THESE CLASSIC VANILLA CUSTARD BARS ARE TO DIE FOR

Ingredients :

1 (16 oz.) package of store-bought puff pastry, 2 sheets, thawed
1 1/2 cups whole milk
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1/2 cup water
2/3 cup caster sugar, or superfine sugar
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, cubed
6 egg yolks, beaten
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
powdered sugar, as needed

Directions :

Preheat the oven to 350º and line two baking sheets with parchment paper, and line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang on both sides.
Unroll puff pastry sheets and place onto lined baking sheets, using a fork to gently prick all over the dough, without piercing the bottom.
Optional: top each sheet of puff pastry with parchment paper, then top with another baking sheet, acting as a weight, so puff pastry won’t inflate.
Place baking sheets in the oven and bake for 20-22 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool completely.
Optional: use a serrated knife to trim edges off puff pastry so that it fits into a 9×13-inch baking dish. Place one sheet of puff pastry
In a medium saucepan, whisk together milk, cream, butter, vanilla, and sugar over medium heat, and cook until little bubbles appear around the edge of the pan before it comes to a boil.
Whisk together flour and water to create a slurry, then whisk into the hot milk mixture and remove the pan from heat.
Whisk a little of the hot milk mixture into beaten egg yolks to temper the yolks, then, while the saucepan is still off the heat, whisk yolks into the mixture until combined.
Return the saucepan to the heat and bring to a boil. While whisking continuously, cook for 30-60 seconds, or until custard thickens.
Pour thickened custard over puff pastry in a 9×13-inch baking dish, then top with the second sheet of puff pastry. (Trim edges to fit the dish.) Gently press down so the pastry adheres.
Refrigerate the baking dish until custard is set. 3-4 hours.
When ready to serve, dust with powdered sugar, slice and serve.