If you have a sweet tooth and a love for delicate, flaky textures combined with luscious creaminess, you are going to fall head over heels for this Puff Pastry Vanilla Custard Cream Squares Recipe. Imagine crisp, golden puff pastry squares hugging a dreamy, smooth vanilla custard cream filling—each bite delivering a perfect balance of buttery crunch and velvety sweetness. It’s a dessert that feels special yet surprisingly simple, perfect for sharing with friends or treating yourself to a little slice of heaven.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Puff Pastry Vanilla Custard Cream Squares Recipe shines because of its straightforward, everyday ingredients that come together to create something truly extraordinary. Each component plays an essential role in the texture, flavor, and look of the final treat.
- Puff pastry sheets: The base of this dish, offering a flaky, buttery crunch that makes these squares irresistible.
- Whole milk: Adds richness and creaminess to the custard, making it silky smooth.
- Vanilla bean or extract: The star flavor, giving the custard that warm, aromatic vanilla note.
- Egg yolks: Provide creaminess and help thicken the custard to the perfect consistency.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the custard just right without overpowering it.
- Cornstarch: Acts as a natural thickening agent, ensuring the custard holds its shape.
- Unsalted butter: Adds a touch of richness and helps to make the custard smooth.
- Heavy whipping cream: Whipped into stiff peaks for a light, fluffy addition to the custard.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens the whipped cream and serves as a delicate dusting garnish.
How to Make Puff Pastry Vanilla Custard Cream Squares Recipe
Step 1: Prepare and Bake the Puff Pastry
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C) and lining two baking sheets with parchment paper to ensure easy cleanup and prevent sticking. Roll out the thawed puff pastry sheets just enough to smooth them and slightly thin the dough, then cut each sheet into 9 equal squares, giving you 18 squares total. Place these on the baking sheets and prick each square multiple times with a fork—this simple trick keeps the pastry from puffing up too much, giving you that perfect crisp layer. Bake until golden, about 12-15 minutes, then set aside to cool completely. This crust sets the stage for the luscious custard to come.
Step 2: Make the Vanilla Custard Base
For the custard, gently heat whole milk and your choice of vanilla bean or vanilla extract in a saucepan until just simmering; the warm milk helps infuse vanilla flavor beautifully. While that’s happening, whisk together egg yolks, granulated sugar, and cornstarch in a bowl until the mix looks smooth and pale. Next, you’ll slowly temper the eggs by whisking the hot milk into the egg yolk mixture bit by bit—this prevents curdling and keeps everything silky. Pour everything back into the saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly for about 5-7 minutes until the custard thickens to a pudding-like consistency. Remove from heat, stir in butter to enrich the texture, and add vanilla extract now if you didn’t use a vanilla bean. Cover with plastic wrap touching the surface to prevent a skin and let it cool before refrigerating until completely chilled.
Step 3: Whip and Fold the Cream
While your custard chills, whip the heavy cream with powdered sugar until stiff peaks form—this airy cream is the perfect light complement to the richer custard. Once the custard has chilled, gently fold in the whipped cream with care, blending the two until you have a smooth, creamy vanilla custard filling that is light but decadent.
Step 4: Assemble the Squares
Carefully slice each puff pastry square horizontally to create two thin layers. Spoon a generous dollop of the vanilla custard cream onto the bottom half and sandwich it with the top layer, gently pressing down. For a final touch, dust the assembled squares with powdered sugar for that perfect bakery-style finish. Now you have a tray of stunning Puff Pastry Vanilla Custard Cream Squares Recipe ready to delight anyone lucky enough to have a bite.
How to Serve Puff Pastry Vanilla Custard Cream Squares Recipe
Garnishes
To elevate the presentation and add extra flair, try dusting the custard squares with a little extra powdered sugar or even a sprinkle of finely chopped toasted almonds for a nutty crunch. Fresh berries like raspberries or blueberries work wonderfully too, providing a pop of color and a fruity contrast that brightens the creamy sweetness.
Side Dishes
Serve these custard squares alongside a cup of rich coffee or tea for a comforting afternoon pick-me-up. If you’re feeling indulgent, a small scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream can turn this dessert into an unforgettable treat for any occasion.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties or special occasions, consider placing the squares on a tiered dessert stand for a stunning visual effect. You might also sandwich the layers with a thin layer of fruit jam or create mini versions in a muffin tin for easy grab-and-go treats. Either way, the Puffy Pastry Vanilla Custard Cream Squares Recipe is a showstopper.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers, store the Puff Pastry Vanilla Custard Cream Squares Recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They’ll stay fresh for up to 2 days, but be aware that the puff pastry might lose some of its crunch the longer it sits.
Freezing
Freezing is not recommended for this particular recipe since the whipped cream and custard filling can become watery and separate upon thawing, which affects texture and flavor. To keep the best experience, enjoy fresh or refrigerated within a couple of days.
Reheating
Because the squares have a creamy filling and flaky pastry, reheating is tricky. If you want slightly warmed pastry, gently heat the puff pastry layers before assembling, but avoid microwaving the assembled squares as it can make the cream filling runny and the pastry soggy.
FAQs
Can I use store-bought custard instead of making the vanilla custard cream?
While store-bought custard can be a shortcut, homemade custard brings a richer and more customized flavor that truly makes this Puff Pastry Vanilla Custard Cream Squares Recipe special. The freshness and control over sweetness make a big difference in the final taste.
Do I have to prick the puff pastry because it’s meant to puff up?
Pricking the dough prevents it from puffing too much, which is important here because you want a flat base to make it easy to slice horizontally and fill with custard. This step ensures you get those crisp, even layers perfect for stacking.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
You can try substituting with plant-based milk like almond or oat milk and a dairy-free butter alternative, but keep in mind it might slightly alter the richness and texture of the custard and puff pastry result.
Is it better to use a vanilla bean or vanilla extract?
Vanilla bean provides fresh, intense flavor with those little vanilla specks that look beautiful in custard, but vanilla extract works perfectly well too and is much easier to find. Both will give you that lovely vanilla essence.
How long does the custard need to chill before assembling?
The custard should be cooled to room temperature first, then chilled in the refrigerator at least 2 hours or until completely cold. This helps it set properly so it holds up nicely when combined with whipped cream and layered in the pastry squares.
Final Thoughts
Making this Puff Pastry Vanilla Custard Cream Squares Recipe is like creating a little box of joy that’s both elegant and comforting. The flaky pastry combined with rich, smooth custard makes every bite memorable, and it’s a dessert that’s sure to impress whether you’re serving family, friends, or treating yourself. So don’t hesitate—gather your ingredients and dive in. You’ll be so glad you did!
Print
Puff Pastry Vanilla Custard Cream Squares Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 50 minutes
- Yield: 18 squares
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Description
Delight in these elegant Puff Pastry Vanilla Custard Cream Squares, featuring crisp, golden puff pastry layered with a rich, creamy vanilla custard whipped with fresh cream. This recipe combines flaky baked pastry with smooth, homemade custard cream for a perfect dessert treat.
Ingredients
Puff Pastry
- 2 sheets of puff pastry, thawed
Vanilla Custard Cream
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 vanilla bean or 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 4 large egg yolks
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
Whipped Cream Topping
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare puff pastry: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to keep the pastry from sticking.
- Roll and cut pastry sheets: Roll out each thawed puff pastry sheet to smooth and slightly thin them. Cut each sheet into 9 equal squares, totaling 18 squares.
- Prepare pastry for baking: Arrange the squares on the baking sheets and prick each multiple times with a fork to prevent them from puffing excessively while baking.
- Bake the puff pastry: Bake in the oven for 12-15 minutes until the pastry is golden brown. Remove and let cool completely before assembling.
- Heat milk and vanilla: In a saucepan over medium heat, warm the milk with the vanilla bean until just simmering. If using vanilla extract, wait to add it later.
- Mix egg yolks and dry ingredients: Whisk together egg yolks, sugar, and cornstarch in a bowl until pale and smooth.
- Temper the egg mixture: Slowly pour the hot milk into the egg yolk mixture while whisking constantly to prevent curdling.
- Cook the custard: Return the combined mixture to the saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring continuously, until it thickens to a pudding-like consistency (about 5-7 minutes).
- Finish and cool custard: Remove from heat, stir in the butter until melted, then add vanilla extract if using. Cover with plastic wrap directly on the surface to avoid skin forming. Cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until thoroughly chilled.
- Whip the cream: Beat the heavy whipping cream with powdered sugar in a chilled bowl until stiff peaks form.
- Combine custard and whipped cream: Gently fold the whipped cream into the chilled custard to create a smooth and creamy filling.
- Assemble the cream squares: Horizontally split each puff pastry square to form two layers. Spoon a generous amount of custard cream on the bottom layer and sandwich with the top layer.
- Optional finishing touch: Dust the assembled squares with powdered sugar before serving for an elegant presentation.
Notes
- Pricking the puff pastry prevents excessive rising and creates a better base for the cream filling.
- Using a vanilla bean imparts a more intense vanilla flavor, but vanilla extract works well as a substitute.
- Ensure custard is fully chilled before folding in whipped cream, for best texture and stability.
- This dessert is best served the day it is assembled, but can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours.
- You can dust the top with powdered sugar or garnish with fresh berries for extra flair.
