Bakery-style vegan custard tart with a buttery shortcrust, creamy custard filling and sprinkling of nutmeg. Easy to make, everyday ingredients and customisable!
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.
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 egg-free vegan custard
In traditional custard tarts, egg yolks add colour and richness to the custard. They also help the custard set. To substitute eggs, in this vegan custard recipe I used:
- Full-fat coconut cream as it contains coconut oil which is firm below 24°C (75°F) and helps set the vegan custard
- 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)
My vegan custard recipe also includes plant-based 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 vegan vanilla custard cools, it will thicken up A LOT. Allow it too 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!
I hope you enjoy this custart pie recipe!
See my other vegan classic recipes:
- Buttery vegan brioche
- Vegan Zebra Bundt Cake
- Vegan Pina Colada Cake
- Black Forest Tart
- Vegan Egg Custard Tarts (Chinese style)
Or other vegan Australian dessert recipes:
- Easy vegan lamingtons
- Vegan Lamington Tart
- Decadent raw vegan lamington bliss balls
- Vegan Cherry Ripe Cups
You may also like:
Vegan Custard Tart
Ingredients
Shortcrust pastry
- 1 ⅓ cups (165g) plain or all-purpose flour*
- ½ cup (115g) vegan butter or margarine
- 3 tbsp (35g) cane sugar, or coconut sugar
- Dash of cold water, if needed
Custard
- 1 ½ cups (360g) canned coconut cream, thick part only**
- 1 ¼ cups (310g) soy milk, or any plant-based milk***
- ½ cup (55g) corn flour / corn starch
- ⅓ cup (65g) cane sugar, or maple syrup to taste
- 2 tbsp vegan butter, optional for extra richness
- 1 tbsp 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
Please leave a comment below if you made this recipe, have any questions or thoughts! Your comment will help other readers and Rainbow Nourishments.
So delicious, so creamy and so custardy!
I have tried to make so many different vegan custard tarts and this is hands down the best one I’ve ever made.
Sooo happy! Thank you!
Hello!
When it states *thick part only* for the coconut cream.... does this mean I will need multiple cans and only scrape off the top until i have the required amount?
Can't wait to try it! Thanks 🙂
Yes! With good cans of coconut cream, you'll only need 1-2 of them!
My daughter absolutely loved this tart! It was simple to make and allergy friendly for us. Thanks again!
Aw so glad to hear! Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment! xoxo
I did it exactly like in the recipe (changed the topping though because I didn't like nutmeg that much) and turned out amazing! Thank you for sharing such lovely ideas!!!
Aw that's the best news! Soo glad you enjoyed the recipe :). Thanks so much for your feedback xo
I recently read that Bird’s Custard is naturally vegan - it just depends on the type of milk you use. Have you ever used it? I bought a tin but don’t know what to make with it and was wondering if I could make this tart with it.
The custard powder is indeed vegan! I haven't used it in this recipe but if I did, I'd use it in place of the cornflour, black salt and turmeric. It should work in exactly the same way. Let me know how you go if you do it!
Anthea, could you sub coconut oil for the vegan butter?
Yes if you don't mind the coconut taste! The butter is optional though.