Authentic Italian Torta della Nonna (Custard Filled Tart)

Step 1

Prepare the dough: in a food processor, add the flour, sugar, lemon zest, salt and the butter cut in pieces. Pulse until the mixture looks like a coarse meal. Add the vanilla extract, eggs and mix only until the dough comes together. If needed, add a tablespoon or two of milk if too dry. Add a bit of flour, if too wet.

Step 2

Collect the dough and divide into two pieces, a large and smaller piece (about 2/3 and 1/3). Make into two disks, wrap each separately in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1/2 hour.

Step 3

Prepare the custard cream: place the lemon peel in the milk and warm up until hot, but not boiling. You can warm up in the microwave or in a small pan on the stove.

Step 4

In a sauce pan, add the egg yolks, flour, corn starch, sugar and vanilla extract.Whisk well until light and fluffy. Add a little bit of the hot milk (discarding the lemon peel) and whisk some more. Incorporate the rest of the milk, while whisking.

Step 5

Place the pan over medium heat and bring to a slow boil, while stirring. The cream will thickens so make sure it doesn't stick to the bottom. Lower the flame when it starts to bubble and cook for one or two more minutes, until it reaches the desired thickness. Pour the cream in a glass bowl, cover with plastic wrap. The plastic should touch the cream, so it won't become harder on top. Let it cool down.

Step 6

Preheat the oven to 350° F (175°C).

Step 7

Grease an 11 in (28 cm) tart pan with butter and flour (or spray). Roll out the larger dough first on a lightly floured surface to a circle of about 12 inches (30 cm) in diameter. Helping yourself with the rolling pin, move the dough to the tart pan. If the dough breaks, you can easily fix it with your fingers, so don't worry! Trim the excess dough around the edges, or add little pieces if needed.

Step 8

Prick the bottom with a fork. Pour the custard cream in the tart shell and spread.

Step 9

Roll out the other dough to about 11 or 12 inches (28 cm) circle, and place it on top of the tart. You need to be a little more carefully this time. Cut off any extra dough from the edges, and press the edges together to seal.

Step 10

Gently prick the top with a fork. Brush the top with some milk and sprinkle with the pine nuts, pressing them down slightly with your fingers so that the nuts stick to the dough.

Step 11

Bake in lower third of the oven for about 45 minutes, until slightly golden on top and around the edges (some custard cream might spill out of the tart, I recommend placing a baking sheet or aluminum foil at the bottom of the oven to catch any spills!)

Step 12

Let it cool down at room temperature first, than one hour in the refrigerator before dusting with powdered sugar, and cutting your first slice... for yourself, of course :)