Italian Desserts Recipes - Vanilla Nut Tartlets (Crostatine di Noci alla Vaniglia) Recipe

Ingredients                                 

Pastry:

• 275 g/10 oz/2 1/2 cups plain (all-purpose) flour

• 5 ml/1 tsp baking powder

• 100 g/4 oz/1/2 cup caster (superfine) sugar

• 25 g/1 oz/2 tbsp unsalted (sweet) butter

• 1 egg, lightly beaten

• 120 ml/4 oz/1/2 cup milk

• 5 ml/1 tsp butter for greasing 

Filling:

• 2 eggs, well beaten

• 5 ml/1 tsp water

• 50 g/2 oz/1/4 cup caster (superfine) sugar

• 5 ml/1 tsp vanilla essence (extract)

• 30 ml/2 tbsp milk or single (light) cream

• 50 g/2 oz/1/2 cup chopped mixed nuts

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Method:

1. Mix the flour, baking powder and sugar together and rub in the butter.

2. Add the lightly beaten egg to the milk and mix in gradually to form a thick paste. Roll out to 5 mm/1/4 in thick.

3. Line greased tartlet tins (patty pans) with pastry and bake in a preheated oven at 220°C/425°F/gas mark 7 for about 15 minutes.

4. Blend all the filling ingredients in a saucepan and cook until thick, stirring constantly.

5. Fill the cooled pastry shells two-thirds full. Return to the oven for 12-15 minutes until glossy.