Portuguese Vanilla Cream Pastries (Pastéis de Nata)
recipe

These delicious vanilla cream pastries are a traditional Portuguese treat that originated in the 18th century. They are made with flaky pastry and filled with a silky vanilla custard.
Preparation Time: 1 hour
Serving Size: 12 pastries

Ingredients:

- 250 g puff pastry
- 4 egg yolks
- 300 ml milk
- 200 g sugar
- 1 vanilla bean (or 1 tsp vanilla extract)
- 30 g cornstarch
- 1 cinnamon stick
- Zest of 1 lemon (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 220°C (200°C for fan oven).
2. Roll out the puff pastry into a thin sheet and cut out circles that fit into a muffin tin. Place the pastry in the bottoms and up the sides of the muffin cups.
3. In a saucepan, heat the milk, sugar, cinnamon stick, and vanilla bean (or vanilla extract) over low heat. Let it simmer for 5–10 minutes.
4. In a bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and cornstarch. Gradually add the hot milk mixture while stirring continuously.
5. Strain the mixture back into the saucepan and heat over low until it thickens. Remove the cinnamon stick and vanilla bean.
6. Pour the vanilla cream into the pastry shells, filling them about 3/4 full.
7. Bake in the middle of the oven for about 15–20 minutes, until the pastries are golden brown and beautifully baked on top.
8. Allow to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy warm or at room temperature.
Nutritional Information per pastry:
Energy: 180 kcal
Protein: 3 g
Carbohydrates: 20 g
Fat: 9 g
Sugar: 10 g

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