Mini Milk Tart Tarts – Creamy, Sweet, and Perfectly Portion-Sized

Mini Milk Tart Tarts are a delightful twist on the classic South African dessert, offering creamy, sweet custard nestled in a crisp, buttery tart shell. These bite-sized treats are perfect for parties, afternoon tea, or whenever you crave a smooth and comforting dessert. Easy to make and irresistibly delicious, they bring all the nostalgic flavors of milk tart in a cute, portable form.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Classic Flavor – Silky milk custard with a hint of cinnamon and vanilla.
Perfect Portions – Mini tarts that are easy to serve and enjoy.
Simple & Quick – Made with basic ingredients and minimal fuss.
Great for Entertaining – Beautiful and bite-sized for any gathering.

Ingredients

For the crust:

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
• ¼ cup powdered sugar
• 1 egg yolk
• 1–2 tbsp cold water

For the filling:

• 2 cups milk
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 3 tbsp cornstarch
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon

Instructions

1. Prepare the Crust
   In a bowl, mix flour and powdered sugar. Cut in the cold butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add egg yolk and cold water, mixing until dough comes together. Chill dough for 30 minutes.
2. Preheat Oven & Prepare Tart Shells
   Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll out dough on a floured surface and cut into circles to fit mini tart pans or a mini muffin tin. Press dough into pans and prick bottoms with a fork.
3. Bake the Crusts
   Bake tart shells for 10–12 minutes or until lightly golden. Remove from oven and let cool.
4. Make the Filling
   In a saucepan, heat milk with half the sugar and cinnamon until warm. In a bowl, whisk eggs, remaining sugar, and cornstarch until smooth. Slowly pour hot milk into egg mixture, whisking constantly. Return mixture to saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring until thickened. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
5. Fill and Chill
   Pour the custard into the cooled tart shells. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours to set.
6. Serve
   Optionally, sprinkle with extra cinnamon before serving. Enjoy chilled.

Nutritional Information

Calories: ~130
Protein: 3g
Fat: 6g
Carbohydrates: 16g
Sugar: 10g
Fiber: 0.5g

Tips for Success

• Chill Dough Well – Helps prevent shrinking during baking.
• Don’t Overbake Crusts – Keep them light golden for a tender base.
• Stir Custard Constantly – Prevents lumps and burning.

Why This Recipe Works

The tender, buttery crust perfectly complements the smooth, creamy custard filling, enhanced by the warm notes of cinnamon and vanilla. Serving these in mini portions makes them fun to eat and share, while preserving the classic flavors of milk tart in an elegant bite.

Mini Milk Tart Tarts are a charming and delicious way to enjoy a beloved dessert in perfectly portioned servings. With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, this recipe is ideal for entertaining or a special treat any time.