Vanilla Slice with Pear Icing

I don't have a very good history with Vanilla Slice.  My main memory is Dad bringing them home for me whenever I was sick from school.  I wasn't sure which was worse; the idea of dealing with a 'snot block' when I was sick or that Dad didn't remember I didn't like them!  Later I tried one that was not from a big commercial place and I changed my mind.  Now I see what Dad was trying to show me.

This is super easy.

Ingredients:

• 1 pkt Sao biscuits  (Yes, I use Saos, not pastry!!  So sue me!!)
• A deep tray, about 25x30cm.  Mine fitted 3x3 Sao biscuits exactly

Custard filling (from TMX book, pg 155)

• 75g sugar
• 2 eggs
• 500g milk
• 40g cornflour
• 5g vanilla essence

Pear Icing

• 1 cup sugar
• 35g butter
• 2 small pears (I used 4 canned halves)
• a little water/syrup if needed

Method:

• Place sugar into TMX and pulverise for 20 seconds on Speed 9
• Scrape down and add remaining custard ingredients
• Cook for 7 minutes at 90degC on Speed 4
• Line pan with one layer of Sao biscuits
• Spread all of custard onto bottom layer of biscuits
• Top with another layer of biscuits
• Refridgerate
• Place 1 cup of sugar into TMX and pulverise for 20 seconds on Speed 9
• Add butter
• Cream until well combined
• Add pears and process briefly until well chopped
• Put in butterfly attachment and continue creaming on Speed 4, watching until it is the desired consistency
• Scrape down and add a little water or syrup if necessary
• Spread onto top Sao layer and put back into fridge until the Saos have softened and icing is set.

 Verdict:

Mmmmm.  Yuummmmmm. Mmmmmmmmm.  Ms D said "Mum!  I am speechless!!"  She's a laugh.  :)

Tweeks:

I think I could also do this with the Carob Custard.  And one day I'll find a Failsafe recipe for the pastry.