Vanilla slice

Ingredients :

3 ready rolled frozen puff pastry sheets, thawed
 

Custard :
Caster sugar - 1/2 cup
Custard powder - 1/2 cup
Thickened cream - 1 cup
Vanilla bean paste - 1 tsp
Milk - 1 1/2 cups

Icing :
Butter, softened - 1 tbsp
Vanilla bean paste - 1 tsp
Icing sugar - 1 1/2 cups
Hot water - 1 tbsp
70% dark chocolate, melted, to decorate - 100g
Icing sugar, to decorate - 1/2 cup

Method :


1) Preheat oven to 180°C.
2) Grease and baking-paper line an 18cm x 18cm baking pan.
3) Cut pastry sheets into three 18cm x 18cm squares and place onto baking paper-lined oven trays. Prick pastry with a fork and bake for 20–25 minutes or until pastry is golden. Place onto a wire racks to cool.
4) For custard, place sugar, custard powder and half the cream into a saucepan and stir continuously over a medium heat until mixture boils and thickens. Stir in vanilla bean paste.
5) Gradually add milk and remaining cream, whisking until thick. Remove from heat and pour into a large bowl. Cover custard with cling film to prevent skin forming and place in the fridge to cool.
6) For icing, beat butter, vanilla, icing sugar and water with a fork in a medium bowl until smooth.
7) To assemble, trim edges of pastry if necessary and layer one sheet in the base of prepared pan. Place half of the custard on top of pastry and spread evenly. Repeat with second layer of pastry and remaining custard. Top slice with third sheet of pastry and spread icing over the top.
8) To serve, arrange a piece of vanilla slice on a serving plate, drizzle with chocolate sauce and dust with icing sugar.