Egg Tarts (Dan Tat, 蛋挞) are delicate, buttery pastries filled with a smooth, silky egg custard, making them a beloved Cantonese dessert. Inspired by Portuguese pastéis de nata, these tarts are a staple in dim sum restaurants and bakeries, adored for their crispy, flaky crust and sweet, creamy custard filling.

Perfect for afternoon tea, dessert, or snacks, egg tarts are simple yet elegant, offering a perfect balance of texture and flavor.

📝 Ingredients (Makes 12 tarts)

For the Pastry Crust:

200g all-purpose flour

100g unsalted butter, chilled and diced

50g icing sugar

1 egg, beaten

1–2 tbsp cold water


For the Egg Custard Filling:

3 eggs

150ml milk

100g sugar

½ tsp vanilla extract

🔥 Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Pastry Crust

In a bowl, mix flour and icing sugar.

Add chilled butter and rub into the flour until it resembles breadcrumbs.

Add beaten egg and mix until a dough forms. Add cold water gradually if needed.

Wrap dough in plastic wrap and chill for 30 minutes.

Step 2: Prepare the Custard Filling

In a bowl, whisk eggs and sugar until sugar dissolves.

Heat milk gently and pour into the egg mixture, stirring constantly.

Add vanilla extract. Strain the mixture through a sieve for a smooth custard.

Let cool slightly.

Step 3: Assemble the Tarts

Preheat oven to 200°C (390°F).

Roll out the pastry dough and cut into circles to fit tart molds.

Press dough into tart tins, trimming excess edges.

Pour custard mixture into each tart shell, filling about 80% full.

Step 4: Bake

Bake in preheated oven for 20–25 minutes until the custard is set and the pastry is golden brown.

For a slightly caramelized top, increase oven temperature to 220°C (430°F) for the last 3–5 minutes.

Step 5: Serve

Let tarts cool slightly before removing from tins.

Serve warm or at room temperature.

🌿 Tips & Variations

Pastry: You can use shortcrust pastry or puff pastry for different textures.

Custard: Straining ensures a silky, smooth filling.

Baking: Keep an eye on the oven for a golden crust and perfectly set custard.

Flavor Variations: Add a touch of lemon zest or almond extract for subtle flavor changes.

🍚 Serving & Experience

Egg Tarts are buttery, crisp, and filled with silky sweet custard. Every bite delivers a perfect balance of texture and flavor, making them a timeless dim sum dessert.

Ideal for afternoon tea, festive occasions, or a delightful treat, these tarts showcase the elegance and simplicity of Cantonese pastry artistry.