The bright spark in me decided that it would be wise to bake a milk tart (traditional South African recipe) yesterday afternoon. I seem to get these moods where I want to whip up something from scratch. It can be quite daunting if you read the instructions at first but the trick is to work through it step by step, do not rush it. I thought that it would be an expensive experiment but was pleasantly surprised that it does not require much at all.

Remember that you do not need the most expensive brand items to make it taste good, trust me. I used a lot of the basics range items in mine and it tastes great none the less.

Pastry Ingredients:

• 2 cups flour
• 1 egg
• ½ cup sugar
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 125g butter
• pinch of salt

Filling Ingredients:

• 4 ½ cups milk
• 2 ½ tbsp corn flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 3 eggs
• pinch of salt
• 2 ½ tbsp flour
• 1 tsp vanilla essence
• a big spoon of butter

You will need to make the pastry first before you move to the filling. Make sure you have all the ingredients ready before you start with the milk tart.

How to make the pastry?

• Cream butter and sugar well together and add the egg, before beating well.

• Add all other ingredients – making a stiff dough.

• Press into one or two round cake tins/pie dishes and bake at 180°C until light brown. The dough should be thinly rolled to allow the crust not to be too thick.

How to make the filling?

1. Bring milk to the boil.
2. Beat eggs well and add sugar, flour, corn flour and salt.
3. Mix well.
4. Pour boiling milk into the mixture and stir well.
5. Return to stove and stir well until mixture thickens.
6. Add butter and vanilla essence and pour into cooked shell.
7. To decorate, sprinkle with cinnamon.
8. Stick in the oven on 180 C for 15 minutes, then leave to cool. I chose to let mine sit in the fridge for at least two hours before serving to allow it to properly set.

Now that I have made it once, it should be far easier the next time. Good luck with your attempt at making milk tart at home. This recipe does not belong to Stooly.com, we would like to direct all credit to Just Easy Recipes.