Vanilla Slice Delight

Ingredients

• 2 sheets (400g) puff pastry 2 sheets (400g) puff pastry
• 4 cups (1 liter) whole milk 4 cups (1 liter) whole milk
• 1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise 1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup (60g) cornstarch 1/2 cup (60g) cornstarch
• 4 large egg yolks 4 large egg yolks
• Powdered sugar, for dusting Powdered sugar, for dusting

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 18g, 9g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 35g, 15g
• Protein: 5g
• Fiber: 1g
• Salt: 0.2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F).
2. 2.
   Roll out one sheet of puff pastry and place it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Prick the pastry with a fork to prevent it from puffing up too much during baking.
3. 3.
   Bake the pastry for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and let it cool completely.
4. 4.
   In a saucepan, combine the milk and vanilla bean. Heat over medium heat until it reaches a simmer. Remove from heat and let it steep for 10 minutes.
5. 5.
   In a separate bowl, whisk together the sugar, cornstarch, and egg yolks until well combined.
6. 6.
   Slowly pour the warm milk into the egg mixture, whisking constantly to prevent curdling.
7. 7.
   Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens and comes to a boil.
8. 8.
   Remove from heat and discard the vanilla bean. Let the custard cool slightly.
9. 9.
   Place one sheet of baked puff pastry in a square or rectangular dish. Pour the custard over the pastry, spreading it evenly.
10. 10.
    Top with the second sheet of puff pastry and gently press down.
11. 11.
    Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or until set.
12. 12.
    Dust the top with powdered sugar before serving. Cut into squares or rectangles and enjoy!

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Puff pastry — Ensure that the puff pastry is thawed properly before using it. If it becomes too soft, refrigerate it for a few minutes to firm it up.
• Vanilla bean — Scrape the seeds from the vanilla bean and add them to the milk for maximum flavor. You can also save the empty vanilla bean pod to infuse sugar or make vanilla extract.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra touch of flavor, you can add a thin layer of raspberry jam between the puff pastry and custard layers.
• To achieve a perfectly crisp puff pastry, brush the top layer with a beaten egg before baking.
• Allow the Vanilla Slice to chill in the refrigerator for a few hours or overnight for the best texture and flavor.
• If you prefer a stronger vanilla flavor, you can add a few drops of vanilla extract to the custard mixture.
• Serve the Vanilla Slice with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent treat.

Serving advice

Serve the Vanilla Slice chilled for the best taste and texture. Cut it into squares or rectangles and dust the top with powdered sugar for an elegant presentation.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, you can drizzle a thin glaze made with powdered sugar and milk over the top layer of puff pastry. This will add a glossy finish and make the Vanilla Slice even more visually appealing.