Vanilla Custard Cream Squares

🍮 Vanilla Custard Cream Squares

These are soft, creamy, and sweet dessert squares—perfect for snack time or a party treat.

Ingredients (makes ~12 squares)

For the crust/base:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour

• ½ cup butter, softened

• ¼ cup sugar

For the custard filling:

• 2 cups milk

• 3 tablespoons cornstarch

• ½ cup sugar

• 2 large egg yolks

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Optional topping:

• Powdered sugar or a drizzle of melted chocolate

Instructions

1. Make the crust/base

   • Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

   • Mix flour, butter, and sugar until crumbly.

   • Press mixture into a greased 8×8-inch baking pan.

   • Bake for 15 minutes or until lightly golden. Let cool slightly.

2. Make the custard filling

   • In a saucepan, combine milk, sugar, and cornstarch. Whisk over medium heat until it thickens.

   • In a small bowl, beat egg yolks. Gradually add a small amount of hot milk mixture to the yolks, whisking constantly (tempering).

   • Pour yolk mixture back into the saucepan and cook 2–3 more minutes until thick.

   • Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.

3. Assemble and chill

   • Pour custard over baked crust and smooth the top.

   • Let it cool to room temperature, then refrigerate at least 2 hours to set.

4. Serve

   • Cut into squares and sprinkle powdered sugar or drizzle chocolate on top if desired.

Tips

• Faster version: Use store-bought vanilla pudding instead of homemade custard for a quicker recipe.

• Flavors: Add a pinch of nutmeg or cinnamon to the custard for extra flavor.

• Storage: Keep refrigerated; best eaten within 2–3 days.

If you want, I can make a super simple 3-ingredient version of Vanilla Custard Cream Squares that’s much faster and still tastes amazing 😄.