Step 1: Prepare the Crust
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a slight overhang for easy removal later.
- Make the crust: In a medium-sized bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, granulated sugar, and melted butter. Stir until the mixture is evenly combined and resembles wet sand.
- Press the crust: Pour the graham cracker mixture into the prepared baking pan. Use the back of a spoon or your hands to press the crust firmly and evenly into the bottom of the pan.
- Bake the crust: Place the crust in the preheated oven and bake for 10 minutes, until lightly golden. Remove from the oven and allow it to cool while you prepare the custard.
Step 2: Make the Vanilla Custard
- Whisk the egg yolks: In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and sugar until the mixture is pale and smooth.
- Prepare the cornstarch mixture: In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch with a few tablespoons of the milk to create a smooth slurry. This will prevent lumps from forming in your custard.
- Heat the milk: In a medium saucepan, heat the remaining milk over medium heat until it’s just about to simmer—don’t let it boil.
- Temper the eggs: Slowly pour about ½ cup of the hot milk into the egg mixture, whisking constantly to prevent the eggs from scrambling. Gradually pour the tempered egg mixture back into the saucepan with the remaining milk, whisking as you go.
- Thicken the custard: Stir in the cornstarch mixture and cook over medium-low heat, whisking constantly, until the custard thickens and begins to bubble slightly, about 3-5 minutes. The custard should coat the back of a spoon.
- Add the vanilla and butter: Once the custard is thickened, remove it from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract and butter cubes. Continue stirring until the butter is fully melted and incorporated, giving the custard a rich and silky texture.
Step 3: Assemble the Dessert
- Pour the custard: Carefully pour the warm vanilla custard over the cooled graham cracker crust. Use a spatula to smooth the custard into an even layer.
- Chill: Place the pan in the refrigerator and allow the dessert to chill for at least 4 hours, or until the custard is fully set.
Step 4: Serve and Enjoy
- Cut into squares: Once fully chilled, remove the dessert from the pan using the parchment overhang and transfer it to a cutting board. Use a sharp knife to cut into 9-12 squares, depending on your preferred size.
- Dust with powdered sugar: Just before serving, lightly dust the top of each square with powdered sugar for a beautiful finishing touch.
Customizing Your Vanilla Custard Cream Squares
- Add a fruit topping: Top the custard with fresh berries or a layer of fruit compote for a burst of color and flavor.
- Chocolate drizzle: Drizzle melted chocolate over the squares for an extra indulgent twist.
- Coconut custard: For a tropical variation, stir in ½ cup of shredded coconut into the custard filling.
Final Thoughts
These Vanilla Custard Cream Squares offer the perfect balance of creamy custard and crunchy crust, making them an irresistible dessert for any occasion. Whether you enjoy them as-is or customize them with your favorite toppings, this recipe is sure to become a favorite in your household. So give it a try and impress your guests (or yourself) with this dreamy, indulgent treat!