Description
Hungarian Custard Slice, known as Krémes, is a classic layered dessert made with crisp puff pastry and a thick, creamy vanilla custard filling. This elegant chilled pastry is light, smooth, and beautifully finished with powdered sugar.
Ingredients
- 2 sheets puff pastry, thawed if frozen
- 1 liter whole milk
- 6 large eggs, separated
- 200 g granulated sugar
- 80 g cornstarch or all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons powdered sugar, for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F).
- Place each puff pastry sheet on a parchment-lined baking tray and prick all over with a fork.
- Bake the pastry sheets for 12 to 15 minutes until golden and crisp. Allow them to cool completely.
- In a saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat until hot but not boiling.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk the egg yolks with half of the granulated sugar until pale and creamy.
- Add the cornstarch or flour and whisk until smooth.
- Slowly pour the warm milk into the egg mixture while whisking continuously.
- Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until thick and creamy.
- Remove the custard from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
- In a clean bowl, beat the egg whites with the remaining sugar until stiff peaks form.
- Gently fold the whipped egg whites into the warm custard until light and airy.
- Place one puff pastry sheet into a baking dish.
- Spread the custard evenly over the pastry layer.
- Top with the second pastry sheet.
- Refrigerate for at least 4 hours until fully chilled and set.
- Dust generously with powdered sugar before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Store-bought puff pastry works perfectly and saves preparation time.
- Cornstarch creates a smoother and lighter custard texture than flour.
- Cutting the top pastry sheet into squares before assembling helps with cleaner slicing later.
- For extra richness, use half milk and half cream in the custard.
- Lemon zest can be added for a brighter flavor.
- Serve chilled for the best texture and presentation.
- Freezing is not recommended because the custard texture may change.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Hungarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 340
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 170mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 150mg
