Easy Vanilla Slices. Creamy custard sandwiched between sheets of crispy puff pastry make for a nice chilled treat perfect for any occasion. I have made this recipe easy, simply because it is so delicious, but if you were to make it the 'complicated' way, then I guess very few people would have the time or patience to make it!
Vanilla Slices are also called Custard Slice, Millefeuille, Napoleon, gosh, the list is endless.
Typically, there should be three layers of puff pastry and then in between, there would be pastry cream, whipped cream, powdered sugar, or an icing glaze.
It really does vary from country to country, and if you ever visit New Zealand, then you need to call this a Passionfruit Slice!
This site contains affiliate links. I may receive a commission for purchases made through these links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, check Privacy Policy.
What I have done to make this easy and delicious is to use 2 layers of pastry, with a simple custard filling, using milk and a small amount of cream.
For the topping, I decided to add some fresh strawberries and a little puree under the strawberries just because the flavors went very well and added another dimension to the slice.
You could leave it with just a sprinkling of powdered sugar, or an icing glaze. It's up to you!
So please do enjoy, and have fun making this classic French Pastry. Perfect for an afternoon tea party too!
For this recipe, I used ready-made pastry as I had some handy in the freezer. If you'd like to make your own, you can use our quick and easy flaky pie crust recipe.
Prep time
15 minutes
Baking time
15 minutes
Serving size
6 Slices
Ingredients
The Pastry
17 oz Package or 180 g of frozen puff pastry sheets, thawed.
I cut each Vanilla slice into approx 5 inches (12.5 cm) long by 2.5 inches (6 cm) wide. (you can cut them to suit)
The Filling
¼ cup or 75 g white sugar
3 Tablespoons custard powder (I use Bird's Custard powder)
¼ cup or 35 g cornstarch
1 ¾ cups or 465 ml milk
1 ½ Tablespoons butter
1 egg yolk
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
The Sugar Icing
¼ cup and 2 tablespoons or 45 g powdered / icing sugar
1 teaspoon milk
a drop vanilla extract
Topping
Strawberries or other berries (optional)
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 400 F / 200 C. Unfold puff pastry sheets and place flat onto baking sheets.
Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until lightly browned and puffed. (I am not able to buy whole sheets of puff pastry so in my photos you will see 'square' shapes of pastry!)
When cool enough to handle place the pastry on to a cutting board and cut rectangles of even sizes. You need 12 rectangles. Once cut, set aside.
Top Tips
- You can bake the pastry as an entire sheet, and then build the vanilla slices in the pan and chill, then try to slice them.
- However, if you cut the pastry into equal rectangles first, before building the slice, this will give you ready-made slices when ready to serve. If you try to cut the vanilla slices once they're built, the filling will likely squash out the sides once the knife goes in. So having them ready cut before assembly is the best way I find to avoid squashing them!
- Remember, there will be a bottom layer and a top layer of pastry. I cut my pastry into approx 5 inches (12.5 cm) long by 2.5 inches (6 cm) wide, so I had 12 rectangles.
2. In a pan, add the sugar, custard powder, cornstarch and some of the measured milk to combine to a thick paste. Then add the remaining milk. Place on a medium heat and keep stirring until thick. Add the butter and combine.
When the custard starts to simmer, remove from the heat and add the vanilla extract and then the egg yolk, and stir very well.
Transfer to a bowl and place a layer of plastic wrap directly on the top of the custard mixture. this will stop a skin forming. Allow to cool
3. Line a suitable baking dish with aluminum foil and also up the sides of the dish so you can lift the slices out later.
Place 6 of the baked pastry rectangles in the bottom of the dish, pack them so they are a tight fit.
If you don’t have a pan to fit the rectangles, you can use the foil and bring it up the side to keep the custard from spilling off the pastry.
The photo below shows you I had to do that with the foil as my pan was too big.
4. Spread the custard filling in an even layer over the pastry,
then place the other pieces of pastry on top. Select the nicest side to make the surface!
5. In a cup, add the powdered sugar and milk, and vanilla extract and stir until a paste. Spread this icing over the top of the pastry. I use a brush so it is even.
Place the slices in the fridge until set. When firm, use the sides of the foil and lift from the dish, and slice to the sizes you wish. If possible, refrigerate overnight so the filling can set fully.
When ready to serve, top with strawberries or leave as they are.
We'd love to hear from you and what you thought of our post. Did you make any changes or add some other goodies? Let us know in the comments below. Thanks for reading and happy cooking!
Recipe Card
Easy Vanilla Slices
Ingredients
The Pastry
- 17 oz Package or 180 g of frozen puff pastry sheets, thawed.
- slice I cut each Vanilla into approx 5 inches long by 2.5 inches wide., 12.5 cm, 6 cm, you can cut them to suit
The Filling
- ¼ cup or 75 g white sugar
- 3 Tablespoons custard powder, I use Bird's Custard powder
- ¼ cup or 35 g cornstarch
- 1 ¾ cups or 465 ml milk
- 1 ½ Tablespoons butter
- 1 egg yolk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
The Sugar Icing
- ¼ cup and 2 tablespoons or 45 g powdered / icing sugar
- 1 teaspoon milk
- a drop vanilla extract
- Topping : Strawberries or other berries, optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 F / 200 C. Unfold puff pastry sheets, and place flat onto baking sheets. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until lightly browned and puffed. (I am not able to buy whole sheets of puff pastry so in my photos you will see 'square' shapes of pastry!) When cool enough to handle place the pastry on to a cutting board and cut rectangles of even sizes. You need 12 rectangles. Once cut, set aside.
- ** Remember, there will be a bottom layer and a top layer of pastry. I cut my pastry in to approx 5 inches (12.5 cm) long by 2.5 inches (6 cm) wide, so I had 12 rectangles.
- In a pan, add the sugar, custard powder, cornstarch and some of the measured milk to combine to a thick paste. Then add the remaining milk. Place on a medium heat and keep stirring until thick. Add the butter and combine. When the custard starts to simmer, remove from the heat and add the vanilla extract and then the egg yolk, and stir very well. Allow to cool.
- Line a suitable baking dish with aluminum foil and also up the sides of the dish so you can lift the slices out later. Place 6 of the baked pastry rectangles in the bottom of the dish, pack them so they are a tight fit. If you don't have a pan to fit the rectangles, you can use the foil and bring it up the side to keep the custard from spilling off the pastry. The photo below shows you I had to do that with the foil as my pan was too big.
- Spread the custard filling in an even layer over the pastry, then place the other pieces of pastry on top. Select the nicest side to make the surface!
- In a cup, add the powdered sugar and milk, and vanilla extract and stir until a paste. Spread this icing over the top of the pastry. I use a brush so it is even. Place the slices in the fridge until set. When firm, use the sides of the foil and lift from the dish, and slice to the sizes you wish.
- When ready to serve, top with strawberries or leave as they are.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1 gramsAmount Per Serving: Calories: 411Total Fat: 18gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 61mgSodium: 171mgCarbohydrates: 53gFiber: 2gSugar: 24gProtein: 7g
Delicious recipes using Custard
Here's a selection of recipes using custard for all you custard lovers!
French Fruit Tart With Pastry Cream is a wonderful homemade sweet French pastry (Pâte Sablée) tart case, filled with silky smooth creme patissiere and then decorated with a variety of fresh fruits. A French patisserie classic dessert and a showstopper for parties!
Easy Peaches and Cream Dessert really is that easy! If you like peaches, vanilla pudding and trifle desserts, then this one is for you!
Easy Cherry Custard Pastries are perfect for serving at a tea party, or just to have for yourself! Easy to make and fun for kids to help too.
Creamy Blueberry and Lemon Ice Cream is a delicious creamy ice cream using fresh blueberries and a hint of lemon for a refreshing flavor. Instructions for ice cream maker and no churn ice cream
Creme Caramel Custard, Flan Easy to follow instructions on how to make a silky smooth dessert to die for!
Easy Strawberry and Lemon Trifle, quick simple dessert recipe with layers of fresh strawberries, lemon whipped cream, vanilla pudding and lady’s fingers. Great for parties and holidays
Layers Of Creamy Smooth Vanilla Pudding Layered Between Juicy Blueberries On A Bed Of Coconut-Infused Lady's Fingers And Then Covered With A Wonderful Dreamy Whipped Cream Topping
Red, white and blue trifle is an easy dessert perfect for July 4th celebrations. Delicious layers of cake, fresh blueberries and strawberries, jello and whipped cream
How To Make Home Made Custard. A great addition to your dessert. Pour some over your delicious apple pie or pudding! Always a hit at dessert time! Serve warm or chilled.
Delicious Apple and Custard Strudel, serve warm on their own or add a blob of whipped cream!
Lemon Impossible Pie! Incredibly easy to make and the flavor is amazing!
Layers of creamy smooth homemade coconut pudding layered between chunks of pineapple on a bed of pineapple-infused lady's fingers and then covered with a wonderful dreamy whipped cream topping. Options to make adult too by adding a splash of malibu! This really is amazing!
Light, fluffy, soft, vanilla custard filled buns. Eat these sweet bread buns warm or cold, I like them just from the oven! Freezer friendly too
Easy Mandarin Dessert. Amazingly easy and so delicious. Simply OUT OF THIS WORLD!
Blueberry and Lemon Trifle. This is just sublime! Layers of fresh Lemon Cake, Creamy Custard and Whipped Cream and of course a generous sprinkling of blueberries throughout.
Amazing Peach Melba Trifle! Dreamy layers of Lady Fingers, creamy vanilla pudding, peaches, raspberry sauce, whipped cream and meringue cookies. It can't get better than this!
Easy Banana Cream Cake Trifle is amazing! Delicious layers of creamy custard, bananas and homemade banana bread, topped off with freshly whipped cream and a sprinkling of white chocolate. Simply delicious!
Easy Strawberry and Coconut Trifle. An incredibly easy and great tasting dessert sure to please!
Traditional Egg Custard Tart with a lovely homemade pastry and a very silky smooth filling. Serve warm or chilled. I love mine chilled! You can also make mini ones in a muffin pan if you prefer!
Easy Fruit Trifle.
A very quick to make easy fruit trifle recipe, uses fresh, canned or frozen fruits. Prep in under 15 minutes. Perfect for dessert or a party!
Creamy Strawberry Coconut Pie.
This Strawberry Coconut Pie is made up of a crispy cookie case, filled with delicious creamy coconut custard, and laced throughout with juicy strawberries.
This Tropical Coconut Pie is made up of a crispy buttery pastry case, filled with delicious creamy coconut custard, and laced throughout with juicy pineapple chunks.
Raspberry Ripple Bread and Butter Pudding, slices of buttered bread, between layers of raspberries & baked in a sweet creamy custard.A delicious traditional British dessert. Serve warm or chilled
Coconut Tarts! These are a wonderful little tart, filled with a moist coconut egg custard filling. Great for the family and if you're making these for a party, be sure to make plenty! Freezer friendly too!
Judy
says:What is custard powder?
Lovefoodies
says:Hi Judy, Custard powder is like Vanilla pudding, so it’s a powder which you mix with milk and it thickens. if you can’t get it, use vanilla pudding mix.