What is the difference between custard tart and flan?

The flan can be compared to Portuguese pastel de nata or a British custard tart . It can be personalized by adding caramel, coconut, or even chocolate. Custard tarts or flans pâtissier are a baked pastry consisting of an outer pastry crust filled with egg custard.

How to cook custard apples?

Custard apples can also make a great savoury option and can be enjoyed as a sauce served alongside chicken, pork or fish. Chopped up, they can be used in a stir fry, chicken salad or vegetarian curry . They provide a lovely contrast to the salty or spicy flavours in savoury meals.

What is the real name of custard tarts?

Pastel de nata The typical appearance of the pastel de nata in Lisbon, Portugal Alternative names Pastel de Belém Pastries of Bethlehem 葡撻 (Cantonese) Variations egg tart, custard tart Food energy (per serving) c. 300 per 100 grams (3.5 oz) kcal Media: Pastel de nata 6 more rows

What is a custard tart called?

Pasteis de nata , or Portuguese custard tarts, with their signature flaky crust and sweet custard filling are world-famous, and incredibly delicious.

What is another name for a custard apple?

Cherimoya (Annona cherimola) is a green, cone-shaped fruit with leathery skin and creamy, sweet flesh. Thought to have originated in the Andes mountains of South America, it's grown in tropical areas with high altitudes ( 1 , 2 ). Due to its creamy texture, cherimoya is also known as custard apple.

Why is custard apple so good?

The custard fruit contains polyphenolic compounds that help to fight against certain chronic conditions, including cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular issues, and neurodegenerative conditions . Custard fruits also contain essential oils, which, when extracted, have antiparasitic and antimalarial properties.

What are the two types of custard apples?

Custard apples are cultivated in different varieties in the Pacific. The two most common are the soursop and sweet sop (Tropical Home Gardens, 1990). They are generally green in color. The fruits have white flesh with custard-like consistency and dark brown seeds.

Are custard and flan the same?

Flan can refer to two different things : either a baked custard dessert topped with caramel similar to the French crème caramel, or a tart-like sweet pastry with a filling called a fruit flan.

Is custard the same thing as flan?

Is flan the same as custard? Flan (also known as crème caramel) is a custard of sugar, milk, cream, and egg yolks, baked in a caramel-sauce-lined ramekin until soft and wiggly. All custards are egg based which would make flan a type of custard .

What's the difference between a tart and flan?

The croustade, crostata, galette, tarte tatin and turnovers are various types of pies and tarts. Flan, in Britain, is an open pastry or sponge case containing a sweet or savory filling .

What is the difference between flan and custard and crème brûlée?

The difference between crème brûlée and flan (two of our favorite kinds of custard) lies in four factors: the ratio of ingredients, the manner in which the custard is thickened, the method of cooking, and any additional components . Those extra components—different toppings and presentation—are easiest to see.

My Favorite Mini Apple Tart with Custard Recipe (2024)

Happy Fall and Happy Apple Season! Today, I have an incredible mini apple tart recipe for you. This apple tart filling has a creamy custard layer that elevates this dessert to a whole new level. I’m crazy about apples and I recently rounded up some pretty yummy desserts in my 11 apple tart recipe post.

Also, I love to experiment in the kitchen, and I was pleasantly surprised how this mini apple tart turned out. The fun thing about this recipe is that if you have a special dinner party with friends, you can make each person their individual serving size of this rustic apple tart recipe.

I’ve Fallen in Love with My Mini Apple Tart Recipe

*The following post contains affiliate links.

And if you love everything apples, check out my French Apple Tart Puff Pastry. This dessert is one of the most popular recipes on my blog.

This is how I cook my mini apple tarts

My secret weapon to baking my mini apple tarts is using cast iron pans. I have found that the cast iron pan creates an abundance of circulating heat and so the crust is quite crispy and not at all moist or gooey. Also, I did a little research, and it turns out that a well-seasoned cast-iron skillet has non stick qualities.

Here is a cool quote from Cook’s Illustrated about baking with cast iron pans:

A cast-iron skillet is far preferable to a flimsy disposable pie plate. It’s far sturdier, and

the heavy metal pan conducts heat much better than thin aluminum, which translates to better browning on the crust.

So, I bet about now you are wondering,

How do you make apple tarts?

Check out the recipe below. Don’t panic since it looks a bit complicated but, it seriously is only three layers. And once you’re done you’ll be glad you took the time to make them, since they are delish!

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5 from 4 votes

Apple Tart with Custard

This is a classic apple tart recipe with a delicious creamy custard. The cast-iron pans create an unbelievable crispy crust that is better than a classic apple pie.

Prep Time45 minutes mins

Cook Time30 minutes mins

20 minutes mins

Total Time1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Crust

2 cups all-purpose flour plus more for rolling out the dough
3 tbsp granulated sugar
1 tsp salt
14 tbsp unsalted butter chilled and cut into small pieces
3-4 tbsp cold water
2 tbsp butter melted butter for brushing crust before baking
2 tbsp raw sugar this is for sprinkling on the tart before baking

Apple Filling

3-4 Granny Smith apples Peel and core, sliced medium thickness
6 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp cornstarch
1 tbsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
4 tbsp butter
6 inch cast iron pans can use 3 - 6 1/2 inch cast iron pans or 6 - 3 1/2 inch cast iron pans

Vanilla Custard

1 1/4 cups heavy whipping cream Can subsitute with whole milk
1 2 inch Vanilla bean If you don't have a vanilla bean, add a teaspoon of vanilla extract
4 large egg yolks
1/4 cup sugar
1 large egg lightly whisked

Instructions

Crust

In a food processor, combine the flour, salt, and 2 tablespoons of the sugar.
Add the butter and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse meal.
Add cold water, 1 tablespoon at a time. I usually add 2 tablespoons of extra water.
Pulse until the dough comes together into a ball.
Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently.
Here's an optional step: shape the dough into a flattened ball and wrap with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes. I did skip this chill phase and the dough was still flakey and wonderful.
Place on a floured surface and roll the dough into a size larger than your cast iron pan.If the dough is too crumbly at this point, add another tablespoon of water to it and mix it in by hand.
Place the dough over your pan and allow the dough to hang over the edge. Don't worry if the crust looks a bit rustic.

Apple Filling

Peel and core apples. Slice in medium thickness
Melt 2 tablespoons butter in medium-size saucepan over medium-low heat.
Add prepared apples and saute until tender, about 10 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer apples to a bowl.
Combine the apples, sugar, cornstarch, and spices.
Mix until apples are thoroughly coated.

Vanilla Custard

Beat one egg in a small bowl and set aside.
Add the heavy cream to a sauce pan.
Cook over medium heat.
Scrape seeds from the vanilla bean into the cream.
Bring to a boil.
In another saucepan, beat the 4 egg yolks and sugar together.
See Also
Keto Mini Cheesecake Bites - Quick and Easy Recipe!
Gradually add the hot cream mixture intothe egg mixture and whisk thoroughly after each addition.
Stir over low heat until the mixture thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon, about 7 minutes. Do not boil.
Remove from heat and whisk in 1 whole egg.
Pour custard into crust.
Place apples over custard.

Creating the Tart

Now with you pan and crust, place the apples over the custard.
Dot the apples with the cubes of butter.
Gently fold the dough edges in toward the center.
Brush the top crust with the melted butter.
Generously sprinkle the raw sugar over the top.
Bake at 400 degrees for 30 minutes

Nutrition

Tried this recipe?Mention @happyhappynester or tag #happyhappynester!

I may have to try baking my Apple Dutch Baby recipe in my cast iron pans. This recipe is simply the best, and the spiced apples fill our kitchen with delicious scents in the morning.

If you make these mini apple tart recipe, be aware that you’ll have less custard and apples in this size pan. But, they do make the perfect size dessert when having guests over for a dinner party. This pan is 3 1/2 inches in diameter and is so adorable.

Just a little note, if you are tempted to make this recipe in anything but the cast iron pan, I would like to peruade you to stick to the cast iron. The crust is crispy and not soggy, just saying.

I might add that this cute mini apple tart is a real crowd pleaser for any dinner party. How do I know this? Well, my husband is obsessed with these little tarts, and I had to snap these photos quickly before he devoured them.

He loves any dessert with apples and pumpkins. And I just happen to have a copycat version of Starbuck’s Pumpkin bread recipe.

Finally, a big thank you goes to Krista from The Happy Housie for hosting this fantastic Fall Recipe Tour!

Cheers,

Today I’m excited to be joining a group of 25 other bloggers who are also sharing a fabulous fall recipe with you today! Hop around to see what other delicious ideas they’ve come up with…

Easiest Instant Pot Chicken Vegetable Bean Soup at The Happy Housie
Hearty Sausage Kale Soup at In My Own Style
Zuppa Toscana Soup at Somewhat Simple
Butternut Squash and Quinoa Chili at Town and Country Living
Gluten Free Gnocchi with Butternut Squash, Sausage and Arugula at Willow Street Interiors
Easy Vegan Cranberry Cream Cheese Loaf and Almond Crackers at Zevy Joy

Pumpkin Sugar Cookies at Jenna Kate at Home
Mini Lemon Cranberry Cakes with Ginger Drizzle at Sincerely Marie, Designs
Absolutely the Best Homemade Peach Coffee Cake at Home Made Lovely
Gluten Free Pumpkin Bread at Taryn Whiteaker Designs
Whole Wheat Pumpkin Crepes at TIDBITS Cami

Chocolate Pumpkin Cream Cheese Swirl Bars at Clean and Scentsible
Roasted Pumpkin Seeds at Finding Silver Pennies
Pumpkin Pie French Toast Bake at A Pretty Life
Salted Caramel Pumpkin Spice Latte at Hallstrom Home
Apple Cider Margarita at Rooms FOR Rent

Instant Pot Caramel Apple Cheesecake at TIDBITS Marci
Mini Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting at Satori Design for Living
Easiest Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cake at Inspiration for Moms
Whitney’s Pumpkin Muffins at Amber Tysl
Cream Cheese Caramel Apple Dip at The Turquoise Home

Old Fashioned Apple Crisp at Modern Glam
Pumpkin Pie and Cheesecake Popsicles at Paint Me Pink
Mini Apple Tart with Custard at Happy Happy Nester
Pumpkin Cream Puffs at Life is a Party
Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting at Nina Hendrick Design Co.

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Janine Waite

I named my blog Happy Happy Nester because I love everything related to the home. I’ve always enjoyed decorating my surroundings. Get cozy and stay for a bit, thanks for visiting!

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My Favorite Mini Apple Tart with Custard Recipe (2024)

I’ve Fallen in Love with My Mini Apple Tart Recipe

This is how I cook my mini apple tarts

How do you make apple tarts?

Apple Tart with Custard

Ingredients

Crust

Apple Filling

Vanilla Custard

Instructions

Crust

Apple Filling

Vanilla Custard

Creating the Tart

Nutrition

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FAQs

What is the difference between custard tart and flan? ›

What is the difference between flan and custard and crème brûlée? ›

The typical appearance of the pastel de nata in Lisbon, Portugal
Alternative names	Pastel de Belém Pastries of Bethlehem 葡撻 (Cantonese)
Variations	egg tart, custard tart
Food energy (per serving)	c. 300 per 100 grams (3.5 oz) kcal
Media: Pastel de nata