How to Make an Easy Vanilla Slice Using Instant Pudding Mix
If you’re a fan of classic desserts like Vanilla Slice but don’t have the time or skill to make it from scratch, this post is for you.
You can create an easy vanilla slice using instant vanilla pudding mix and other basic ingredients. This method significantly reduces your preparation time and produces an incredibly tasty result that your family will enjoy with friends and dinner guests.
Vanilla Slice. Credit: canva
So if you’re looking for a fast and simple yet yummy dessert recipe that can be whipped up in no time, keep reading!
Why Using Instant Pudding Instead of Homemade Custard
Vanilla slice, sometimes called custard slice, is one of those desserts that can be tricky to make.
Using instant vanilla pudding mix or custard powder is quick and easy. This easy version has all the taste without making a custard from scratch.
Instant Pudding Mix Vs. Custard Powder
What is an instant pudding mix?
Instant pudding is a pre-made mixture of sugar, milk solids (like cornstarch), flavoring, and stabilizers.
This gives you an instant vanilla slice by using the ingredients already mixed in the package, which saves time for cooking them! This recipe can also use instant pudding flavors, like chocolate or banana flavor.
The ingredients for the basic version of the instant pudding mix are cornstarch, sugar, salt, and artificial flavors. The milk-based mixture allows it to thicken when heated instead of turning into a watery consistency that would not work in our recipe.
Instant pudding mix will save you time cooking custard from scratch, which can be tricky for new cooks or those with limited time.
What is custard powder?
Custard powder is the powdered form of custard and can be used in recipes to make the vanilla slice. This starch is colored and available in various fruit flavors, vanilla and chocolate.
So, how does the custard’s texture change from powder? This is when a hot liquid is added to give it that unique custard feel.
It has a specific, starch-like aftertaste that isn’t to everyone’s liking. That is one of the reasons instant pudding has become more popular in the last few years.
Mixing vanilla pudding. Credit: canva
Recipes
Here are several of my favorite recipes.
Vanilla Slice with Instant Pudding and Puff Pastry Easy Recipe
Ingredients:
2 sheet puff pastry (thawed)
300 ml milk
600 ml thickened cream
2 packs of Cottee instant pudding mix
1/4 cup pure icing sugar
Method:
Preheat the oven to 210°C. Line a baking tray with baking paper.
Line a slice of tin with baking paper and set it aside.
Bake pastry sheets for 10-15 minutes or until puffed and just golden. When you remove them from the oven, place a tray on top of the sheet to flatten it. Leave it to cool.
Mix the milk, cream, and pudding mix in a side bowl until thick.
Cut one pastry sheet to fit the base of the slice tin and place it in the tin.
Pour the custard mixture into the slice tin and smooth it out evenly.
Cut the second sheet of pastry and put it on top.
Refrigerate for 3 hours, then sprinkle with sifted icing sugar before serving.
Slice into squares or rectangles using a serrated knife once cooled to room temperature.
Vanilla Slice Made with SAO Biscuits and Instant Pudding Mix – No Baking
Ingredients:
Slice
200g packet SAO biscuits or Lattice biscuits (or any flat-square biscuit will work)
600 ml cream
100g packet Vanilla Pudding mix
Passionfruit Icing
1 cup icing sugar
2 passionfruit pulp
1 tablespoon butter (softened)
Method:
Line a 20 x 30cm lasagna dish with baking paper.
Layer with 8 Lattice biscuits flat side up.
Mix cream and pudding until thick in a bowl using electric beaters.
Spoon the creamy mixture over the biscuit base.
Top with another layer of biscuits, shiny side up.
Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before topping with passionfruit icing.
To make the icing, mix the icing sugar, passionfruit, and butter until an even spreadable consistency is reached. Add more passionfruit if required.
Easy Vanilla Slice Recipe Using Custard Powder
Ingredients:
1 sheet of ready-prepared puff pastry, thawed
5 level tablespoons custard powder
3 tablespoons caster sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla essence
4 cups milk icing sugar for dusting
Method:
Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celcius.
Halve the pastry lengthwise before rolling each half into a rectangle 3mm thick. Trim each piece into a 20cm x 30cm slice tin.
Place pastry sheets on baking trays lined with bake paper, then squeeze another baking tray on top. This helps to prevent the pastry from popping too high while cooking, so it cooks all the way through without burning.
Bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on the baking rack.
Add 5 tablespoons of milk to the custard powder and caster sugar, then blend until they form a smooth paste.
Slowly add the remaining milk and vanilla extract. Put the pan on the stove and heat at a slow boil, stirring continuously.
Reduce heat to simmer the sauce for a further two minutes. While cooking, continue stirring until the sauce has a runny consistency.
Line the slice tin with baking paper. Place one of the pastry sheets into the lined tin.
Add the cooled custard to the tin, spreading carefully over the pastry.
Top with the remaining pastry sheet. Refrigerate for 2-3 hours.
Remove the cake from the tin and cut it into 8 pieces—dust with icing sugar before serving.
What Is Vanilla Slice?
Vanilla slice is a delicious custard-filled cake that we all crave. It’s made by cutting up slices of puff pastry and filling them with thick vanilla custard, then covering the top in chocolate toffee or icing sugar (or both).
The Australian interpretation of the French mille-feuille has been described as uniquely Australian. However, some believe it came from France and initially resembled a traditional vanilla slice.
You can usually find a version of this dessert in bakers or cafes across Australia.
The Australian interpretation has been described as a uniquely Australian food, but it may have come from France and initially resembled the French mille-feuille.
The Great Australian Vanilla Slice Triumph is held annually to determine the best baker to create a decadent dessert that satisfies several criteria.
FAQs
What is a vanilla pudding slice?
Hailing from Australia, the humble vanilla pudding slice is a dessert made of layers of puff pastry and custard, typically dusted with icing sugar. It’s an easy recipe that can be made with just a few ingredients, and it’s the perfect treat for a summer picnic or afternoon tea.
How do you cut a vanilla slice without squashing it?
To slice neatly, carefully remove the overhanging baking paper and place it on a board. Gently peel away the paper and dust it with icing sugar for decoration.
For the perfect slice, use a thin knife to cut through only the top layer of pastry. Cut each piece into 10 small, even-sized slices.
How do you mix Cottee instant pudding?
Sprinkle contents on 700mL of cold full cream milk in a bowl.
Beat with an electric beater for 1 minute.
Pour into 6x250mL capacity serving dishes and refrigerate for 14 mins.
How to make Cottee’s instant pudding vanilla slice recipes?
Follow the package directions to make Cottee’s instant pudding vanilla slice recipes. Nothing is needed; the pudding mix will create a delicious and easy-to-make treat. Enjoy!
Is vanilla pudding mix the same as custard powder?
Instant vanilla pudding mix is a powdered mixture used to make a custard, closely resembling instant US-style white chocolate pudding.
Combine it with milk, cook to thicken, and have custard (or pudding)! Instant pudding mix is an excellent substitute if you can’t find it.
What’s the difference between a pudding and a custard?
The difference between custard and pudding is in the eggs. Custards require eggs to get that thicker, firmer texture that many people like. Puddings use cornstarch to thicken sweetened milk instead of egg yolk.
Is vanilla custard healthy?
Custard, mainly consisting of milk as its main ingredient, is a good source of protein and calcium–both excellent for maintaining bone health.
Some people may shy away from the delicious dessert because of their high-fat, high-sugar content. The average store-bought version typically contains 10% of your daily calcium intake and 60 grams of sugar per serving.
This easy recipe with lattice biscuits is the perfect summer dessert! The light, fluffy vanilla filling is sandwiched between two layers of crispy biscuits, and the whole thing is covered in a decadent chocolate ganache.
Best of all, You can make it ahead of time to enjoy it worry-free on those hot summer days. Just pop it in the fridge and let it chill until you’re ready to devour it!
This is the easiest recipe you will ever find! And it doesn’t even require any baking!
You only need a can of condensed milk, vanilla extract, and a packet of lattice biscuits. Combine the condensed milk and vanilla extract in a bowl, then spread the mixture over the biscuits.
Place the biscuits in the fridge for an hour to allow the mixture to set, then enjoy your delicious sweet treats!
Related Questions
What happens if you bake instant pudding?
Yes, you can cook the pudding in an oven.
Instant puddings do not typically require any cooking. They are often thickened with starch gelatine or rennet and require you to add milk or water.
However, it turns out fine if you make the pudding as directed with the pie instructions, bake it in your pastry crust, and bake at 400℉ for ~10 minutes.
Is vanilla pudding mix the same as custard powder?
No, they are different products. Vanilla pudding mix is a dry product that contains cornstarch and sugar. It does not contain eggs. Custard powder is a liquid product containing eggs and other ingredients.
Why does my cake fall apart when I take it out of the pan?
If you have baked the cake too long, the cake will be overcooked and dry. If baked too short, the cake will be undercooked and crumbly.
The best way to test whether the cake is made is by inserting a toothpick into the center of the cake. When the toothpick comes out clean, the cake is ready.
What can you substitute for milk powder?
Some of the best substitutes for milk powder (dry milk) are regular milk, non-dairy liquid milk, coconut milk powder, soy milk powder, and rice powder.
What’s the difference between cook and serve and instant pudding?
Cook and Serve Pudding:
This type of pudding requires no cooking. Add milk or water to the pudding mix and stir until smooth. The pudding is then poured into a serving dish and refrigerated.
Cook and Serve Pudding is usually served chilled.
Instant pudding:
This type of pudding needs to be cooked before eating. Pour the pudding mix into a bowl, add cold milk or water, and stir until smooth. Then, pour the mixture into a baking dish and bake according to the package directions.
