Custard Cream Squares (Custard Cake Bars)
Soft, creamy, and lightly sweet dessert bars with a silky custard layer over a tender cake base—chilled and sliceable like a bakery-style treat.
🛒 Ingredients
🍰 Cake base
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup milk
- ¼ cup melted butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
🍮 Custard layer
- 2 cups milk
- ⅓ cup sugar
- 3 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 egg yolks
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp butter
✨ Optional topping
- Powdered sugar
- Cinnamon or nutmeg sprinkle
👨🍳 Instructions
1. Make cake base
- Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F)
- Grease and line an 8×8 baking dish
- Whisk eggs, sugar, milk, butter, and vanilla
- Add flour, baking powder, and salt
- Mix until smooth batter forms
- Pour into pan and bake 15–18 minutes until just set (light golden)
2. Make custard layer
- In a saucepan, whisk milk, sugar, and cornstarch
- Add egg yolks and mix well
- Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until thickened
- Remove from heat, stir in butter and vanilla
3. Assemble
- Pour warm custard over baked cake base
- Spread evenly
4. Chill
- Refrigerate 4–6 hours (or overnight) until fully set
5. Slice & serve
- Cut into clean squares
- Dust with powdered sugar if desired
🍽️ Serving Ideas
- Serve chilled with tea or coffee ☕
- Add fresh berries on top 🍓
- Drizzle with caramel or honey for extra sweetness
🔥 Tips
- Let custard cool slightly before pouring for neat layers
- Chill fully for clean slices
- Use full-fat milk for creamier custard
- Add a biscuit crust instead of cake for a firmer base
🍮 Why it’s so good
You get a soft vanilla cake base topped with silky custard that melts in your mouth—light, creamy, and perfectly balanced.