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Brown Sugar Tart
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Using just egg yolks in the custard resulted in a silkier, creamier texture than whole eggs, and adding flour prevented the tart from forming a skin on top. We wanted the brown sugar layer to be distinct from the custard layer but found that adding a few tablespoons of the sugar to the custard mixture rounded out the flavor. And while light brown sugar worked fine, we preferred the deeper, more robust flavor of dark brown.
8
Servings
Don’t use old, hard brown sugar. If your sugar is clumpy and dry, it will never fully incorporate into the custard mixture. Buy a new bag, and once it’s open, keep it in a zip-top plastic bag with all the air pressed out.
1¾ hours
(30 minutes active), plus cooling
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1
-
99
grams (8 tablespoons packed) dark brown sugar
-
1
tablespoon all-purpose flour
-
pinch
table salt
-
4
large egg yolks
-
1¼
cups heavy cream
-
2
teaspoons vanilla extract

Recipe
Single-Crust Pie Dough

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01Heat the oven to 375F with racks in the middle and lowest positions. On a well-floured counter, roll the dough into a 12-inch circle. Wrap the dough loosely around the rolling pin and transfer to a 9-inch tart pan with a removable bottom. Gently ease the dough into the corners of the pan, then trim the edges flush with the pan rim. Freeze for 15 minutes.
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02Line the chilled tart shell with foil and fill with pie weights, then place it on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake on the oven’s lowest rack until the edges are light golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through. Remove the foil and weights, then bake until the bottom of the crust just begins to color, another 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven and reduce the oven temperature to 325F.
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03In a medium bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of the sugar with the flour and salt. Add the yolks and whisk until combined. Add the cream and vanilla and whisk until smooth. Sprinkle the remaining 6 tablespoons of sugar over the warm crust and gently press into an even layer.
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04Slowly pour the custard over the sugar. Bake on the oven’s middle rack until the edges are set but the center jiggles slightly, about 25 minutes. Cool in the pan on a wire rack for at least 1 hour. Remove the outer metal ring and serve at room temperature.