Milk tart cake recipe with soft vanilla sponge and creamy cinnamon custard

The milk tart cake recipe combines the familiar flavors of milk tart in a simple, moist vanilla cake topped with creamy cinnamon custard. To make this treat, begin by preheating the oven to 180°C and greasing a baking tray. In a bowl, whisk together eggs, sugar, vanilla essence, cooled melted butter, and milk until the mixture becomes pale and fluffy.

Add sifted cake flour and baking powder, along with cinnamon, mixing just until combined. Pour the batter into the prepared tray, then bake for 25 to 30 minutes until fully cooked through. Allow the cake to cool completely before preparing the custard topping.

To create the cinnamon custard, heat milk, butter, and a cinnamon stick in a saucepan over medium heat until hot. In another bowl, whisk flour, cornstarch, vanilla essence, sugar, and eggs until smooth. Gradually incorporate some of the warm milk into the egg mixture to bring temperatures together. Return the mixture to the saucepan and stir continuously over medium heat until the custard thickens. Remove the cinnamon stick before pouring the custard over the cooled cake, spreading it evenly.

Chill the cake for at least 30 minutes before slicing into squares. The secret lies in slowly adding warm milk to the egg mixture while whisking to prevent lumps. While stirring continuously, keep the custard mixture on the stove as it thickens. If lumps appear, pass the custard through a fine sieve before topping the cake. The cake's warm steam can impact the custard's consistency, so allow it to cool fully before spreading the custard evenly.

This milk tart cake offers a delightful blend of a soft vanilla sponge and a rich cinnamon custard, providing a South African favorite in a convenient cake form.