Classic Vanilla Slice is one of those desserts that makes you really appreciate how simple desserts can be absolute stunners! This dessert is all about two things. A thick layer of vanilla bean speckled custard sandwiched between two buttery puff pastry layers. Dusted with powdered sugar and ready for you to dig into. Classic never tasted so good!
Nick’s favourite thing…
Where do I even start? I mean just look at the photos! Those vanilla bean specs in the custard? Divine! The best ever vanilla dessert and one of my personal favourites!
Sorry about the out-of-sharpness of this photo! Still getting used to my new camera! haha
What does Classic Vanilla Slice taste like?
Let me break it down. And there are only 2 big main elements in this dessert.
Pastry – it’s flaky, butter and crispy. And it stays crispy! I used the Pampas brand butter puff pastry. Nothing beats it. Those crispy layers of pastry on top and bottom contrast to the silky smooth custard!
Vanilla Custard – the custard is silky smooth. My absolute favourite thing about it is the egg that sets it. There’s a lot of egg yolks in this recipe. If you’re looking for ideas on ways to use the egg whites, why not try my macarons? Or this pavlova recipe!
What are the ingredients I need?
Butter puff pastry – I used the pampas brand one from Coles and Safeway and I used the butter puff pastry. I found it had a much nicer texture. It went more evenly golden and tasted nicer. But you can use regular puff pastry sheets. I wouldn’t recommend using the low fat ones.
Caster Sugar – Sometimes also known as superfine sugar.
Corn starch – This will help thicken up and set the custard in the recipe.
Egg yolks – This will also help thicken up the custard, but it will help add flavour as well.
Whole milk – I used regular whole milk for this recipe. You can use skim if you like.
Vanilla bean paste – Make sure you use really good quality vanilla in this recipe. This recipe is all about the vanilla! I used a very small amount, but because it’s good quality, a little goes a long way. In it place you can use regular vanilla extract or even real vanilla beans which will also give you that nice, speckled vanilla bean look which is what I love about this recipe visually.
Unsalted butter – Make sure you’re using chilled butter. Chilled butter will allow the butter to melt into the custard more slowly while it’s hot and prevent it from melting too quickly which can result in it splitting or just becoming a pool of melted butter that creates a mess.
Powdered sugar – also known as icing sugar.
What can I do with my leftover egg whites?
Can I suggest making a delicious meringue? Or maybe a pavlova? I have a delicious one here that you can try!
Let’s go through each step.
Pastry
- Add the frozen puff pastry on two baking trays lined with baking paper.
- Allow to thaw before using a fork to prick holes on top.
- Place another sheet of baking paper on top and another baking tray on top of that. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden. Once baked allow to cool down completely.
- Gently place a 9-inch baking tin on top of one of the baked sheets. Use a serrated knife to gently score and cut down the pastry to the size of the bottom of the baking tray. Do the same with the other pastry sheet and the top of the baking tray. Sometimes baking trays can be a different size on the bottom and top.
Vanilla Custard
- Add the sugar and corn starch to a large heat proof bowl. Use a whisk to combine.
- Add the egg yolks and whisk to combine.
- Add 1/2 cup of the hot milk and whisk to combine. Then add the remaining milk and vanilla bean paste and whisk.
- Pour the mixture into a large saucepan.
- Whisk on medium high heat until it thickens. About 5-6 minutes.
- Once thickened, take off the heat and add the butter.
- Whisk until the butter is melted and well combined.
Let’s put it together!
- Line the bottom and sides of the baking tray with baking paper.
- Place the smaller pastry sheet in the bottom.
- Run the custard through a sieve on top of the pastry.
- Use a spatula to smoothen out flat.
- Place the second pastry sheet on top. Place in the fridge to chill for 2 hours or overnight.
How to cut it!
- Gently lift the vanilla slice out of the baking tin. Place on a chopping board.
- You want to use a sharp serrated knife. That’s important. Gently score the pastry by running it on top of the vanilla slice.
- Once you score through the top pastry layer cut the rest of the slice in one motion all the way to the bottom.
- Carefully wipe the knife clean before making the next cut. Finish with a dusting of powdered sugar and serve.
My Top Tips!
- When slicing the vanilla slice, make sure you do it slowly. Gently score the pastry with a serrated knife. Then make the full slice in one go.
- Dust with powdered sugar after the vanilla slices have been cut. I just feel it results in a much nicer looking and neater vanilla slice.
Other Recipes You Might Like!
- French Fruit Tart https://thescranline.com/french-fruit-tart/
- Tim Tam Tart https://thescranline.com/tim-tam-tart/
- Paris Brest Cupcakes https://thescranline.com/paris-brest-cupcakes/
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I hope you guys enjoyed this simple but delicious Classic Vanilla Slice recipe with me. Please comment in the comments section below, or feel free to share with your family and friends on social media.
I’ll see you all on the following recipe. Happy baking!
N x
Classic Vanilla Slice
Classic never tasted so good! vanilla bean speckled custard sandwiched between two buttery puff pastry layers and dusted with powdered sugar!
Serves9
4.5 from 163 votes
Author: Nick Makrides
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep: 20 minutes mins
Cook: 40 minutes mins
Chill: 4 hours hrs
Total: 4 hours hrs
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 581kcal
Ingredients
Pastry
- 2 sheets butter puff pastry frozen (see notes)
Vanilla Custard
- 110 g caster sugar
- 40 g corn starch corn flour
- 8 egg yolks room temperature
- 750 ml whole milk warmed
- 2 tsp vanilla bean paste
- 125 g unsalted butter chilled and cubed
- 50 g powdered sugar
Learn How To Make it! [VIDEO]
Instructions
Pastry
Preheat a fan forced oven to 180C / 355F (200C / 435F for no fan). Line two flat baking trays with baking paper.
To prepare the pastry - Lay your frozen butter puff pastry on top of your baking trays and allow to thaw slightly. Use a fork to prick holes in both sheets of pastry. Cover with another sheet of baking paper and cover with another flat baking tray.
To bake the pastry - If using a fan forced oven bake for 40 minutes, if using no fan, bake for 50 minutes or until golden and crispy. Once baked, take out of the oven and allow to cool completely at room temperature.
Cutting the pastry to size - Gently place a 8-inch baking tin on top of one of the baked sheets. Use a serrated knife to gently score and cut down the pastry to the size of the bottom of the baking tray. Do the same with the other pastry sheet and the top of the baking tray. Sometimes baking trays can be a different size on the bottom and top. If you want to be extra, you can use a ruler to measure out and cut to size that way.
Vanilla Custard
Combine the dry ingredients - Add the sugar and corn starch into a large heat proof bowl and whisk to combine. Then add the egg yolks and whisk until smooth. Set aside.
Heat the milk - Place the milk into a non-stick large pot and begin heating on low heat, stirring occasionally. As soon as you see bubbles forming around the sides, take it off the heat.
Combine hot milk and egg mixture - Add about 1/4 cup of the hot milk to the egg mixture while whisking. You want to slowly heat the egg mixture with the hot milk so that the eggs don’t heat too quickly and curdle. Add a little more milk and whisk. Once about half the milk has been added, you can add all of the milk. Whisk until combined.
Cook the custard - Add the mixture back into the pot and begin stirring on medium heat. The mixture will begin to thicken after about 3-4 minutes. Once it’s completely thickened, continue stirring until it begins to bubble and steam. When it bubbles, stir for 2 minutes, then take off the heat and add the vanilla bean paste. Stir until combined.
Adding the butter - While the mixture is hot, add the cold butter in 4 batches, stirring each time. You want to add the butter slowly so that it has time to mix and melt into the custard without splitting it. This is also why we use cold butter. It melts slower.
Putting it together
Line the bottom and sides of the baking tray with baking paper or double layers of plastic wrap, leaving some overhang and place the smaller pastry sheet in the bottom. Run the custard through a sieve on top of the pastry. Use a spatula to smoothen out flat. Place the second pastry sheet on top and cover with the baking paper or plastic wrap. Place in the fridge to chill for 4 hours or overnight.
How to cut it
Gently lift the vanilla slice out of the baking tin using the overhang. Place on a chopping board.
You want to use a sharp serrated knife. That’s important. Gently score the pastry by running it on top of the vanilla slice. You can use a metal ruler to help guide where to cut. Once you score through the top pastry layer cut the rest of the slice in one motion all the way to the bottom. Carefully wipe the knife clean before making the next cut. Finish with a light dusting of powdered sugar and serve.
Notes
Butter Puff Pastry - this is like puff pastry, but a little richer and made using real butter. It will give you a much flakier and richer pastry. If you can’t find this, you can use regular puff pastry. You want to make sure your puff pastry is larger in size than your baking tin. If it isn’t just cut some pastry and overlap it on your large pastry sheet, then sprinkle a light amount of flour and roll until flat and even.
Storage - Vanilla Slice can be stored in an airtight container, in the fridge for up to three days.
Nutrition - is an approximate and is based on per slice.
A note on measurements - this recipe is offered in weight measurements. This is in an effort to offer the most accurate way to get the best results. Cup measurements simply aren’t accurate enough for a recipe that needs precision and cup sizes differ depending on where you are in the world. To learn more about how to measure ingredients using digital kitchen scales, click here!
Nutrition
Calories : 581kcal
Carbonhydrates: 41g
Protein: 9g
Fat: 39g
Saturated Fat: 16g
Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g
Monounsaturated Fat : 17g
Trans Fat : 0.5g
Cholesterol: 213mg
Sodium: 179mg
Potassium : 201mg
Fiber: 1g
Sugar : 12g
Vitamin A: 718IU
Calcium: 137mg
Iron: 2mg
Nutrition Disclosure
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Nick Makrides
Nick Makrides is an ex Navy (for 7 weeks before I realised it was a major mistake), graphic designer and pastry chef. Although he likes to think of himself as a home, self taught, pop queen baker.