Description
Luscious Vanilla Custard Cream Squares deliver an elegant French-inspired dessert brimming with silky layers of rich vanilla custard nestled between delicate pastry sheets. Creamy textures and sweet perfection invite you to savor each indulgent bite of this classic European treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 cups (946 ml) whole milk
- 8 eggs, separated
- 1 ½ cups (300 g) granulated sugar
- 1 ¼ cups (156 g) all-purpose flour
- 2 cups (480 ml) heavy whipping cream, chilled
Flavoring Ingredients:
- 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons rum (optional)
Finishing Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar, plus more for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C), preparing two baking sheets for the puff pastry sheets.
- Arrange the puff pastry sheets on separate baking sheets, baking for approximately 10 minutes until they transform into a golden-brown hue.
- Remove the pastry sheets from the oven and allow them to cool completely at room temperature.
- In a medium saucepan, heat three cups of milk until it reaches a gentle boil over medium heat.
- Simultaneously, create the custard base by whisking egg yolks and granulated sugar in a large mixing bowl until the mixture becomes pale and creamy.
- Incorporate flour, vanilla extract, and optional rum into the egg yolk mixture, then gradually blend in the remaining one cup of milk until smooth.
- Carefully pour the heated milk into the egg yolk mixture, stirring continuously to prevent curdling.
- Continue stirring the mixture over low heat until the custard thickens to a pudding-like consistency.
- Remove the saucepan from heat and set aside to cool slightly.
- Using an electric mixer, whip the egg whites until they form stiff, glossy peaks.
- Gently fold the whipped egg whites into the custard, maintaining the mixture’s light and airy texture.
- Place one cooled puff pastry sheet at the bottom of a 9×13-inch (23×33 centimeters) baking dish.
- Spread the custard evenly over the pastry sheet, ensuring complete coverage.
- Refrigerate the dish for 1-2 hours until the custard sets completely.
- Whip the heavy cream with powdered sugar until stiff peaks form.
- Spread the whipped cream uniformly over the chilled custard layer.
- Cut the second puff pastry sheet into 15 precise squares.
- Delicately arrange the pastry squares atop the whipped cream layer.
- Return the dessert to the refrigerator and chill for an additional 2 hours.
- Before serving, dust the Vanilla Custard Cream Squares with a light sprinkle of powdered sugar.
Notes
- Precise oven temperature ensures perfectly golden puff pastry sheets without burning.
- Create smooth custard by gradually mixing hot milk into egg yolk mixture to prevent curdling.
- Whip egg whites carefully to maintain their airy volume when folding into custard.
- Chilling time is crucial for setting custard and allowing flavors to meld together completely.
- Layer assembly requires gentle handling to preserve delicate textures of pastry and cream.
- Optional rum adds sophisticated depth to the traditional vanilla custard flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 376 kcal
- Sugar: 28 g
- Sodium: 82 mg
- Fat: 23 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 33 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 210 mg