Sure, here’s a recipe for vanilla custard bars that’s delicious and easy to make:
Vanilla Custard Bars Recipe
Ingredients
For the Crust:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter (cold and cut into small cubes)
For the Custard Filling:
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Optional for Garnish:
- Powdered sugar (for dusting)
- Fresh berries (e.g., raspberries or strawberries)
Instructions
1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a bit of an overhang on the sides for easy removal later. Alternatively, lightly grease the pan.
2. Make the Crust:
- In a medium bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, and salt.
- Add the cold, cubed butter to the dry ingredients. Using a pastry cutter or your fingertips, work the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. You can also use a food processor for this step by pulsing the ingredients together.
- Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form the crust.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly.
3. Prepare the Custard Filling:
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs and granulated sugar until well combined and slightly frothy.
- Add the whole milk, heavy cream, vanilla extract, flour, and salt. Whisk until the mixture is smooth and the flour is fully incorporated.
- Pour the custard filling over the pre-baked crust, spreading it evenly.
4. Bake the Custard Bars:
- Return the pan to the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the custard is set and the top is golden. A knife inserted into the center should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
- Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and allow it to cool completely on a wire rack.
5. Chill and Serve:
- For best results, refrigerate the bars for at least 2 hours to allow the custard to fully set and make cutting easier.
- Once chilled, lift the custard bars out of the pan using the parchment paper overhang. Cut into squares or bars.
6. Optional Garnish:
- Dust the tops of the bars with powdered sugar just before serving.
- Garnish with fresh berries for a pop of color and added flavor.
Tips:
- For a richer custard, you can substitute part of the heavy cream with additional whole milk.
- If you prefer a smoother texture, you can strain the custard filling through a fine mesh sieve before pouring it over the crust.
- Experiment with adding a hint of lemon zest or a sprinkle of cinnamon for a unique twist on the classic vanilla flavor.
Enjoy your homemade vanilla custard bars as a delightful dessert or sweet treat with a cup of tea or coffee!
