Classic Vanilla Custard Bars

This recipe serves 9-12 people and requires 40 minutes of active preparation time, with additional inactive time of 3 hours or more.

Here are the ingredients you’ll need:

• 1 package (16 oz.) of store-bought puff pastry, containing 2 sheets and thawed
• 1 1/2 cups of whole milk
• 1 1/2 cups of heavy cream
• 1/2 cup of water
• 2/3 cup of caster sugar or superfine sugar
• 1/3 cup of all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) of unsalted butter, cubed
• 6 egg yolks, beaten
• 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
• Powdered sugar, as needed for dusting

Here’s how to prepare it:

1. Preheat your oven to 350ºF. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper, ensuring a 2-inch overhang on both sides.
2. Unroll the puff pastry sheets onto the lined baking sheets. Use a fork to gently prick all over the dough without piercing the bottom.
3. Optionally, top each puff pastry sheet with parchment paper and another baking sheet to act as a weight and prevent inflation.
4. Bake the pastry sheets in the preheated oven for 20-22 minutes or until golden brown. Allow them to cool completely.
5. Optionally, use a serrated knife to trim the edges off the puff pastry to fit into the 9×13-inch baking dish. Place one sheet of puff pastry in the dish.
6. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, whisk together the milk, cream, butter, vanilla, and sugar until bubbles appear around the edge of the pan, just before boiling.
7. Whisk together the flour and water to create a slurry, then whisk it into the hot milk mixture. Remove the pan from the heat.
8. Temper the beaten egg yolks by whisking in a little of the hot milk mixture. Then, while the saucepan is off the heat, whisk the yolks into the mixture until combined.
9. Return the saucepan to the heat and bring it to a boil. While whisking continuously, cook for 30-60 seconds until the custard thickens.
10. Pour the thickened custard over the puff pastry in the 9×13-inch baking dish, then top it with the second sheet of puff pastry (trimmed to fit the dish). Gently press down to ensure the pastry adheres.
11. Refrigerate the baking dish until the custard is set, which takes approximately 3-4 hours.
12. When ready to serve, dust the pastry with powdered sugar, slice, and serve.