Desserts & Baking

Orange-infused milk tartlets

By
12 February 2026
Makes about 40 tartlets
Medium
40 minutes
20 minutes

Ramadan is all about giving, charity and community. There’s always room for dessert and its customary to send little gifts of sweet treats to neighbours, family and friends in the evening just before breaking the fast (Iftar). These orange-infused milk tartlets are always very welcome on a summer night with a cup of chai or coffee. These tartlets will keep for up to a week in the fridge if you haven’t devoured them before that! I make these on repeat and even make a batch on Eid day itself.

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Ingredients

Method
    For the pastry:

  • 250 g butter, softened
  • 225 g caster sugar
  • 2 T vegetable oil
  • 2 large free-range eggs
  • 1 t vanilla essence
  • ½ t ground cardamom
  • 1 t orange zest
  • ½ t salt
  • 2 t baking powder
  • 500 g flour
  • For the filling:

  • 9 extra-large free-range eggs
  • 1 x 385 g can condensed milk
  • 3 cans milk (use the condensed milk can as a measurement)
  • 1 t orange zest
  • 1 t vanilla essence
  • a mixture of ground cinnamon, cardamom and nutmeg, for sprinkling
  • 120 g caster sugar, for sprinkling

Method

Ingredients

1. To make the pastry, mix the butter, sugar and oil until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla, then beat until smooth.

2. Add the cardamom and orange zest and beat lightly. Sift in the remaining ingredients and mix to form a soft pastry. Wrap in clingwrap and chill for at 15–30 minutes.

3. Press ping-pong-ball-sized pieces of dough into cupcake tins, then chill for 10–15 minutes.

4. To make the filling, beat the eggs well, about 1 minute. Add the condensed milk and beat again.

5. Heat 1 can milk and add the orange zest. Allow to steep for 5 minutes. Add all the milk
and vanilla to the mixture, then strain through a fine sieve to remove the orange zest.

6. Preheat the oven to 180°C. Pour the filling into the dough cups – do not overfill. Lightly sprinkle with the spice mixture and bake for 18–20 minutes. Allow to cool for a few minutes, then remove from the tray.

7. Sprinkle about ¼ t caster sugar over each tartlet and use a blowtorch to caramelise the sugar until golden and crispy.

Find more milk tart recipe here

Videographer: Barry de Villiers

Photographer: Shavan Rahim

Food Assistant: Bianca Jones

 

Fayruza Abrahams

Recipe by: Fayruza Abrahams

Fayruza Abrahams is passionate about demystifying Cape Malay cooking and sharing the flavours with as many people as possible. She hosts a variety of food experiences at her home in Bo-Kaap, including a unique, Cape Malay fine-dining extravaganza. She also offers online classes. She is currently writing her second cookbook.

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