In South Africa, Heritage Day on the 24th of September is more than just a public holiday—it’s a vibrant celebration of our diverse roots and the rich cultural tapestry that makes our nation so unique. It’s a day to honor where we come from, to embrace our traditions, and to savor the flavors that tell our stories.
With so many cultures and customs woven into our heritage, it’s no surprise that South African cuisine is as diverse as it is delicious. From the syrup-soaked sweetness of Koeksusters to the comforting warmth of Malva pudding, every dish carries a piece of our history. (If you haven’t tried Malva pudding yet, you’re in for a treat—check out this recipe and prepare to fall in love: Living Delish’s Malva Pudding.)
But in our home, there’s one dessert that stands above the rest: the beloved Milk Tart—or Melk Tert, as we say in Afrikaans. Creamy, lightly spiced, and utterly nostalgic, it’s a true taste of South African tradition. And today, we’re sharing a crustless twist on this classic that’s just as delicious as the original.
Ready to bake a piece of heritage? Let’s get started!
What is the story behind this popular tart?
It dates back to the early 1600’s when the Dutch settlers arrived in Cape Town, South Africa.
Traditionally it is made with a sweet pastry crust that is filled with a kind of custard made with flour, eggs, sugar and the main ingredient milk. And don’t forget, what makes this tart so special is the cinnamon that is sprinkled on top.
There are so many ways to make this delicious tart. From no crust, baking the crust with the filling to baking the crust first and then add and bake the filling. There are also some fridge-cake-like recipes out there that requires no baking. You name it, we have some sort of Milk tart flavor treat. 😂😂
My favorite is this crust less milk tart. This is a more silkier tart. I think it is because it does not have the crunch from the crust. Anyway it is a definite must try. Let me know what you think of this recipe.
Crustless milk tart
Makes 2 tarts
Preheat your oven to 160 ˚C, and grease 2 x 23 cm ovenproof pie dishes.
4 extra large eggs, separated
250 ml castor sugar
30 ml butter, melted
5 ml Vanilla essence
250 ml Cake flour
5 ml Baking powder
1 ml salt
1 Litre milk
Ground Cinnamon for sprinkling.
Beat the egg yolks, sugar and melted butter together until creamy. Now add the vanilla essence and mix.
In a separate bowl sift the flour, baking powder and salt together. Add the flour alternating with the milk to the egg mixture.
Now beat the egg whites until they have reached stiff peak stage. Once done, fold this into your creamed mixture.
Now pour this into your prepared dishes, sprinkle with loads of cinnamon and bake for about 1 hour. Remove from the oven and leave to set. This tart is best served chilled.
Celebrate this heritage day in a true South African way with this delicious milk tart. This crust less recipe will have everyone talking.