Divine Vanilla Custard Bars Recipe: A Flaky and Velvety Dessert Delight

Prepare to dazzle your taste buds with our Vanilla Custard Bars, an exquisite dessert that pairs flaky puff pastry with creamy vanilla custard for a truly divine experience. This easy-to-follow recipe ensures you can bring this café-quality treat right into your home.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Simplicity Meets Elegance: Combines simple ingredients for an impressively elegant result.
• Perfect for Any Occasion: Ideal for dinner parties, afternoon tea, or as a luxurious treat to brighten any day.
• Customizable: Offers the flexibility to add your own twist with different toppings or extracts.

Ingredients

• Puff pastry: 16 ounces, store-bought for convenience
• Whole milk: 1 1/2 cups for a rich base
• Heavy cream: 1 1/2 cups to enhance creaminess
• Sugar: 2/3 cup fine caster sugar for sweetness
• Flour: 1/3 cup all-purpose, for thickening the custard
• Butter: 1/4 cup, unsalted, for richness
• Egg yolks: 6, beaten, to create a luxurious custard
• Vanilla extract: 2 teaspoons for classic flavor
• Powdered sugar for a sweet, decorative finish

Instructions

Preparing the Puff Pastry

1. Preheat and Prepare: Set your oven to 350ºF. Line baking sheets with parchment, placing puff pastry sheets to fit.
2. Bake: Dock the pastry with a fork, bake until golden (20-22 minutes), and let cool.

Assembling the Bars

1. Layer Base: Fit one pastry sheet into a 9x13-inch dish.
2. Make Custard: Combine milk, cream, butter, and sugar in a pot. Heat until bubbles form. Whisk in a flour-water slurry, then remove from heat.
3. Combine and Cook: Temper and add egg yolks, return to heat, and boil briefly until thick. Pour over the base pastry sheet.
4. Top Layer: Add the second pastry sheet, press to seal, and chill for 3-4 hours.

Finishing Touches

1. Dust and Cut: Sprinkle powdered sugar, cut into bars, and serve.

Tips for Perfect Custard Bars

• Quality Ingredients: Use high-quality butter and vanilla for the best flavor.
• Chill Thoroughly: Ensure the custard is fully set before slicing to maintain clean layers.
• Serving: Serve chilled for a refreshing treat or slightly warmed for a gooey delight.

These Vanilla Custard Bars are more than just a dessert; they're a sensory journey into the world of fine patisserie. Easy enough for beginners yet elegant enough for the most discerning palates, this recipe promises satisfaction in every bite. Try it today and let these custard bars be the highlight of your dessert table!