What is the difference between custard pie and custard tart?

What is the difference between custard pie and custard tart? - Sliced Cake on White Ceramic Plate

What's the difference between a custard pie and a custard tart? I looked at "Pie" vs "Tart"?, but it doesn't really answer my question as a custard pie does not really have a lid.

I would think that the pie is baked and the tart not but then again Portuguese custard tarts are indeed baked.



Best Answer

Pies originally were specifically to denote enclosed items (the crust sealed the item that was to be eaten). In many cases, the crust wasn't actually eaten -- it was a nasty charred thing that was discarded.

In time, pie crusts improved to the point at which you'd eat the whole thing ... but the star was the filling, not the crust.

Tarts, on the other hand, are closer to a shortbread cookie with some sort of a topping. The crust is typically a critical part of the item, rather than just being a container for something else. (which in part is why people mention tarts being more shallow; there's a higher proportion of crust to filling).

So, my best attempt at determining if I should call something a pie or a tart. Note that these are in order. (as I'm trying to make sure that 'pizza' is a pie, not a tat)

  • fully enclosed by crust : pie
  • full bottom crust, with a crumb or lattice top : pie
  • no crust at all : not a tart, but not a pie, either.
  • has no sugar or fat in the crust : pie
  • chewy, flaky or crumb crust : pie
  • not structurally sound enough to be picked up and eaten one-handed : pie
  • was cooked in a tart pan : tart
  • baked without a pan : galette
  • over 2" / 5cm tall (not counting whipped cream or berries) : pie
  • less than 6" / 15cm across : tart
  • shortbread crust : tart

... I have no idea what I'd categorize thing that didn't match something already.




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What is the difference between custard and pie?

Cream pies are usually faster to prepare than custard pies, since cooking the filling on the stovetop takes less time than baking an egg-based filling and waiting for it to set. Custard pies are a little more hands-off during the prep, however, since you just mix up your filling and pour it right into the shell.

What is the main difference between a pie and a tart?

PiesTarts \u2013 If you've ever thought a tart was pie, you're forgiven because they're incredibly similar. The main difference is that tarts only have a bottom crust, and the crust is much thicker than a pie crust.

What is the difference between a custard tart and a Portuguese custard tart?

There is one major difference though as far as the English and the Portuguese versions are concerned: the English custard tart is made of crust pastry and topped with nutmeg, while the Portuguese pasteis de nata is made with puff pastry and topped with cinnamon.



The Best Parisian Custard Tart | Dorie All Day




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