Pastel de Nata Mould: Where to find them and how to use them
Pastéis de Nata, those delicious little Portuguese tarts, are famous for their creamy filling and crispy puff pastry. To make them at home, having the right mould is essential. In this article, we explain why choosing the right Pastel de Nata mould is crucial, where to buy them, and how to use them to make this iconic dessert a success.
Why choose a specific mould for Pastel de Nata?
Pastel de Nata is distinguished by its small size, crispy edges and well-baked base. Unlike other tart moulds, Pastéis de Nata moulds are specially designed to withstand the high temperatures required to obtain this characteristic texture.
A conventional mould can result in undercooked pastry or an overflowing filling. Using a suitable mould ensures that you reproduce the traditional appearance of the dessert, giving it the right shape and consistency.
Which materials are best?
There are different materials available for Pastel de Nata moulds, but the most common are :
Stainless steel: Known for its durability and ability to distribute heat well, stainless steel is often the preferred choice of professional bakers.
Silicone: Less traditional but practical, silicone moulds offer an easy solution for effortless unmoulding, even for beginners.
Our Pastéis de Nata kit includes stainless steel moulds, perfect for even baking and authentic results.
Where can I buy a Pastel de Nata mould?
If you're looking to buy a Pastel de Nata mould, here are a few options:
Specialist online shops: Sites dedicated to pastry often offer specific moulds, but they can sometimes be expensive.
Kitchen shops: You can sometimes find Pastel de Nata moulds in specialist shops, but they are not always available in all regions.
Buy our complete kit direct: To make life easier for you, our Pastéis de Nata preparation kit includes not only the moulds, but also the original cream mixture and all the tools needed for successful preparation. You can buy the kit from our online shop and start cooking straight away.
How to use your Pastel de Nata mould?
Preparation
Before using for the first time, we recommend that you wash and dry your moulds. If you're using stainless steel moulds, you can grease them lightly with butter to make removal from the mould easier, although this isn't always necessary.
Baking
Once you've prepared your puff pastry and custard with our Pastel de Nata recipe, it's time to start assembling:
Roll out the pastry: Cut out circles of pastry slightly larger than the size of your tin and press them gently into the base. Make sure the pastry is evenly distributed around the edges of the tin.
Add the filling: Fill each mould with pastry cream, taking care not to go over the edges to avoid overflowing when baking.
Baking at high temperature: Preheat your oven to a high temperature, generally around 250°C, to reproduce the intensity of professional Portuguese ovens. This temperature is essential to obtain the caramelisation characteristic of Pastel de Nata.
Demoulding
Once cooked, leave your Pastéis de Nata to cool for a few minutes. If you have used stainless steel moulds, simply turn them over and your tarts should come out easily. With silicone moulds, this step is even simpler.
Choosing the right Pastel de Nata mould is the first step to making this iconic dessert at home. Thanks to our complete kit, which includes stainless steel moulds and all the necessary tools, you'll be able to make authentic Pastéis de Nata with ease. Don't wait any longer, order your kit today and bring a piece of Portugal right into your kitchen!
