PREP TIME: 20 MINS

COOK TIME: 40 MINS

PLUS COOLING

SERVES: 9

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 sheets puff pastry
• 1 L Devondale Long Life Full Cream Milk
• 60g Devondale Unsalted Butter
• 1 egg (whisked together with the vanilla essence)
• ¾ cup sugar
• ½ cup cornflour
• 4 tbsp custard powder
• 2 tsp vanilla essence
• 150ml Devondale Long Life Full Cream Milk (extra)

ICING:

• 2 cups sifted icing sugar
• 40g softened Devondale Unsalted Butter
• 1 tsp Vanilla essence
• 1-2 tbs hot water

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Preheat your oven to 180ºC.
2. On a biscuit tray, place pastry between 2 sheets of greaseproof paper and place another biscuit tray on top to keep the pastry from rising. Bake the pastry sheets in a moderate oven for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.
3. In a large saucepan, warm the milk, butter and sugar over a medium heat until the butter is melted.
4. Blend the cornflour and custard powder in extra milk until smooth and pour into the saucepan. Turn the heat to high and bring the custard to a boil, stirring continuously to ensure no lumps form.
5. When the custard is thick and smooth, remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the egg and vanilla.
6. Line the base of a 23cm square cake tin and place one sheet of the pastry on the base. While the custard is still hot, pour over the base. Place the other sheet of pastry on top of the custard, pressing down firmly. Set aside to cool slightly. Refrigerate until the custard is firm.

ICING:

1. Combine sifted icing sugar with softened butter, vanilla essence and 1-2 tbsp hot water in a bowl. Mix well until it forms a spreadable consistency.
2. Spread over slice and cut into squares.

Tip: Cut baking paper larger than the tin so that you have an overhang making it easier to remove the slice once set. Ice the slice with a vanilla icing and cut into squares while still in the tin.

Here are a few variations you can try for this custard slice recipe:

1. Fruit Custard Slice: Add a layer of your favorite sliced fruits (such as strawberries, peaches, or berries) on top of the custard layer before placing the second sheet of pastry. This adds a fruity twist to the traditional custard slice.
2. Chocolate Custard Slice: Mix some cocoa powder into the custard mixture to make a chocolate-flavored custard. You can also add chocolate chips or grated chocolate between the custard layers for a decadent chocolate twist.
3. Nutty Custard Slice: Sprinkle chopped nuts (such as almonds, walnuts, or pistachios) over the custard layer before placing the second sheet of pastry. The nutty crunch adds a delightful texture.
4. Citrus Zest Custard Slice: Add some grated lemon or orange zest to the custard mixture for a refreshing citrus flavor. You can also drizzle a citrus glaze over the icing for an extra zing.
5. Caramel Custard Slice: Make a caramel-flavored custard by adding caramel sauce or dulce de leche to the custard mixture. This gives the slice a rich and sweet caramel twist.
6. Coconut Custard Slice: Mix shredded coconut into the custard mixture for a tropical flavor. You can also sprinkle toasted coconut flakes on top of the icing for added texture and taste.
7. Mixed Berry Custard Slice: Instead of using just one type of fruit, mix a variety of berries (such as strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries) for a colorful and flavorful custard slice.
8. Almond Custard Slice: Add almond extract to the custard mixture and sprinkle sliced almonds on top of the icing for a delightful almond-flavored slice.