Description
Delightful vanilla custard cream squares bring Italian pastry magic to dessert tables. Layers of delicate pastry and silky custard create a harmonious blend that satisfies sweet cravings with elegant simplicity.
Ingredients
Scale
Pastry and Base Ingredients:
- 2 sheets puff pastry, thawed
Main Custard Ingredients:
- 4 cups (960 milliliters) whole milk
- 6 large egg yolks
- 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
Flavor and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup (60 grams) cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 400F (200C) to prepare for pastry preparation.
- Dust a clean surface with flour and gently roll out puff pastry sheets to perfectly fit a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Carefully place the first pastry sheet into the baking dish, using a fork to create small punctures across the surface for even baking.
- Bake the first pastry sheet for 15 minutes until achieving a rich golden-brown color, then allow to cool completely.
- Warm the milk in a saucepan until hot, avoiding boiling temperatures.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine sugar, cornstarch, egg yolks, vanilla extract, and salt, whisking until smooth and well-integrated.
- Slowly stream the hot milk into the egg mixture, continuously whisking to prevent curdling and ensure a silky texture.
- Transfer the mixture back to the saucepan, cooking over medium heat while stirring constantly until the custard thickens and begins to bubble.
- Pour the creamy custard evenly over the cooled first pastry layer in the baking dish.
- Gently lay the second pastry sheet on top of the custard, creating fork punctures to allow steam to escape.
- Return the dish to the oven, baking for 15-20 minutes until the top pastry turns a beautiful golden-brown shade.
- Remove from oven and let cool completely at room temperature.
- Refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours to set the custard and enhance flavor.
- Just before serving, dust the top with a delicate layer of powdered sugar for an elegant finish.
Notes
- Ensure pastry sheets are rolled thin and even for a delicate, crisp texture that melts in your mouth.
- When adding hot milk to egg mixture, pour slowly and whisk continuously to prevent scrambling eggs and create silky smooth custard.
- Refrigerating allows custard to set completely, enhancing flavor and creating clean, precise square slices when serving.
- For gluten-free option, substitute puff pastry with almond flour or gluten-free pastry sheets to accommodate dietary restrictions.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 278
- Sugar: 28 g
- Sodium: 86 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg