Introduction:
Custard slices also known as vanilla slice is a classic dessert consisting of custard sandwiched between layers of flaky puff pastry. These vanilla puff pastries are sometimes dusted with powdered sugar or Icing and are popular during tea time or special events.
Ingredients:
For the Pastry:
2 sheets of puff pastry
For the Custard:
Milk1 liter
Sugar 200 gms granulated
Cornstarch 60 gms
Eggs 6 yolks
Vanilla extract 2 teaspoons
Butter 60 gms
For a Topping:
Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions:
- Prepare the Puff Pastry:
- Place the puff pastries on greaseproof paper on a baking tray and roll the sheets cut for your baking dish around them.
- Prick a few holes in the pastry with a fork in order to prevent it from puffing up too much.
- Bake for about 12-15 minutes, or until the pastries are turned golden brown and crunchy. Set aside.
- Make the Custard Filling:
- Combine the milk, sugar, and cornstarch in a medium sized saucepan and whisk till no lumps remain.
Beat the egg yolks in a different bowl. Using a constant whisk, add a little quantity of the hot milk mixture to the yolks gradually as you try to temper them.
After tempering the egg yolks, place them back in the saucepan and stir them until they are thick and creamy.
Lift away from the heat, add the vanilla and butter and allow the custard to cool to room temperature.
- Bring it All Together:
Pace the rectangular dish with a baking sheet.
Introducing the layer of the puff pastry that needs to be on the bottom.
Pour the custard that is already cold, then stretch it gently above the baking pan.
Place another puff pastry and lightly press it down to secure the top.
Remove from the oven and refrigerate the dish for not less than 4 hours or until the custard sets firm.
- Serve:
Before cutting the dessert in squares and serving it, dust it with icing sugar.
Hints for Success:
For best texture and taste, use the finest puff pastry that is available.
Check that the custard has enough consistency to stand throughout the assembly.
In order to make slicing fast and clean, chill the dessert completely.
Health Benefits:
Eggs: An excellent source of protein and a variety of important elements like choline.
Milk: A useful source of vitamin D as well as calcium.
On the flip side, because of the sugar and butter content, do not indulge too much on this dessert.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving):
Calories: ~320
Protein: 6 grams
Fats: 18 grams
Carbohydrates: 35 grams
Fiber: 1 gram
Ascendency: 18 grams
Variations and Substitutions:
Flavors: To this custard, add a teaspoon, or two, of lemon zest or almond extract to spice things up.
Toppings: You could use chocolate ganache or a light glaze in place of ease’s powdered sugar.
Gluten-free: Employ puff pastry which does not contain gluten.
Dairy-free: Replace the cow’s milk and butter with those which are derived from plants.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
- Can I prepare this dessert the day before? This dessert is great if prepared one day in advance because it gives time for the custard to set properly.
- What is the shelf life? It can be kept in the refrigerator for 3 days in an airtight container.
- Can I custard slices and freeze them? Freezing is not encouraged, because when thawed the custard may separate.
Conclusion:
Custard slices are delicious triangles, squares or rectangles which ‘cotton, cream, and foam, crunch, golden custard layers’ offer a sweet warm soothing taste finish to the dishes. Be it serving to guests on a family occasion or just having them for tea or snacks, these are sure to please. The transition of making and eating this wonderful dessert is extremely pleasurable.
