Classic Vanilla Slice
Classic Vanilla Slice
Ingredients
For Assembly and Garnish
- 2 sheets frozen puff pastry, thawed and baked according to package directions, cooled
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar, for dusting
Instructions
- 1
In a medium bowl, combine the egg yolks, granulated sugar, and cornstarch. Whisk them together until the mixture is pale yellow and smooth.
⏱️ 5 min
- 2
Gradually add the whole milk to the egg mixture, whisking very slowly to ensure the eggs do not scramble. Continue whisking until fully combined.
⏱️ 3 min
- 3
Pour the combined egg and milk mixture into a medium saucepan.
⏱️ 1 min
- 4
Cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring continuously with a whisk or rubber spatula, until it thickens to a glossy, pudding-like consistency. This should take about 8-10 minutes. Do not boil.
⏱️ 10 min
- 5
Remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the unsalted butter pieces and vanilla bean paste until fully incorporated and the custard is glossy and smooth.
⏱️ 3 min
- 6
Line an 8x8 inch square baking pan or a similar rectangular pan with plastic wrap, leaving an overhang on all sides. Place one baked puff pastry layer at the bottom of the pan.
⏱️ 5 min
- 7
Pour the prepared custard through a fine-mesh sieve directly onto the pastry layer in the pan. This will ensure a perfectly smooth custard. Spread evenly with an offset spatula.
⏱️ 5 min
- 8
Carefully place the second baked puff pastry layer on top of the custard, pressing down gently to ensure it makes contact.
⏱️ 2 min
- 9
Cover the pan with the overhanging plastic wrap, pressing it gently against the top pastry layer. Chill the vanilla slice in the refrigerator for at least 5 hours, or preferably overnight, for best results and firm setting.
⏱️ 5 min
- 10
Once thoroughly chilled, remove the vanilla slice from the pan using the plastic wrap overhangs. Place it on a cutting board. If desired, use a ruler to measure out even portions.
⏱️ 2 min
- 11
Slowly and carefully cut through the top pastry layer using a sharp serrated knife to score the individual portions. Then, slice all the way through the custard and bottom pastry layer to create individual vanilla slices.
⏱️ 5 min
- 12
Dust the cut vanilla slices generously with powdered sugar just before serving.
⏱️ 1 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Classic Vanilla Slice
For Assembly and Garnish
- 2 sheets frozen puff pastry, thawed and baked according to package directions, cooled
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar, for dusting
Instructions
- 1
In a medium bowl, combine the egg yolks, granulated sugar, and cornstarch. Whisk them together until the mixture is pale yellow and smooth.
⏱️ 5 min - 2
Gradually add the whole milk to the egg mixture, whisking very slowly to ensure the eggs do not scramble. Continue whisking until fully combined.
⏱️ 3 min - 3
Pour the combined egg and milk mixture into a medium saucepan.
⏱️ 1 min - 4
Cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring continuously with a whisk or rubber spatula, until it thickens to a glossy, pudding-like consistency. This should take about 8-10 minutes. Do not boil.
⏱️ 10 min - 5
Remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the unsalted butter pieces and vanilla bean paste until fully incorporated and the custard is glossy and smooth.
⏱️ 3 min - 6
Line an 8x8 inch square baking pan or a similar rectangular pan with plastic wrap, leaving an overhang on all sides. Place one baked puff pastry layer at the bottom of the pan.
⏱️ 5 min - 7
Pour the prepared custard through a fine-mesh sieve directly onto the pastry layer in the pan. This will ensure a perfectly smooth custard. Spread evenly with an offset spatula.
⏱️ 5 min - 8
Carefully place the second baked puff pastry layer on top of the custard, pressing down gently to ensure it makes contact.
⏱️ 2 min - 9
Cover the pan with the overhanging plastic wrap, pressing it gently against the top pastry layer. Chill the vanilla slice in the refrigerator for at least 5 hours, or preferably overnight, for best results and firm setting.
⏱️ 5 min - 10
Once thoroughly chilled, remove the vanilla slice from the pan using the plastic wrap overhangs. Place it on a cutting board. If desired, use a ruler to measure out even portions.
⏱️ 2 min - 11
Slowly and carefully cut through the top pastry layer using a sharp serrated knife to score the individual portions. Then, slice all the way through the custard and bottom pastry layer to create individual vanilla slices.
⏱️ 5 min - 12
Dust the cut vanilla slices generously with powdered sugar just before serving.
⏱️ 1 min