Milk Tart
Milk tart is a classic South African custard tart with a sweet pastry crust and a creamy egg-and-milk filling, made entirely in the Thermomix TM7. The appliance weighs the flour, kneads the pastry and gently heats the custard without lumps or burning, giving a silky centre every time.
About this recipe
Milk Tart with the Thermomix TM7 is the ultimate comforting dessert recipe for anyone who loves creamy baked custard in a buttery homemade pastry shell. This South African classic, also known as melktert, relies on gently heated milk thickened with eggs, sugar and plain flour, and that is precisely where an all-in-one kitchen machine shines. Instead of standing at the hob whisking custard and worrying about it catching, the TM7 heats and stirs the filling automatically until it reaches a velvety, lump-free consistency. The pastry comes together in seconds: butter, flour, sugar and a pinch of sea salt are weighed directly into the bowl and kneaded into a soft dough, while the blades make quick work of combining the eggs and baking powder mixture. Whether you are preparing a festive dessert, a weekend bake or a nostalgic treat for afternoon tea, these milk tart recipes deliver a wobbly centre and golden crust with remarkably little effort. Dust the finished tart with cinnamon sugar and serve it slightly chilled for the best texture.
Preparation tips
- Prick the pastry base with a fork and line it with baking paper and dried beans before blind baking, so the crust stays flat and crisp under the wet milk and egg custard filling.
- Warm the milk gently before combining it with the egg and flour mixture; a gradual tempering prevents the eggs from scrambling and guarantees a silky custard without any lumps.
- Let the tart cool completely at room temperature before slicing, then store it covered in the fridge; a dusting of cinnamon sugar just before serving keeps the surface dry and attractive.
Recipe variations
- Lactose-free version: replace the milk with lactose-free whole milk and use a plant-based margarine instead of unsalted butter; the custard sets almost identically thanks to the flour and egg thickening.
- Festive variation: add a strip of lemon zest or a pinch of nutmeg to the warmed milk, and finish with a generous swirl of cinnamon sugar for a celebratory version perfect for holidays and family gatherings.
Thermomix TM7 Benefits
- Directly weighing the plain flour and sugar in the mixing bowl saves dirtying a separate scale and keeps the pastry ratios exact.
- Gentle heating of the milk and egg mixture produces a silky, lump-free custard without the risk of burning on the hob.
- Kneading the butter and flour into a smooth pastry dough takes seconds, giving a tender tart base without sticky hands.
- The TM7 whips the eggs with the butterfly whisk until pale and airy, lightening the milk filling for a delicate wobble.
- Grinding sugar with a cinnamon stick creates fragrant fresh cinnamon sugar for dusting, far more aromatic than shop-bought blends.
Ingredients
- unsalted butter
- sugar
- plain flour
- medium egg
- baking powder
- fine sea salt
- plain flour
- sugar
- milk
- cornflour