Homemade Hong Kong-style egg tarts

There are generally two main types of egg tarts: Hong Kong-style egg tarts and Portuguese-style egg tarts. Depending on personal taste preferences, egg tarts come in a variety of styles. Hong Kong-style egg tarts, also known as puff pastry egg tarts, use a pastry crust made with butter and flour. They are particularly popular in Hong Kong, hence the name. Nowadays, you can find Hong Kong-style egg tarts in bakeries of all sizes.

6 Reviews
6 Comments
POSTED:02/07/2024
Level:Medium
Yield:2-3 servings
Total:1 hr 35 min
(includes chilling time)
Active:10 min

Hong Kong-style egg tarts are known for their crispy pastry crust and rich, sweet custard filling. For baking enthusiasts, learning to make them can be a rewarding experience. Sharing these tarts with family and friends allows everyone to enjoy the perfect balance of sweetness and the joy of life together. So, here I would like to share with you the recipe for Hong Kong-style egg tarts.


1.What is Hong Kong-style egg tart?

Hong Kong-style egg tart consists of pastry and egg custard filling. The main ingredients for the pastry and custard include butter, milk, eggs, flour, and more. Due to the variety of ingredients used in making an egg tart, it also contains certain nutritional components. There are two main types of pastry for Hong Kong-style egg tarts: puff pastry, similar to Portuguese-style egg tarts; and butter pastry, which requires a significant amount of butter, giving it a cookie-like flavor.


2.What are the differences between Hong Kong-style egg tarts and Portuguese-style egg tarts?

①Initially, Hong Kong-style egg tarts were similar to the Cantonese dessert "steamed egg", but over time, they have evolved beyond this. Innovations such as durian egg tarts, mango sago egg tarts, ginger red date egg tarts, and other creative flavors have become quite popular. On the other hand, baked Portuguese-style egg tarts from Macau are characterized by their brown-black caramelized top, offering a rich and creamy custard filling that resembles caramel pudding in texture.

②Common Hong Kong-style egg tarts have two types of pastry: puff pastry and butter pastry (cookie pastry). Macau-style Portuguese egg tarts also use puff pastry for their crust. However, unlike the puff pastry used in Hong Kong-style egg tarts, the puff pastry in Macau-style Portuguese egg tarts is made using a butter puff pastry method.


3.Do Hong Kong-style egg tarts have an eggy taste?

High-quality egg tarts have a smooth and glossy filling with a silky texture. They combine sweetness with the flavors of egg and butter, complementing each other well.


4.How to store Hong Kong-style egg tarts?

Hong Kong-style egg tarts are best enjoyed fresh when they are crispy and have the best flavor. If you have leftovers, wrap them tightly with plastic wrap and store them in the refrigerator. They should be fine for about three to four days. When reheating the next day, you can briefly reheat them in the oven to restore their crispiness.


5.If egg tart pastry smells sour, what could be the reason?

Egg tart pastry is made from ingredients like flour and eggs. If it smells sour when eaten, it could be due to toxins produced when the pastry comes into contact with oxygen. Therefore, it's not recommended to consume it. Even a slight sour taste in egg tart pastry typically indicates it has been stored for too long and has spoiled.


Having a sip of Hong Kong-style milk tea and then enjoying a fresh and delicious egg tart is a super classic way to enjoy afternoon tea in Hong Kong. Next, I'll introduce the method of making egg tarts so that you can enjoy restaurant-quality egg tarts at home.

INGREDIENTS

MAIN INGREDIENTS

  • Four eggs
  • 200g low-gluten flour

ACCESSORIES

  • 100g butter
  • 80g sugar
  • 80ml warm water
  • 150ml milk

DIRECTIONS

STEP 1

Prepare the ingredients. Soften the butter and mix thoroughly with all-purpose flour and sugar. Beat one egg and add it to the dough, continue kneading until well combined. Wrap the dough and refrigerate it for 1 hour.

Recipe: Soften butter, mix with flour and sugar. Add egg, knead, refrigerate 1 hour.

STEP 2

Beat the remaining egg, pour in the milk. Dissolve sugar in warm water, then pour into the beaten egg mixture and stir until well blended.

Recipe tip: Beat egg, add milk, dissolve sugar in warm water, pour into mixture and blend.

STEP 3

Strain the beaten egg mixture. Aim for a visibly smooth consistency.

Tip:

Straining the egg mixture helps remove fibers from the egg whites and particles from the yolks, resulting in a smoother texture and better mouthfeel.

Strain beaten egg mixture for a smoother texture; remove fibers and particles.

STEP 4

Take out the dough, divide it into small pieces, and roll each into a round shape. Press from the center of each tart mold outward until the dough covers the base evenly, trimming off any excess. Pour in the egg mixture, filling each tart about 90% full. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius and bake for 25 minutes.

Tip:

Every oven varies in power, so adjust the baking time according to your own oven. To check if the custard inside is fully set, insert a toothpick—if it comes out clean, it's done.

Divide dough, shape into rounds, press into molds, fill with egg mixture, bake at 180C for 25 mins. Adjust baking time for your oven.

STEP 5

Once baked, remove and let them cool slightly before serving.

Cool slightly after baking before serving.

Recipe analyzer

  • Recipes: Homemade Hong Kong-style egg tarts
  • Main Ingredients:6
  • Servings per recipe:1
  • Servings size:786 g
Nutritional Summary of Recipe
Amount per 786 g= 1 serving(s)
  • Energy (calories):2121 kcal
    97%
  • Protein:118.7 g
    217%
  • Fat:120.55 g Why gray?
    248%
  • Carbohydrates:158.17 g
    64%
Calorie breakdown
  • Protein: 20%
    435 kcal
  • Fat: 50%
    1057 kcal
  • Carbohydrates: 30%
    629 kcal
The chart shows the percentage of calories intake (energy) coming from the respective macronutrients (fats, protein and carbohydrates).
Omega 6 : Omega 3
1:1
20:1
9:1
Both fatty acids are essential, but nowadays the majority of western diets include excessive amounts of Omega 6 acid.

The ratio shows whether the proportion of both fatty acids in your diet is optimal. Red color means too much of Omega 6 or too little of Omega 3. The data are rounded off and approximate.

6 REVIEWS

Review
Your rating:
FlavorFusionGustoOctober 02, 2024

Can I use margarine instead of butter?
reply:
October 05, 2024
Yes, margarine can be used as a substitute for butter. However, it may affect the flavor and texture slightly.
SavorySnackJourneySeptember 21, 2024

I love how easy this recipe is to follow, and the results are fantastic. The tarts turn out beautifully every time!
GourmetGustoFiestaSeptember 12, 2024

These tarts are delicious! The custard is perfectly creamy and the crust is just right.
DavidJuly 23, 2024

This tutorial allowed me to make an authentic Hong Kong egg tart at home, with a top-notch crispy crust and filling!
Jack.anJuly 03, 2024

Hi, I have some tart failures to ask you. First of all, I baked the tart crust and put it in a sealed box and prepared the egg wash the next day. I poured the egg wash into the tart and put it into the preheated oven, the egg wash became like tofu crumbs and then the egg wash became less and less and the tart crust was also soft after baking. Oven temperature 150-160 degrees.
anniJuly 03, 2024

If the top of the tart is burnt badly is the temperature high? It's all step by step
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