Dreamy Vanilla Custard Slice Recipe for Sweet Indulgence

Sweet memories often dance around a classic custard slice that brings comfort and joy to many kitchen tables.

Layers of delicate pastry and smooth, creamy filling create a dessert that feels like a warm hug.

Delightful textures mingle in each perfect bite, promising pure satisfaction.

Crisp, golden puff pastry cradles the silky custard with elegant simplicity.

Butter and vanilla whisper promises of indulgence that will make your taste buds sing.

Simple ingredients come together in a magical transformation that seems almost effortless.

You can totally nail this recipe and impress everyone with your baking skills.

Why Mary Berry Custard Slice Recipe Is A Creamy Classic

• Craft Delicate Layers: Build a stunning dessert with multiple pastry and custard layers that create a sophisticated texture and visual appeal.
• Master Pastry Technique: Learn classic puff pastry technique with strategic folding and chilling, developing professional baking skills in your own kitchen.
• Perfect for Special Gatherings: Impress guests with an elegant dessert that looks professionally made, ideal for afternoon tea, family celebrations, or sophisticated dinner parties.
• Customize with Creativity: Add personal touches by experimenting with chocolate drizzle designs or adjusting icing consistency to match your artistic style.

What You’ll Need For Mary Berry Custard Slice Recipe

• Flour: A key ingredient that provides structure for the delicate pastry layers.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the pastry dough.
• Butter: Creates rich, flaky layers with a smooth, creamy texture.

• Egg Yolks: Provide richness and help thicken the creamy custard.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps balance the overall flavor.
• Cornflour: Ensures a smooth and stable custard consistency.
• Milk: Forms the primary liquid base for the silky custard.
• Vanilla: Adds a warm, aromatic flavor to the custard.

• Icing Sugar, Water: Creates a smooth, sweet glaze for the top of the custard slice.
• Chocolate: Used for decorative lines and enhancing visual appeal.

How To Make Mary Berry Custard Slice Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Flaky Pastry Dough

Create a tender pastry base by mixing flour and salt in a large bowl. Gently work in the butter using your fingertips, first incorporating a third of the butter, then adding the remaining butter in small chunks. This technique ensures a wonderfully flaky texture.

Step 2: Bring Dough Together

Slowly add cold water to the flour mixture, carefully mixing until a smooth dough forms. The key is to add water sparingly, ensuring the dough comes together without becoming too wet.

Step 3: Create Pastry Layers

Roll the dough into a rectangular shape. Fold the dough in thirds like a letter, creating multiple layers. Chill the dough for 10 minutes to relax the gluten and firm up the butter. Repeat this roll-fold-chill process three more times to develop those signature flaky layers.

Step 4: Whip Up Creamy Custard

• Egg yolks
• Sugar
• Cornflour

Gently heat milk with vanilla in a separate pan. Slowly pour the warm milk into the egg mixture, whisking constantly to prevent scrambling. Return the mixture to the pan and cook until it thickens to a smooth, creamy consistency.

Step 5: Finish Custard Filling

Stir butter into the warm custard until fully incorporated. Cover and refrigerate to cool completely.

Step 6: Bake Pastry Sheets

Preheat the oven to 220°C (425°F). Line baking trays with parchment paper. Divide the pastry dough in half and roll each piece into a rectangle approximately 20cm long and 5mm thick. Chill briefly before baking.

Bake the pastry sheets until they turn a beautiful golden brown. Allow to cool completely.

Step 7: Assemble Custard Slice

Place one pastry sheet in a lined baking tin. Spread the chilled custard evenly across the pastry. Carefully top with the second pastry sheet.

Step 8: Create Elegant Topping

Mix icing sugar with a small amount of water to create a smooth glaze. Spread evenly over the top pastry layer.

Step 9: Add Decorative Touches

Pipe delicate chocolate lines across the icing. Use a toothpick to create a feathered pattern by dragging it through the lines.

Step 10: Final Chill and Serve

Refrigerate the custard slice until completely set. Slice into elegant portions and serve chilled.

Helpful Tips For Mary Berry Custard Slice Recipe

• Prevent Soggy Pastry: Pat pastry sheets dry with paper towels before baking to remove excess moisture and ensure crisp, flaky layers.
• Smooth Custard Technique: Strain custard through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any lumps, creating a silky-smooth filling.
• Temperature Control: Let pastry sheets cool completely before assembling to prevent soggy bottoms and maintain structural integrity.
• Precision Cutting: Use a sharp, clean knife dipped in hot water for clean, neat slices without crushing the delicate pastry layers.
• Flavor Boost: Add a pinch of ground nutmeg or orange zest to the custard for a subtle, sophisticated twist on the classic recipe.

Tasty Twists On Mary Berry Custard Slice Recipe

• Gluten-Free Custard Slice: Replace wheat flour with almond or rice flour for a celiac-friendly version. Use gluten-free pastry mix to maintain flaky texture.
• Dairy-Free Alternative: Swap milk with coconut or almond milk. Use coconut cream instead of butter for a rich, creamy custard without dairy.
• Low-Sugar Option: Substitute sugar with stevia or monk fruit sweetener. Reduce overall sugar content while maintaining the dessert's classic flavor profile.
• Vegan Pastry Slice: Create plant-based custard using silken tofu, plant milk, and cornstarch. Use vegan puff pastry sheets for a cruelty-free dessert alternative.

Pairing Ideas For Mary Berry Custard Slice Recipe

• Savor Sweet Sips: A delicate Moscato d'Asti complements the creamy custard's vanilla notes, its light bubbles cutting through the richness perfectly.
• Nutty Nibble Companion: Roasted almonds or pistachio biscotti create a delightful textural contrast, enhancing the pastry's buttery layers and smooth custard.
• Citrus Zest Refresh: A small glass of limoncello provides a bright, tangy counterpoint to the sweet dessert, cleansing the palate between bites.
• Temperature Twist: Serve the custard slice slightly chilled alongside a room-temperature dessert wine to maximize flavor complexity and enjoyment.

How To Store Mary Berry Custard Slice Recipe Properly

• Seal custard slice in an airtight container and keep refrigerated for up to 3 days. Place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.
• Wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe container. Freeze for maximum 2 months. Label with date.
• Transfer frozen slice to refrigerator overnight. Allow gradual defrosting to maintain pastry's crisp texture and prevent soggy bottom.
• Warm slice briefly at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving. Avoid microwave to preserve delicate pastry crispness.

Mary Berry Custard Slice Recipe FAQs

• Why do I need to fold and chill the pastry multiple times?

The repeated folding creates multiple layers of butter and pastry, which results in a flaky, light texture with delicate, crisp layers that give the custard slice its signature buttery, melt-in-your-mouth quality.

• How can I tell if my custard is cooked correctly?

The custard is ready when it thickens and coats the back of a spoon, and you can draw a line through it with your finger that holds its shape without running back together immediately.

• What's the best way to get clean, neat slices?

Use a sharp knife dipped in hot water and wiped clean between each cut to ensure smooth, precise edges without dragging or crushing the delicate pastry layers.

Custard Slice Recipe

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4.8 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 75 mins
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Mouthwatering custard slice elevates classic dessert with silky layers of creamy goodness. Sweet pastry and velvety custard create a delightful treat you’ll savor down to the last delectable bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients (Pastry and Filling):

• 225 grams (8 ounces) plain flour
• 200 grams (7 ounces) butter, chilled and cut into cubes
• 500 milliliters (18 fluid ounces) milk
• 4 egg yolks
• 1 vanilla pod
• 100 grams (3.5 ounces) caster sugar
• 40 grams (1.5 ounces) cornflour

Thickening and Binding Ingredients:

• 12 teaspoons salt
• 140–160 milliliters (5–5.5 fluid ounces) water
• 40 grams (1.5 ounces) butter

Topping and Decoration:

• 200 grams (7 ounces) icing sugar
• 5 teaspoons water
• 50 grams (2 ounces) dark chocolate, melted

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Instructions

1. Prepare the pastry dough by combining flour and salt, then incorporate butter in two stages – first a third, then the remaining chunks.
2. Gradually introduce water to form a cohesive dough, ensuring even hydration.
3. Transform the dough into a rectangular shape, executing a precise tri-fold technique, then refrigerate for 10 minutes to relax gluten.
4. Repeat the roll-fold-chill process three additional times to develop flaky, layered pastry.
5. Create custard base by whisking egg yolks with sugar and cornflour until smooth and pale.
6. Gently warm milk with vanilla, then gradually stream into yolk mixture while continuously whisking to prevent curdling.
7. Return custard to pan, cooking over medium heat until thickened and coating the back of a spoon, approximately 3-5 minutes.
8. Incorporate butter into custard, creating a luxurious texture, then refrigerate to cool completely.
9. Preheat oven to 220C (425F), preparing baking trays with parchment paper.
10. Divide pastry into two equal portions, rolling each to precise 20cm x 8in x 5mm dimensions, then chill to maintain structure.
11. Bake pastry sheets until golden brown and crisp, approximately 15-20 minutes, then allow complete cooling.
12. Assemble dessert by positioning first pastry layer in serving tin, spreading custard evenly across surface.
13. Carefully place second pastry sheet atop custard, creating a elegant layered presentation.
14. Prepare glossy icing by mixing powdered sugar with water until smooth.
15. Drizzle icing across top layer, creating an elegant finish.
16. Optional: Pipe delicate chocolate lines and feather with toothpick for decorative effect.
17. Refrigerate until fully set, then slice into precise portions and serve chilled.

Notes

• Butter Temperature Matters: Keep butter cold and in small chunks for a flakier, more delicate pastry texture that melts in your mouth.
• Gentle Milk Heating: Warm milk slowly and steadily to prevent scorching, ensuring a smooth, silky custard without lumps.
• Pastry Chilling Technique: Frequent chilling between roll and fold stages helps develop those gorgeous, delicate layers that create incredible crispness.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Substitute regular flour with a gluten-free blend to make this dessert accessible for those with wheat sensitivities, maintaining similar texture and taste.

• Prep Time: 60 mins
• Cook Time: 15 mins
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: British

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 340
• Sugar: 25 g
• Sodium: 900 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 13 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0.3 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 115 mg