French Vanilla Slice Recipe - Eatability (2024)

Whilst this may be a classic French patisserie favourite, it isn’t necessarily as difficult as it looks.

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This recipe gives you an easy and convenient way to make a classic French vanilla slice.

Also known as a vanilla slice, a custard slice, Napoleon and even a mille-feuille – this is a great teatime treat.

French Vanilla Slice Recipe - Eatability (1)

What Do You Need?

For this French vanilla slice recipe, you will need a stand mixer or a mixing bowl with an electric hand whisk. You will also need a cake tin that measures approximately 20 cm by 20cm.

If you don’t have an Electric Hand Whisk, maybe it’s time to buy one? These are such incredibly useful small appliances. Click here for more information and prices.

To prepare the pastry sheets, you will need four baking trays and plenty of parchment paper.

To cut the slice into even squares, you will need a very sharp knife. A spatula will be useful when it comes to spreading out the custard layer and the icing.

Do you enjoy baking? Then perhaps you’ll like our Cinnamon Scrolls Recipe

Tips And Tricks

This recipe gives you a quicker, more convenient way to make French vanilla slices than the traditional method.

Make sure you follow these tips and tricks to ensure that your slice is perfect every time.

  • Preparing the Pastry – When you cut your pastry sheets to size, it is better to make them slightly too big than too small. You can trim the edges off after they are cooked if need be, but if they are too small then the custard filling will spill down the edges and your slice will be a mess. Make sure that you weigh the pastry sheets down with the additional baking trays whilst cooking. If you don’t, they will puff up and you will have to start again.
  • Making the Filling – Make sure that you follow the instructions on the pack of vanilla dessert mix that you are using. Whisk the ingredients enough to thicken them, but do not over whisk.
  • Setting – Leave the slice to set in the refrigerator for at least half an hour. If you end up setting it for longer by accident then this is not a problem. The slice will be easier to remove from the tin and easier to cut if it has had plenty of setting time.
  • Cutting – When it is time to cut the slice into squares, make sure that your knife is very sharp. Otherwise, it will put too much pressure on the top and force the custard filling to spill out of the sides.

Feel like a bowl of Chinese-style noodles? Our Pork Chow Mein is ready in minutes

How Can You Customise This Recipe?

This recipe is designed to give you the easiest way to make a French vanilla slice. There are a few changes you can make if you want to.

  • Scratch Cooking – If you prefer cooking things from scratch rather than using convenient methods, you could try making your own pastry. You could also make your own custard filling from scratch. It will need to be thicker and more set than regular custard in order to hold its shape.
  • Flavour – This recipe uses a classic vanilla custard flavour filling. However, you could experiment with different fillings by using different dessert mixes. Butterscotch, banana, chocolate or strawberry would all work well. If you are making your own custard filling from scratch, you could flavour it using various extracts like vanilla, orange, lemon, almond or whatever you fancy.
  • Colour – White or pink icing is traditional but you can use whatever food colouring you want.

If you’re after an indulgent, but easy to make dessert, see our recipe for Toblerone Cheesecake

French Vanilla Slice Recipe - Eatability (2)

French Vanilla Slice Recipe

0.0 from 0 votes

Recipe by Dylan Cole

Course: DessertCuisine: Home Baking/Patisserie

Servings

9

servings

Cooking time

20

minutes

Calories

632

kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 sheets Frozen Puff Pastry

  • 2 packs Vanilla Dessert Mix

  • 600 ml Thickened Cream

  • 0.66 ml Full cream milk

  • 1.5 cups (plus extra for dusting) Icing sugar

  • 15 g Butter

  • 1.5 tbsp Boiling Water

  • 2-3 drops Food Coloring (optional)

Directions

  • Preheat the oven to 390 degrees fahrenheit. Prepare a 20cm by 20cm cake tin by lining it with parchment paper. If you leave some parchment paper sticking out from the side then it will make it easier to remove the slice afterwards.
  • Take the two sheets of frozen puff pastry. Cut each one so that it is about the same size as the tin and will fit inside. The two sheets of pastry need to be the same size.
  • Prepare two baking trays by greasing them and lining them with parchment paper. Place one of the pastry sheets on each tray, and then cover with another sheet of parchment paper. Place another baking tray on top of each one to keep them nice and flat.
  • Bake both pastry sheets in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until they have turned golden brown in color. Allow them to cool, then remove them from the baking trays. Place one sheet of cooked pastry in the bottom of the prepared cake tin. If it is a little too big then trim the edges as needed.
  • Next, you need to make the custard filling. Combine the vanilla dessert mix with the thickened cream and the full cream milk. Whisk the ingredients together in a bowl until they have formed a nice thick, smooth consistency.
  • Pour the custard filling over the pastry sheet in the cake tin. Use the back of a spoon to spread the filling and make sure that the surface is nice and even. Place the second sheet of puff pastry on top of the custard filling. Press down gently to evenly distribute the custard.
  • Place the cake tin in the refrigerator for half an hour to allow the custard filling to set. Just before you remove the cake tin from the refrigerator, you can make the icing.
  • Combine the icing sugar, butter and half of the boiling water. Whisk the ingredients together. If you are using food coloring, add it now. If the icing is too thick, keep adding the water gradually until it becomes runny enough to be poured.
  • With the slice still in the cake tin, pour the icing over the top. Use a butter knife or a spatula to spread the icing out evenly and make it smooth. Return the cake tin to the refrigerator for another half an hour to set the icing.
  • Once the icing is set, remove the cake tin from the refrigerator. Carefully transfer the vanilla slice from the cake tin onto a plate or chopping board. Use a very sharp knife to cut the vanilla slice into 9 equal pieces. Dust with additional icing sugar if you want to.
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French Vanilla Slice Recipe - Eatability (3)

When it comes to great places to eat in Australia, the list really is endless. There are so many different restaurants, cafés, and chains to try that you really are spoiled for choice. From Italian food, to Japanese food, to a good ‘ole rump steak, the food options are endless.

This is why I decided to set up my blog, Eatability, to share the best food and drink spots in Australia with as many people as possible. Hi, my name is Dylan Cole, and I moved to Australia five years ago from England, UK.

Through this blog, I will be sharing and recommending some of my favorite places you need to visit, such as where to find the best pizza in Adelaide, and the best bakery in Brisbane. Whatever food you are fancying, I have got you covered!

French Vanilla Slice Recipe - Eatability (4)

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French Vanilla Slice Recipe - Eatability (2024)

FAQs

How do you cut a vanilla slice without squashing it? ›

If you're cutting smaller slices, the custard is more likely to be squashed out, so use a small serrated knife. Cut with a sawing motion with the knife pointing down, slicing through the pastry without pressing downwards on it. Even better if you have an electric knife!

What is the difference between vanilla slice and French vanilla slice? ›

In summary, the difference between vanilla and French vanilla comes down to the addition of egg yolks and the custardization process, which gives French vanilla a richer, creamier taste and a slightly yellow color.

Which bakery won the best vanilla slice? ›

North End Bakehouse in Shepparton made history when they were awarded the two top prizes at Baking Association of Australia's (BAA) Baking Show on February 24. “They are now the official bakery that's has The Australia's Best Hot Cross Bun and The Australia's Best Vanilla Slice for 2024,” BAA stated.

What is the difference between a vanilla slice and a bavarian slice? ›

However, the Bavarian Slice is a little more indulgent, and dare I say posher, than the slightly plainer custard slice with its layer of jam sat snugly beneath a creamier filling. The icing is also usually finished with the classic feathering pattern too.

How do you cut cake slices to achieve neatest results? ›

Hot water is your friend

Be sure to dry the knife thoroughly, then cut your slices while the knife is still slightly warm to the touch. The warm knife will cut through the frosting like butter! The slices will be neat and clean, leaving all the frosting exactly where it's supposed to be.

What to use instead of lattice biscuits for vanilla slices? ›

Tip: If you're missing Lattice biscuits (like us), then turn. to SAO biscuits or Julie's Sugar Crackers. They're a. great alternative!

What is vanilla slice called in America? ›

'thousand-sheets'), also known by the names Napoleon in North America, vanilla slice in the United Kingdom, and custard slice, is a French dessert made of puff pastry layered with pastry cream. Its modern form was influenced by improvements made by Marie-Antoine Carême.

Why is vanilla slice called snot block? ›

A rose by any other name

Replacing the plain English name (vanilla slice, custard block) with an irreverent and outrageous moniker (“snot block” or “phlegm sandwich”) is standard practice in Australia, where informality and a lack of pretence are hallmarks of the vernacular.

Does vanilla slice need to be refrigerated? ›

Custard slice or vanilla slice is best eaten the day it's made because the custard will soften the puff pastry quickly. However, you can keep vanilla slice for 3-4 days in an airtight container in the fridge.

How do bakers cut vanilla slice? ›

The key to cutting it without squishing the custard is to use a serrated knife (like a bread knife), first to gently cut back and forth through the icing and top layer of puff pastry, then switch to a sharp chef knife to cut through the custard and base pastry layer.

What do Victorians call a vanilla slice? ›

Australia's vanilla slice, a cherished local creation central to bakery culture in Victoria and popular at school tuckshops and rural eateries across the nation, is also known as a "snot block".

What is a French vanilla slice called? ›

Mille-feuille (pronounced meel-foy) is a type of French pastry that is otherwise known as vanilla or custard slice. It is made from layers of thin puff pastry that is alternated with a cream filling and topped with a ganache.

Is a mille feuille the same as a vanilla slice? ›

A vanilla slice is usually a very thick slab of custard sandwiched between two thin puff sheets. A mille feuille is more decorative, could have multiple custard (or diplomat cream) layers and looks very sophisticated. It is one of the simplest things you can make with a puff sheet, yet looks so elegant!

What pastry are vanilla slices made from? ›

Vanilla slice is a pastry comprising a thick layer of vanilla custard sandwiched between puff pastry and topped with icing sugar or thinly iced.

Can you freeze a vanilla slice? ›

Cutting the slice - for best results, leave the slice in the fridge overnight and cut whilst still in the tin. Storing - vanilla custard slice can be stored in the fridge for 3-4 days, however the pastry layers will soften the longer the slice is in the fridge. Freezing - this slice is not suitable for freezing.

How do bakers cut vanilla slices? ›

The key to cutting it without squishing the custard is to use a serrated knife (like a bread knife), first to gently cut back and forth through the icing and top layer of puff pastry, then switch to a sharp chef knife to cut through the custard and base pastry layer.

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