Vanilla slice
Custard slice between puff pastry with passionfruit icing
AustralianThe vanilla slice, or snot block as Aussie kids call it, is the country bakery's pride; towns like Ouyen in north-west Victoria even hold a yearly competition for the best one. A thick, wobbly vanilla custard is set between two sheets of crisp puff pastry and topped with white or passionfruit icing. It needs a few hours to set but is easy. A common mistake is a soft custard that oozes when cut; it must boil for a full minute to thicken properly. Chef's tip: prick and weigh the pastry down with a tray while baking so it stays flat and thin.
- Total time
- 60 min
- Difficulty
- medium
- Serves
- 12
Ingredients
For the pastry
- 2 sheets ready-rolled puff pastryabout 320 g
For the custard
- 3 ¼ cups full-fat milk
- 1 cup double cream
- 2 ⅛ oz custard powder
- 1 ¾ oz cornflour
- 5 ½ oz caster sugar
- 1 ⅜ oz butter
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
For the icing
- 7 oz icing sugar
- 2 tbsp passionfruit pulpor 1 tbsp water
- ⅓ oz buttermelted
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Method
0/7 doneStep 1: Heat the oven to 400°F (350°F fan). Lay each 2 sheets ready-rolled puff pastry sheet on a lined tray, prick all over, cover with baking paper and a second tray to keep it flat, and bake for 15 minutes. Remove the top tray and bake 5–8 minutes more until golden and crisp. Cool, and trim both to fit a 23 cm square tin.
25 minStep 2: Line the tin with baking paper, leaving an overhang, and lay one pastry sheet in the base.
2 minStep 3: Whisk 2 ⅛ oz custard powder, 1 ¾ oz cornflour and 5 ½ oz caster sugar with a little of the 3 ¼ cups full-fat milk to a smooth paste, then whisk in 4 egg yolks.
3 minStep 4: Heat the rest of the milk and 1 cup double cream until steaming, whisk into the paste, then return to the pan. Whisk over a medium heat until it boils and becomes very thick, then keep whisking for 1 full minute. Take off the heat and beat in 1 ⅜ oz butter and 2 tsp vanilla extract.
10 minStep 5: Pour the hot custard over the pastry base, smooth it and lay the second sheet on top, smooth side up, pressing gently.
3 minStep 6: Mix 7 oz icing sugar, 2 tbsp passionfruit pulp and ⅓ oz butter to a thick, spreadable icing and spread over the top. Chill for at least 4 hours or overnight.
240 minStep 7: Lift out by the paper and cut into 12 slices with a sharp serrated knife, wiping it between cuts.
5 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 340 kcal
- Protein
- 6 g
- Carbs
- 38 g
- Fat
- 18 g
- Fibre
- 0 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does vanilla slice take?
- About 60 minutes in total: 30 minutes to prepare and 30 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 12 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- What can I use instead of full-fat milk?
- Oat, soy or almond milk, same amount (use unsweetened for savoury dishes).
- What can I use instead of double cream?
- Whipping cream, same amount (less rich; whips softer).
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