Vanilla Custard Bars

Here’s a delightful Vanilla Custard Bars recipe, perfect for a sweet treat!

Ingredients:

For the Crust:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 tsp salt

For the Custard Filling:

• 2 cups milk
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• 4 large egg yolks
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp unsalted butter

For the Whipped Topping:

• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 tbsp powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

Make the Crust:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Prepare the crust: In a bowl, combine the melted butter, sugar, flour, and salt until the mixture resembles wet sand.
3. Press the crust: Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
4. Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Remove from the oven and let it cool completely.

Make the Vanilla Custard:

1. Heat the milk: In a medium saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat until it begins to steam (do not let it boil).
2. Prepare the egg mixture: In a separate bowl, whisk together the sugar, cornstarch, and egg yolks until smooth.
3. Temper the eggs: Slowly pour a small amount of the hot milk into the egg mixture, whisking constantly. Gradually pour the egg mixture back into the saucepan with the remaining milk, whisking continuously.
4. Thicken the custard: Cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens and coats the back of a spoon (about 5-7 minutes).
5. Add flavor: Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract and butter until smooth. Allow the custard to cool slightly.

Assemble the Bars:

1. Spread the custard: Pour the cooled custard evenly over the baked crust. Smooth it out with a spatula.
2. Refrigerate: Cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 2-3 hours, or until the custard is set.

Make the Whipped Topping:

1. Whip the cream: In a large bowl, whip the heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form.
2. Top the custard: Once the custard has set, spread the whipped cream evenly over the top.

Serve:

Slice the Vanilla Custard Bars into squares and serve chilled. You can dust with extra powdered sugar for garnish, or add a few fresh berries if desired.

Enjoy your creamy and delicious Vanilla Custard Bars!