South African Milk Tart -- Traditional Recipe

Name: South African Milk Tart -- Traditional
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 lb puff pastry, preferably made with butter (you might need more, so keep at hand); 4 cups milk; 1 cinnamon sticks or 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 4 tablespoons flour; 2 tablespoons cornflour, rounded; 8 tablespoons sugar; 1 teaspoon salt, small; 1 teaspoon vanilla; 4 tablespoons butter; 4 eggs, separated

Servings: persons

1
Roll out the pastry on a floured board until thinner.
2
Beat an extra egg -- not one of the 4 in the ingredient list -- in a small bowl.
3
Line 2 average-size or smaller pastry plates with the pastry, being careful not to strech it. Crimp edges, paint with the egg, and put in fridge to keep cold.
4
Heat oven to 400 deg F/200 deg Celsius.
5
Heat 3 of the cups of milk with the cinnamon. If using stick cinnamon, take it out when milk is hot (not boiling).
6
Mix the flour, cornflour, salt and 4 tablespoons of the sugar with the extra cup of milk in another pot. Add the hot milk to this mixture, and keep whisking to prevent lumps forming.
7
Bring to a slow boil while stirring or whisking, add vanilla, keep stirring.
8
Take from heat and add the butter.
9
Whisk the egg whites until stiff, add the rest of the sugar (4 tblsp) and whisk until really firm and glossy.
10
Now whisk the egg yolks well, and add to the cooled milk mixture: you don't want boiled eggs!
11
Fold in egg whites; use a whisk to incorporate them.
12
Pour into the 2 lined pastry plates.
13
Bake in the pre-heated oven: 10 mins at heat given above, then lower heat to 350 deg F/180 deg Celsius.
14
Bake until puffed up and golden brown on top -- about 20+ minutes extra.
15
When they come out of the oven you can sprinkle the tops with a cinnamon-sugar mixture.
16
The milk tarts will fall again, which is normal. Best served still slightly warm, but can be made ahead, cooled and refrigerated. Always serve at room temperature or warm in oven again.

1469

kcal

Calories

121

Fat

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Preheat the oven fully and bake on the middle rack for the most even results.
Check for doneness a few minutes early — a toothpick in the center should come out with just a few moist crumbs.
Let it cool before slicing so it sets properly and holds its shape.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Use a neutral oil or a plant-based spread in place of butter for a dairy-free version.
Brown sugar instead of white sugar adds a deeper, more caramel-like flavor.
A good 1:1 gluten-free flour blend works well if you need a gluten-free version.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

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How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 10 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 1 lb puff pastry, preferably made with butter (you might need more, so keep at hand), 4 cups milk, 1 cinnamon sticks or 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 4 tablespoons flour, and more.

Yes, South African Milk Tart -- Traditional falls under the Baking & Desserts category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3–5 days. For longer storage, freeze for up to 3 months — no need to refrigerate or reheat.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

South African Milk Tart -- Traditional

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions