Bakery-style vegan custard tart with a buttery shortcrust, creamy custard filling and sprinkling of nutmeg. Easy to make, everyday ingredients and customisable!
What to expect from this recipe
This tart mimics the classic Australian or British custard tart often found in bakeries. Recently, custard tarts made a comeback from their appearance on The Great British Bake Off but it's always been a favourite of mine!
This vegan custard tart recipe uses mainly common pantry staples which you can get from your local major supermarket! The tart also happens to be:
- Dairy free
- Egg free
- Nut free
- Tofu free
I've also included options for those who avoid gluten, sugar and soy.
If you prefer a more delicate custard, check out my Chinese vegan egg custard tarts.
Making the vegan shortcrust pastry
The buttery sweet shortcrust pastry is made with three simple ingredients including:
- Plain flour
- Vegan butter or margarine
- Sugar
Alternatively, you can use store-bought shortcrust pastry! Many brands are accidentally vegan as butter is expensive and vegetable shortening is more affordable.
To make the crust, simply add all ingredients to a food processor and pulse until combined. If the mixture is still a little dry, add a dash of water. I prefer making shortcrust pastry in my food processor because it's easy and quick.
Next, roll out your pastry on a floured surface and transfer it to your tart tin. Alternatively, you can scoop the pastry directly into your tin and press it in.
Does the sweet pastry need to be blind baked?
NO, the base does not need to be blind baked. Just make sure you prick the base with a fork. This prevents it from puffing up in the oven. I prefer not to blind bake because it's extra effort!
If your base does puff up in the oven, simply press it down with the back of a spoon while it's still warm. This is easier than blind baking!
Ingredients for the vegan custard
This vegan custard tart is dairy free and egg free.
In traditional custard tarts, egg yolks add colour and richness to the custard and help it set. Instead of eggs, I used:
- Full-fat coconut cream which contains coconut oil and sets below 24°C (75°F).
- Corn flour (also known as corn starch in the USA) as a natural thickening agent
- Pinch of turmeric for colour
- A little black salt for that eggy taste (optional)
The custard also includes dairy free milk, sugar and vanilla. I prefer using soy milk as it's the most creamy and rich. However, almond and coconut milk will work.
For sweetening the custard, I prefer to use regular white cane sugar or maple syrup. The latter adds more flavour and colour.
The custard in this tart is CREAMY like a French vanilla slice. However, it's still wobbly like traditional custard. If you prefer a more gelatinous custard like the classic Aussie vanilla slice, substitute some of the coconut cream with your plant-based milk of choice.
HOW to make vegan custard for the tart
To make the vegan vanilla custard, add all the ingredients to a saucepan and whisk until combined. Do this BEFORE you heat it up because sometimes the cornflour clumps up.
Cook the mixture while stirring constantly for about 10 minutes until it's slightly thickened up. The custard can be taken off the heat when you lift the spatula and it leaves little 'ribbons'. It should be like a thick pourable custard similar to what you can buy from the shops.
As the custard cools, it will thicken up A LOT. Allow it to cool for 10 minutes while stirring occasionally. We don't want to pour boiling hot custard into the tart because:
- It's more likely to crack when it cools
- The custard may burn us if it splashes!
Troubleshooting the vegan 'egg' custard
Unlike many other recipes, this vegan custard recipe is easy to troubleshoot!
The custard may become lumpy from inconsistent stirring and uneven dispersion of the cornflour. If this happens, use a stick blender to remove any clumps. Alternatively, you can pour the custard through a strainer. Tip: it's quicker to use a stick blender.
Your custard may set TOO quickly, especially if you walked away from the stove! If so, simply reheat your custard and add a splash of milk to compensate for the liquid evaporating. Whisk the custard or blend with a stick blender until the custard is runny again.
Serving the vegan custard tart
I sprinkled my tart generously with nutmeg powder as that's how Aussies do it in bakeries! In the Great British Bake Off, Paul Hollywood did that too. However, feel free to decorate yours with fruit, or whatever you desire!
If you love British desserts, check out my vegan sticky toffee pudding.
More vegan versions of classic Australian desserts:
Vegan Custard Tart
Ingredients
Shortcrust pastry
- 1 ¼ cups (155g) all-purpose plain flour, (note 1 for gluten free)
- ⅓ cup (75g) vegan butter or margarine
- 3 tablespoons (35g) granulated sugar, or coconut sugar
- 2 tablespoons (30g) cold water, or as needed
Custard
- 1 ½ cups (360g) thick scoopable canned coconut cream, (note 2 to make coconut-free)
- 1 ¼ cups (310g) soy milk, or any plant-based milk (note 3)
- ½ cup (55g) cornstarch / corn flour, or custard powder for extra custard flavour
- ⅓ cup (65g) granulated sugar, or to taste
- 2 tablespoons (30g) vegan butter or margarine
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of turmeric
- Pinch of black salt (kala namak), optional
To decorate
Instructions
To make the pastry:
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Line the bottom of an 20 cm (8 inch) loose-bottom tart tin.
- Add all the base ingredients to a medium size bowl or food processor. If the mixture is too crumbly, add some extra water and mix until it becomes a pliable dough. If the mixture is too wet, add a little more flour and mix again.
- On a floured surface, roll out the pastry into a thin circle about 5 mm (¼ inch) thick. Transfer the pastry to the tart tin and press it against the base and sides to form a crust. Trim off the excess. If there are any holes, patch it up with the remaining pastry. Prick the bottom with a fork to let hot air escape when baking.
- Bake the crust for 10-15 minutes, or until the pastry is slightly golden. Allow the pastry to cool in the tart tin.
To make the custard:
- Add all ingredients to a medium saucepan (without heating). Whisk until there are no more lumps of corn flour.
- Place the saucepan over medium heat. Cook the mixture for about 10-15 minutes while stirring. Taste test the custard and add more butter, vanilla or black salt if desired (though the above ratios should be enough).
- The mixture is ready when you can lift your whisk and it leaves little 'ribbons' of custard. The custard should coat the back of a spatula (see pictures above) and be a thick custard consistency.
- Remove the saucepan from the stove and cool for 10 minutes while stirring occasionally. If the mixture develops lumps, stir vigorously or blend with a stick blender.
- When the custard has thickened further, pour into your tart base. Chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours or until set (or 1-2 hours in the freezer if you're in a rush).
To serve:
- The tart is ready when you press it and it gives only a little but is slightly wobbly. Sprinkle the tart with nutmeg and serve.
- The tart can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Notes
- For a gluten free vegan custard tart, use ⅔ cup (65g) almond meal/flour and ⅔ cup (105g) gluten-free flour blend which has xantham gum. Press the base directly into your tart pan, rather than rolling it out.
- With the right flavourings (butter, vanilla, black salt), this tart isn't overly coconutty. However, if you don't like coconut at all, substitute the coconut cream with another plant-based cream OR silken tofu in the same gram measurements. Blend the tofu before using it. For a coconut-free filling, also increase the amount of vegan butter to ¼ cup (55g).
- People tend to like either creamy OR gelatinous custards. If you like creamy custards like a mille feuille, follow the ratios above. If you like gelatinous custards that are really wobbly, use 1 cup coconut cream (240g) and 1 ¾ cups (440g) soy milk. Cook the custard until it is a thick custard consistency.
Nutrition
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The nutmeg on top is just pure genius!! Love, love, love.
Hi, I have some shop bought vegan sweet shortcrust pastry cases, do I need to blind bake them or just fill & eat? Sorry very new to this dessert making.
Hi Lou, it depends if your cases are already baked. If they are baked (they'll be golden in colour), just fill them and eat. If they are not baked, you'll need to blind bake them. The packet might have instructions too :).
Translated from Google: Very well described recipe, the cake is good, I didn't change any of the ingredients, the nutmeg is interesting!!!!
Velice dobře popsaný recept,koláč je dobrý, žádné ingredience jsem neměnila,muškátový oříšek zajímavé!!!!
Hi Ludmila, I'm so happy you enjoyed this tart! Thank you for your feedback :).
If I want to use a store bought shortcrust pastry, how much do I need? I don't have a food processor (though I do have a blender - can you use a Nutri Ninja blender to make pastry?!)
Hi Genevieve, 1 sheet of shortcrust pastry should be enough! For the pastry, you can also just mix it with your fingertips - a Nutri Ninja might overblend the dough. Hope that helps!
Excellent 💡. I modified by using a gluten free flour blend for the crust with a tablespoon of vegan egg replacer. (An idea from another foodie). The custard came out fine with light coconut milk and an increase in corn flour/starch. Watch the tumeric, I always go too heavy!
Oh that's great to hear, Lars!! I hear you about the turmeric and have definitely made that mistake too. Thanks so much for your comment!
I am looking for a thick custard that I could pipe on top of a dessert. If I make the creamy custard, let it cool a bit, and then pour it into a piping bag and let chill/set up in the fridge, would it be a thick piping consistency or would it be too runny? Thanks!
Hi Bethany, sorry for the late reply. When the custard sets overnight, it needs to be mixed again before you pipe it. It may work if you let it set in a bowl, mix it well then use it. It will become slightly runny again but will still be thick. Alternatively, if you set the custard for just a few hours, it should be a good piping consistency! I hope that helps 🙂