly. Be careful not to overheat the cream, or it will curdle the eggs. Add the vanilla extract if you are using.

  8. Pour the egg and cream mixture through a sieve into the pastry case. Sprinkle with the grated nutmeg making a generous, even layer. 

  9. Place the tart onto a baking sheet and bake in the center of the preheated oven for 10 minutes to brown the pastry. Lower the temperature to 350 F/180 C/Gas 4 and continue cooking for a further 20 minutes or until the custard is almost set; it should still wobble ever so slightly indicating it is cooked. It will firm up even more as it cools so be careful not to overcook.

  10. Serve slightly warm or leave to go cold but not fridge cold—store in an airtight tin but never the fridge. 

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