custard pastries

Here’s a simple recipe for custard pastries:

Ingredients:

• 1 sheet of puff pastry, thawed
• 2 cups milk
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 3 egg yolks
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to the temperature specified on the puff pastry package.
2. Roll out the thawed puff pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface. Cut it into smaller squares or rectangles, depending on your desired pastry size.
3. Place the pastry squares on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake them according to the package instructions until they turn golden brown. Set aside to cool.
4. In a medium saucepan, combine the milk and half of the granulated sugar. Heat over medium heat until it comes to a simmer. Stir occasionally to prevent the milk from scorching.
5. In a separate bowl, whisk together the remaining sugar, flour, and egg yolks until well combined.
6. Slowly pour a small amount of the hot milk into the egg mixture, whisking constantly to temper the eggs. Gradually add the remaining milk, whisking continuously.
7. Pour the mixture back into the saucepan and return it to medium heat. Cook, stirring constantly, until the custard thickens and comes to a gentle boil. This should take about 2-3 minutes.
8. Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Transfer the custard to a bowl and cover it with plastic wrap, pressing the wrap directly onto the surface of the custard to prevent a skin from forming. Allow the custard to cool to room temperature.
9. Once the custard has cooled, fill a piping bag fitted with a small round tip with the custard. If you don’t have a piping bag, you can use a small plastic bag with the corner snipped off.
10. Carefully cut each pastry square in half horizontally. Pipe a generous amount of custard onto the bottom half of each pastry.
11. Place the top halves of the pastries back onto the custard-filled bottoms, pressing gently to secure them.
12. If desired, dust the pastries with powdered sugar before serving.

These custard pastries are best enjoyed fresh. They can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, but the puff pastry may lose some of its crispness over time. Enjoy!