Introduction

The classic vanilla slice is a delightful dessert featuring flaky puff pastry layers filled with smooth, creamy vanilla custard and topped with a sweet glaze. It’s a timeless treat that’s perfect for any occasion, offering a balance of textures and rich flavor that home cooks will love.

A square slice of creamy layered dessert sits on a white plate, which rests on a white marbled surface. The dessert has three main layers: a light brown, slightly crumbly base; a thick, smooth middle layer of pale yellow creamy filling; and a top layer of soft, fluffy cake dusted with fine white powdered sugar, giving a delicate textured look. The edges of the layers are neatly stacked, showing clear separation between each one. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

2 sheets store-bought puff pastry, thawed
Flour, for dusting
2 cups whole milk
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch
4 egg yolks
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for custard)
1 cup powdered sugar
2-3 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for glaze)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking dish or tray with parchment paper.
Step 2: Dust a clean surface with flour and roll out one sheet of puff pastry into a rectangle slightly larger than your baking dish. Transfer it carefully to the prepared dish, prick all over with a fork, then bake for 15–20 minutes until golden and crisp. Remove and let cool.
Step 3: To make the custard, heat the milk in a saucepan over medium heat until it just begins to simmer.
Step 4: In a bowl, whisk together sugar, cornstarch, and egg yolks until smooth. Gradually pour the hot milk into the egg mixture while whisking constantly to avoid scrambling.
Step 5: Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Let cool slightly.
Step 6: Spread the cooled custard evenly over the baked pastry in the dish.
Step 7: Roll out the second sheet of puff pastry to the same size as the first and carefully place it over the custard, gently pressing down to adhere.
Step 8: For the glaze, whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract in a small bowl until smooth. Adjust with more milk if necessary.
Step 9: Pour the glaze evenly over the top layer of pastry and spread with a spatula.
Step 10: Refrigerate the assembled vanilla slice for at least 1 hour to set. Cut into squares or rectangles before serving.

Tips & Variations

Use chilled puff pastry and handle it quickly to keep it from becoming too warm and sticky.
For a richer custard, substitute half the milk with cream.
Add a dusting of powdered sugar or a thin layer of melted chocolate instead of glaze for a variation.
Ensure the glaze is smooth and not too runny to get a nice finish on top.

Storage

Store the vanilla slice covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep it chilled to maintain the custard’s texture. To serve, enjoy it cold or let it sit at room temperature for 10 minutes. Reheating is not recommended as it may soften the pastry.

How to Serve

The image shows a square slice of layered dessert on a white plate, set on a white marbled surface. The bottom layer is a thin, light brown crust with a crumbly texture. Above it is a thick, creamy layer of smooth white filling that looks soft and rich. On top of this filling is a light yellow, slightly thicker cream layer that appears delicate and silky. The topmost layer is a square piece of soft, pale sponge cake lightly dusted with powdered sugar, giving it a snowy, textured look. The layers are distinct and even, creating a neat, inviting appearance. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the vanilla slice ahead of time?

Yes, the vanilla slice tastes great when made ahead. Just store it in the fridge and assemble it at least an hour before serving to allow it to set properly.

What can I use if I don’t have cornstarch?

You can substitute cornstarch with an equal amount of all-purpose flour, but the custard may be slightly less smooth and a bit thicker.

Classic Vanilla Slice Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 116 reviews

Classic Vanilla Slice is a delightful layered dessert featuring crisp puff pastry sheets sandwiching a creamy vanilla custard, topped with a smooth vanilla glaze. This treat combines flaky texture with luscious custard, perfect for an elegant afternoon tea or a sweet finish to any meal.

Author: Daniel
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
Yield: 8 servings 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Australian

Ingredients

Scale

For the Pastry:

2 sheets store-bought puff pastry, thawed
Flour, for dusting

For the Vanilla Custard:

2 cups whole milk
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch
4 egg yolks
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Glaze:

1 cup powdered sugar
2–3 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking dish or tray with parchment paper to ensure easy removal of the pastry after baking.
Prepare the Pastry: Dust a clean surface with flour and roll out one sheet of puff pastry into a rectangle slightly larger than the baking dish. Transfer the rolled pastry sheet to the prepared baking dish. Prick the pastry all over with a fork to keep it from puffing up excessively during baking. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown and crisp. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely.
Make the Vanilla Custard: In a saucepan, warm the milk over medium heat until it just begins to simmer. Meanwhile, in a mixing bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, cornstarch, and egg yolks until smooth. Slowly pour the hot milk into the egg yolk mixture while whisking constantly to avoid scrambling the eggs. Return this combined mixture to the saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring continuously, until the custard thickens to a pudding-like consistency. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Let the custard cool slightly before using.
Assemble the Vanilla Slice: Once the first pastry layer is completely cooled, spread the prepared vanilla custard evenly over it in the baking dish. Roll out the second sheet of puff pastry into a rectangle slightly larger than the baking dish. Carefully lay this second pastry sheet over the custard layer and gently press down to adhere the layers together.
Make the Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until you achieve a smooth, pourable consistency. Adjust the thickness by adding more milk if necessary.
Finish and Serve: Pour the vanilla glaze evenly over the top layer of pastry, spreading it gently with a spatula. Place the assembled vanilla slice in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to allow the custard to fully set and the flavors to meld. Once set, use a sharp knife to cut the slice into squares or rectangles. Serve chilled and enjoy this classic dessert.

Notes

Ensure the puff pastry is fully thawed before rolling to avoid cracking.
Pricking the pastry with a fork prevents unwanted puffing, helping to keep the layers flat and even.
Whisking constantly when adding hot milk to the egg yolks prevents curdling.
Cool the custard slightly before spreading to avoid melting the bottom pastry layer.
Refrigeration is important for the slice to set properly, so plan ahead.
For a firmer glaze, reduce the milk slightly; for a thinner glaze, add a bit more.
This dessert is best enjoyed within 2 days when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Keywords: vanilla slice, custard slice, puff pastry dessert, classic vanilla slice, layered dessert