Making Vanilla Slices can seem daunting, but with this recipe and handy tips, you’ll soon find out, it doesn’t have to be tricky!

You could also try making Vanilla Slices with any of our other Natural Flavoured Icing Sugars!

Ingredients

• 1 pack ready rolled puff pastry (room temp)
• 250g Natural Flavoured Icing Sugar
• 90g corn flour
• 50g custard powder
• 250ml double cream
• 750ml whole milk
• 60g butter (cubed)
• 3 egg yolks lightly whisked
• 150g extra Natural Flavoured Icing Sugar for decoration
• 3tbsp cold water
• Sauce for decoration (flavour/colour of choice)

Equipment

• 2 flat baking sheets
• Heavy bottomed pan
• Large bowl
• Parchment paper
• Clingfilm
• Palette knife
• Cocktail stick

Method

1. Put the cornflour, 250g icing sugar and custard powder into the heavy bottomed pan with half of the milk, then mix until smooth.
2. Add the rest of the milk and cream, and turn the heat on low.
3. Cook until very thick, whisking continuously.
4. Take off the heat and whisk in the cubed butter.
5. Once the butter has melted, whisk in the egg yolks.
6. Pour the custard into a bowl and cover the surface with clingfilm. Leave aside to cool completely.
7. Cut the pastry in half down the middle, do not remove from the paper. Place another sheet of greaseproof on top.
8. Place the pastry between two baking sheets and bake on 170c fan (gas mark 4) for 25-30 mins.
9. Remove the trays and greaseproof paper and leave the pastry to completely cool on a rack.

Assembly

1. Put one piece of pastry onto your serving dish before pouring on the cold custard.
2. Spread the custard evenly and place the second pastry sheet on top.
3. Put your sauce into a piping bag with a small hole.
4. Mix the remaining icing sugar with the cold water to make a thick but spreadable paste.
5. Pour the icing onto the top of the pastry and spread evenly.
6. Pipe the sauce onto the icing in straight lines, then use the cocktail stick to feather.
7. Place in the fridge to set for a minimum of 4hrs.
8. Enjoy!