Decadent Banana Custard Pastry Stack
Indulge in this luxurious Decadent Banana Custard Pastry Stack, inspired by James Reeson’s culinary brilliance. This delightful dessert features luscious layers of creamy banana custard nestled between crispy, golden-baked puff pastry, providing a perfect balance of textures and flavors. Each slice melts in your mouth with the sweet aroma of bananas complemented by a hint of vanilla. Ideal for impressing guests or simply treating yourself, this dessert is a delightful way to celebrate any occasion. Perfect for a warm summer evening or as a comforting winter dessert, this recipe is sure to become a favorite in your kitchen. Please note that refrigeration time is essential for the best texture and flavor. Enjoy a piece of creamy bliss in every bite!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
Bananas
4 (peeled and mashed)
Milk
1 liter (whole or full cream)
Eggs
6 (beaten)
Caster Sugar
100 g (for sweetening)
Vanilla Essence
2-3 drops (for flavor)
Arrowroot
3 tablespoons (for thickening (can substitute with cornstarch))
Puff Pastry Sheets
2 (23 cm square, cut in half)
Icing Sugar
as needed (for dusting decoration)
Instructions
1
In a large saucepan, combine the milk, caster sugar, eggs, and peeled bananas. Using a stick blender, blend the mixture until smooth. If you don’t have a stick blender, transfer the mixture to a blender or food processor before returning it to the saucepan.
2
Heat the mixture over low heat, stirring continuously until the custard thickens. The custard is thick enough when it coats the back of a wooden spoon and leaves a trail when stirred. To enhance the thickness, add in the arrowroot and stir well to combine.
3
Once thickened, remove the custard from heat and pour it into a shallow tray with sides to cool completely.
4
Preheat your oven to 180°C (356°F).
5
While the custard cools, cut the puff pastry sheets in half. Lay the pastry sheets on lined baking trays. Prick each sheet all over with a fork to prevent puffing up during baking.
6
Bake the pastry in the preheated oven for approximately 10 minutes, or until golden and crispy.
7
After the custard has cooled, give it a gentle stir to smooth out any skin that may have formed on the surface.
8
Begin assembling the dessert by placing one pastry sheet on a serving platter. Spread 1/3 of the banana custard evenly over the pastry, ensuring not to reach the edges. Layer with a second pastry sheet, followed by another 1/3 of the custard, and then repeat with the last pastry sheet and remaining custard.
9
Top with the final pastry sheet and sprinkle powdered icing sugar over the top for a sweet finish.
10
Refrigerate the assembled dessert for 1 hour to allow it to set properly.
11
Once chilled, remove from the refrigerator and slice into desired portions, serving 3 to 4 generous slices.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Decadent Banana Custard Pastry Stack?
It is a luxurious dessert featuring layers of creamy banana custard and crispy, golden-baked puff pastry.
Who inspired this banana custard recipe?
This recipe is inspired by the culinary brilliance of James Reeson.
What are the primary ingredients needed?
The main ingredients are bananas, milk, eggs, caster sugar, vanilla essence, arrowroot, puff pastry, and icing sugar.
How many bananas are required for this recipe?
You will need 4 peeled bananas for the custard mixture.
What type of milk is best for the custard?
The recipe recommends using 1 liter of whole or full cream milk.
How many eggs are used in the custard base?
The recipe calls for 6 beaten eggs.
What is the purpose of arrowroot in this dessert?
Arrowroot is used as a thickening agent to ensure the custard has the correct consistency.
Can I substitute arrowroot with another ingredient?
Yes, arrowroot can be substituted with cornstarch for thickening.
How do I prepare the initial custard mixture?
Combine milk, caster sugar, eggs, and bananas in a saucepan and blend until smooth using a stick blender.
What equipment can I use if I don't have a stick blender?
You can use a regular blender or a food processor before returning the mixture to the saucepan.
How do I know when the custard is sufficiently thickened?
The custard is ready when it coats the back of a wooden spoon and leaves a trail when stirred.
At what temperature should the oven be set?
Preheat your oven to 180°C (356°F).
How should I prepare the puff pastry sheets for baking?
Cut the 23 cm square pastry sheets in half and lay them on lined baking trays.
Why is it important to prick the pastry with a fork?
Pricking the pastry sheets all over prevents them from puffing up excessively during baking.
How long does the puff pastry need to bake?
Bake the pastry for approximately 10 minutes until it is golden and crispy.
What is the best way to cool the custard?
Pour the thickened custard into a shallow tray with sides to allow it to cool completely.
How do I handle the custard skin after cooling?
Give the cooled custard a gentle stir to smooth out any skin that may have formed on the surface.
How is the pastry stack assembled?
Layer a pastry sheet with 1/3 of the custard, and repeat until you have four pastry layers and three custard layers.
How much custard should be spread on each layer?
Spread approximately 1/3 of the banana custard evenly over each of the first three pastry sheets.
What is the final step in assembling the stack?
Top with the final pastry sheet and sprinkle powdered icing sugar over the top.
How long does the dessert need to be refrigerated?
The assembled dessert should be refrigerated for 1 hour to allow it to set properly.
Why is refrigeration time essential for this recipe?
Refrigeration is necessary to achieve the best texture and flavor and to help the layers set.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
The recipe serves 3 to 4 generous slices.
Is this dessert suitable for summer?
Yes, it is described as a perfect treat for a warm summer evening.
Can this be served as a winter dessert?
Absolutely, it works equally well as a comforting winter dessert.
What does the custard taste like?
It has a sweet aroma of bananas complemented by a hint of vanilla.
What texture can I expect from the pastry?
The pastry provides a crispy, golden-baked texture that balances the creamy custard.
How much vanilla essence is used?
The recipe uses 2-3 drops of vanilla essence for flavor.
What size should the puff pastry sheets be?
The recipe specifies using 23 cm square puff pastry sheets.
What type of sugar is recommended for the custard?
100 g of caster sugar is used for sweetening the custard.