Easy Vanilla Slices Recipes

VANILLA SLICE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to hot (200 degrees celsius, fan-forced).
• Grease and line a square cake tin with baking paper (approx 20 x 20cm). Leave sides of baking paper longer so you can lift slice out using the paper.
• Cut two frozen puff pastry sheets so they are just a little larger than the cake tin.
• Grease and line two baking trays with baking paper. Place a puff pastry square on each tray and then add another layer of baking paper on top of the pastry square.
• Place another baking tray on top of each tray (to flatten the pastry during the baking process) and place in the oven. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.
• Allow to cool and then place one sheet of puff pastry into the prepared cake tin. Trim the sides a little with a sharp knife to fit if necessary.
• Prepare custard filling by combining dessert mix, milk and cream. Whisk until mixture thickens.
• Pour custard mix into the cake tin on top of the first pastry layer and smooth out evenly using the back of a metal spoon. Place the second pastry sheet on top of the custard mixture and press down gently. Place into fridge for half an hour.
• Combine icing sugar, butter, half of the boiling water and pink food colouring. Whisk to combine and continue adding water gradually until you have a mixture that's just runny enough to pour.
• Pour icing over top of slice and smooth out evenly with a butter knife. Place slice back in fridge to set for another half hour.
• When set, ease the entire slab of slice from the tin using the overhanging paper. Slice into 9 squares using a sharp serrated knife.
• Store in the fridge for up to three days.

VANILLA SLICE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Unfold puff pastry sheets, and place flat onto baking sheets. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until lightly browned and puffed. Set aside.
• Combine the sugar, custard powder and cornstarch in a large saucepan. Mix in just enough milk to form a paste, then gradually mix in the rest. This will prevent lumps from forming. Add the butter. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently until thick. You may need to use a whisk to ensure a smooth consistency. When the mixture comes to a simmer, cook stirring constantly for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat, and stir in the egg yolks and vanilla.
• Line a 9 inch baking dish with aluminum foil. Place one of the baked pastry sheets in the bottom of the dish. Spread the custard filling in an even layer over the pastry, and top with the other sheet.
• Mix the confectioners' sugar with 1 tablespoon of milk, and a dash of vanilla to make an icing. Spread over the top of the pastry. Refrigerate until the custard layer is firm. Remove from the pan and slice.

EASY CHEAT'S VANILLA SLICE RECIPE

Steps:

• Pour the milk and cream into a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer. Add the vanilla instant dessert mix and beat until thick and creamy (around 1-2 mins).
• Line a square baking dish with baking paper and place a 3x3 grid of SAO biscuits into the tray. Pour whipped dessert mix into the centre, gently pressing it out towards the edges and smoothing out the top as you go.
• Top with another 3x3 grid of SAO biscuits. Pop in the fridge for 1 hour to set.
• Sprinkle with icing sugar, then cut into slices by gently running a knife between the biscuits.

EASY VANILLA SLICES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 F / 200 C. Unfold puff pastry sheets, and place flat onto baking sheets. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until lightly browned and puffed. (I am not able to buy whole sheets of puff pastry so in my photos you will see 'square' shapes of pastry!) When cool enough to handle place the pastry on to a cutting board and cut rectangles of even sizes. You need 12 rectangles. Once cut, set aside.
• ** Remember, there will be a bottom layer and a top layer of pastry. I cut my pastry in to approx 5 inches (12.5 cm) long by 2.5 inches (6 cm) wide, so I had 12 rectangles.
• In a pan, add the sugar, custard powder, cornstarch and some of the measured milk to combine to a thick paste. Then add the remaining milk. Place on a medium heat and keep stirring until thick. Add the butter and combine. When the custard starts to simmer, remove from the heat and add the vanilla extract and then the egg yolk, and stir very well. Allow to cool.
• Line a suitable baking dish with aluminum foil and also up the sides of the dish so you can lift the slices out later. Place 6 of the baked pastry rectangles in the bottom of the dish, pack them so they are a tight fit. If you don't have a pan to fit the rectangles, you can use the foil and bring it up the side to keep the custard from spilling off the pastry. The photo below shows you I had to do that with the foil as my pan was too big.
• Spread the custard filling in an even layer over the pastry, then place the other pieces of pastry on top. Select the nicest side to make the surface!
• In a cup, add the powdered sugar and milk, and vanilla extract and stir until a paste. Spread this icing over the top of the pastry. I use a brush so it is even. Place the slices in the fridge until set. When firm, use the sides of the foil and lift from the dish, and slice to the sizes you wish.
• When ready to serve, top with strawberries or leave as they are.