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Pasticciotti Italian Cream Filled Tarts

Pasticciotti Italian Cream Filled Tarts

Traditional Italian pastry tarts filled with creamy sweetness, a delightful dessert from Italian cuisine.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Dessert
Cuisine Italian
Servings 12

Equipment

  • Medium pot
  • - Muffin tin
  • Mixing Bowl

Ingredients
  

  • - 1¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • - 1 pinch salt use ¼ teaspoon if using unsalted butter
  • - ½ cup granulated sugar
  • - 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • - 1 large egg room temperature
  • - 1 large egg yolk room temperature
  • - ½ cup + 2 tablespoons butter 140 grams total, room temperature
  • Lemon Pastry Cream:
  • - ¾ cup whole milk
  • - ¾ cup whipping cream or heavy cream with at least 30% fat content
  • - 4 large egg yolks
  • - ½ cup sugar
  • - ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • - 2½ tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • - Peel from 1 or 2 lemons no white part
  • Egg Wash:
  • - 1 large egg
  • - 1-2 tablespoons water
  • - 1-2 tablespoons powdered sugar

Instructions
 

  • For Lemon Pastry Cream: Heat milk, cream, and lemon rind in a pot until very hot but not boiling. Remove from heat and let cool to warm. In a separate pot, whisk egg yolks and sugar, then add flour and vanilla. Gradually pour in warm milk/cream, whisking continuously. Cook over medium/low heat until thickened. Remove from heat, transfer to a bowl, cover with plastic wrap (touching the cream), and refrigerate for about 2 hours.
  • For Crostata Dough: Whisk together flour, salt, sugar, and baking powder in a large bowl. Make a well in the center and add egg, egg yolk, and cubed butter. Mix until dough just starts to come together. Knead on a lightly floured surface until soft, then wrap in plastic and refrigerate for 30-60 minutes.
  • Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease and flour a 12-medium muffin tin.
  • Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to 1/8-inch thickness. Cut out circles (approximately 3 1/2 inches/8 1/2 cm). Fit circles into the muffin pan, prick the bottom with a fork, and fill almost to the top with pastry cream.
  • Wet the rim of each tart, top with another dough circle, and seal by pressing with fingers. Brush the top of each tart with egg wash.
  • Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until golden brown. Let cool for 15 minutes in the muffin pan, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.

Notes

- Ensure the lemon pastry cream is chilled before using.
- Sealing the tarts with wet fingers helps prevent leakage during baking.
- Dusting with powdered sugar adds a sweet finishing touch.