Recipe: Egg Tarts (蛋挞)

I grew up eating egg tarts at Taipan Bakery. In Chinese, this dessert is called 蛋挞 ("dan ta"). There are several variations, including Portuguese Pastel de Nata. Today, I'll be sharing a recipe for Hong Kong style custard pies that should yield approximately 12-14 servings. 

Ingredients

• 4 eggs
• 1/4 cup evaporated milk
• 3/4 water
• 6 tablespoons of sugar
• pinch of salt
• vanilla
• dash of cinnamon
• puff pastry

1. Add 3/4 cup boiling water to 6 tablespoons of sugar and a pinch of salt. Mix thoroughly and then cool.

2. In a separate bowl, beat 4 eggs. Then, add 1/4 cup evaporated milk and the cooled sugar-salt mixture, followed by cinnamon and vanilla. 

3. Strain the entire mixture through a sieve.

4. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

5. Pour the filling mixture into the individual puff pastry tins. Bake for 30 minutes, or until golden-brown.