Description
Delight in these luscious Vanilla Custard Cream Squares made with flaky puff pastry and a rich, creamy vanilla custard. Perfect for an elegant dessert or a sweet treat any time of day, this recipe combines crispy pastry layers with smooth custard filling for a truly indulgent experience.
Ingredients
Scale
Puff Pastry
- 2 sheets puff pastry, thawed
Custard Cream
- 4 cups whole milk
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 8 eggs, separated
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pastry: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to ensure the puff pastry doesn’t stick during baking.
- Shape the Pastry: On a floured surface, roll out the thawed puff pastry sheets. Cut each sheet into 8-12 squares depending on your preferred size. Prick each square lightly with a fork to prevent excessive puffing.
- Bake Pastry: Place the puff pastry squares on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes or until they turn golden brown and crisp. Once baked, transfer the squares to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Make the Custard: Pour the whole milk into a medium saucepan and heat over medium heat until steaming but not boiling. Meanwhile, in a bowl, whisk together granulated sugar, all-purpose flour, salt, and the egg yolks until smooth and well combined. Gradually pour the hot milk into the egg mixture while whisking continuously to avoid curdling. Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook on medium heat, stirring constantly with a whisk until the custard thickens, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract. Allow the custard to cool slightly.
- Assemble: Once the puff pastry squares are completely cooled, carefully slice each square horizontally in half to create a top and bottom layer. Spoon a generous amount of the vanilla custard onto the bottom half of each square, then place the top half back on to form a sandwich.
- Serve: Optionally dust the assembled custard squares with powdered sugar. Serve chilled or at room temperature for a delightful dessert experience.
Notes
- Ensure the milk is hot but not boiling before mixing with the egg yolks to prevent curdling.
- Allow the custard to cool enough before assembling to keep the puff pastry crisp.
- You can adjust the size of pastry squares depending on your serving preference.
- For an extra touch, garnish with fresh berries or a drizzle of chocolate sauce.
