Shortcrust biscuit-base milk tart

A foolproof way to make this old favourite.

CRUST 400 g shortcrust biscuits 200 g butter, melted

FILLING 1 litre (4 c) milk 375 ml (1½ c) castor sugar 2,5 ml (½ c) vanilla essence 1 cinnamon stick 125 ml (½ c) flour 60 ml (¼ c) cornflour 10 ml (2 t) custard powder pinch of salt 3 eggs, separated 80 ml (⅓ c) water 60 g butter 10 ml (2 t) ground cinnamon

Preheat the oven to 180 °C and grease a loose bottom cake tin. 1 Crust In a blender blend the biscuits to fine crumbs, add the butter and blend until the crumbs are well coated. Line the tin with the biscuit crumble and bake for 5 minutes. 2 Filling In a deep saucepan, heat the milk, half the castor sugar, vanilla and cinnamon stick until warm but not boiling. Sift the dry ingredients into a large mixing bowl. 3 In another mixing bowl whisk the egg yolks, water and the remaining castor sugar until pale and light. Add the dry ingredients to the egg mixture, add the milk mixture to the egg and flour mixture and whisk until smooth. 4 Return the mixture to the pan on medium heat. Add the butter and stir until thick. Remove the cinnamon stick then whisk the egg whites until soft peaks form and fold into the milk mixture. 5 Fold the custard into the crust and bake for 30 minutes or until cooked in the centre. Dust with cinnamon before serving.

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