Catalan Cream Tartlets Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 sheet puff pastry
• 4 egg yolks
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cinnamon stick
• Lemon zest (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Roll out the puff pastry sheet and cut 12 circles using a cookie cutter or the rim of a glass.
3. Place each circle in a muffin tin, pressing gently to make sure the dough is snug against the tin.
4. Pierce the bottom of each tartlet a few times with a fork so they don’t puff up too much.
5. Bake the pastry shells for about 12-15 minutes, until golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow them to cool completely.
6. In a saucepan, combine the milk, cream, cinnamon stick, and lemon zest (if using). Heat until just simmering.
7. In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and sugar until pale and creamy.
8. Once the milk and cream mixture is simmering, remove the cinnamon stick and slowly pour the hot mixture over the egg yolk mixture, whisking continuously.
9. Return the mixture to the saucepan and stir over low heat until the mixture thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
10. Remove from heat and add the vanilla extract.
11. Fill each cooled pastry shell with the cream mixture.
12. Refrigerate the tartlets for at least 3 hours, or until the filling is set.
13. Serve chilled, with a dusting of powdered sugar and a sprinkle of ground cinnamon if desired.

Verdict:

These Catalan Cream Tartlets have a perfect combination of sweet cream filling and flaky, buttery puff pastry. They are easy to make and transport, making them a great choice for a party or special occasion.

Serving Suggestions:

To add some extra flavor and crunch, top each tartlet with a dollop of whipped cream and some chopped pistachios or almonds. You could also serve them with fresh seasonal fruit on the side, such as sliced strawberries or raspberries, to balance out the richness of the cream.