This custard tart recipe is, quite possibly, one of the most joyful desserts ever invented. The subtle hint of thyme sits beautifully beside the tangy fruit. A winner.
Ingredients
- 2 large free-range eggs, plus 3 yolks
- 125g caster sugar
- 1 vanilla pod, seeds scraped
- 2 tsp cornflour
- 600ml double cream
- 5 fresh thyme sprigs
- 120g fresh raspberries, plus extra to garnish
For the pastry
- 100g unsalted butter
- 100g caster sugar
- 3 large free-range egg yolks
- 200g plain flour, plus extra for dusting
- Pinch of salt
Method
- 1. Make the pastry. Beat the butter and sugar together until fluffy, then gradually beat in the egg yolks. Add the flour and salt and mix until you can form a dough. Knead briefly, shape into a ball, wrap in cling film and chill for at least 10 minutes.
- 2. Preheat the oven to 200°C/fan180°C/gas 6. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the pastry to the thickness of a 50p coin and use to line a deep (3cm), 23cm fluted tart tin. Prick the base all over with a fork and line with baking paper. Fill with baking beans or rice. Place on a baking sheet and blind-bake in the oven for 10 minutes. Remove the beans/rice and paper and return to the oven for a further 5 minutes until the pastry is lightly golden and crisp.
- 3. Whisk the eggs, egg yolks, sugar, vanilla seeds and cornflour together in a bowl. In a clean pan, heat the cream with 3 of the thyme sprigs until almost boiling, then pour over the egg mixture. Stir to make a custard.
- 4. Reduce the oven temperature to 180°C/fan160°C/gas 4. Strain the custard into the pastry case and sprinkle over the raspberries and the remaining thyme sprigs, leaves stripped or broken into pieces. Bake for 25-30 minutes until lightly set.
- 5. Leave to cool slightly, then remove from the tin. Serve warm or at room temperature, garnished with a few extra raspberries.
Nutritional info
Per serving (based on 10): 593kcals, 45.7g fat (26.8g saturated), 6.6g protein, 41.7g carbs,
24.3g sugar, 0.2g salt
Chef's tip
To freeze: place the uncooked ball of pastry, wrapped in cling film, then foil, in the freezer for up to 3 months. Defrost fully, then continue.