Here’s a classic Hungarian Krémes recipe 🇭🇺🍰—light, creamy, and delicate, just like you’d find in a traditional cukrászda (Hungarian pastry shop). Krémes is Hungary’s beloved vanilla custard slice, similar to a cream slice or mille-feuille.
🇭🇺 Hungarian Krémes (Vanilla Custard Slice)
⏱ Time
- Prep: 30 minutes
- Cook: 20 minutes
- Chill: 2–3 hours
- Serves: 8–10
Ingredients
Pastry
- 2 sheets puff pastry (thawed if frozen)
Custard Filling
- 4 cups whole milk
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract (or 1 vanilla bean)
- 6 egg yolks
- ½ cup cornstarch
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- Pinch of salt
Whipped Layer (Traditional Hungarian Style)
- 4 egg whites
- ½ cup sugar
Topping
- Powdered sugar
Instructions
1️⃣ Bake the Puff Pastry
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Bake both pastry sheets until golden and crisp (10–12 minutes).
- Let cool completely.
- Trim one sheet to fit your baking dish (bottom). Cut the other into squares (for easier serving).
2️⃣ Make the Custard
- Heat milk with vanilla until just steaming.
- In a bowl, whisk egg yolks, sugar, cornstarch, flour, and salt.
- Slowly whisk hot milk into egg mixture.
- Return to pot and cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until thick and smooth.
- Remove from heat.
3️⃣ Whipped Egg White Layer (Key to Authentic Krémes)
- Beat egg whites until soft peaks form.
- Gradually add sugar and beat to stiff, glossy peaks.
- Gently fold egg whites into hot custard (this makes krémes light and airy).
4️⃣ Assemble
- Place whole pastry sheet in bottom of pan.
- Pour custard mixture on top and smooth evenly.
- Place pre-cut pastry squares on top.
5️⃣ Chill
- Refrigerate 2–3 hours until fully set.
6️⃣ Serve
- Dust generously with powdered sugar.
- Cut along the pastry squares for neat portions.
🌟 Tips for Perfect Krémes
- Folding egg whites into hot custard is traditional and keeps it fluffy
- Cutting the top pastry before assembling prevents crushing
- Krémes tastes best the same day or next day
🍰 Variations
- Modern krémes: Replace egg whites with whipped cream
- Chocolate krémes: Add melted chocolate to custard
- Coffee krémes: Infuse milk with espresso
If you’d like, I can also share:
- A simpler home version (no egg whites)
- A bakery-style firm slice version
- A gluten-free adaptation
Just tell me 😊
