Photo of Staff Bona

Is it feeling like a ‘less is more’ Christmas? Try these easy no-bake vanilla milk tart cups

End your meal with a no-bake milk tart, a lighter version of the traditional favourite. For a special touch, use a vanilla pod instead of vanilla essence – you’ll love the difference!

No-Bake Vanilla Milk Tart Cups

PICTURE: SUPPLIED

Recipe by: Seven Colours Eatery’s Nolukhanyo Dube-Cele

SERVES: ± 6

Ingredients for the base

  • 200 g crushed biscuits
  • 100 g unsalted melted butter

Ingredients for the filling 

  • 2 cups milk
  • 30 ml cream
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • ½ cup of sugar
  • 2 tbsp melted butter
  • 3 tbsp cornstarch
  • 2 tbsp flour
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 vanilla pod
  • Ground cinnamon powder,
  • for sprinkling
  • Edible flowers (garnish)

Method for the base

  1. Place biscuits in a ziplock bag and crush them using a rolling pin.
  2. Decant crushed biscuits into a bowl and add the melted butter. Mix until evenly coated.
  3. Divide the biscuit crumbs evenly between 6 serving glasses or a large glass baking dish. Press down to make a crust.

Method for the filling

  1. In a pot, heat the milk and cream with the cinnamon stick over medium heat. Once it reaches a simmer, remove from the heat and allow the cinnamon to infuse for 5–10 minutes. Remove the cinnamon stick afterwards.
  2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the sugar, butter, cornstarch, flour and eggs until smooth.
  3. Slowly add the warm cinnamon milk to this mixture, whisking constantly to avoid lumps.
  4. Return the mixture to the pot and cook over medium heat, stirring continuously until it thickens about 5–7 minutes.
  5. Remove from heat and stir in the seeds from the vanilla pod.

Method for assembling the tarts

  1. Pour the thickened milk filling onto the cooled biscuit base.
  2. Allow the tart to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours until fully set.
  3. ONCE the tart is set, garnish with cinnamon powder and edible flowers.

 

Recipe and images supplied. Originally published for print in BONA Magazine 

Also see: A fool-proof Christmas gift guide: Presents to wow everyone this festive season

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