Holiday Inspiration

We’ve recently spent a few days staying with some great friends in the country.  What a lovely holiday! We were looked after like kings and queens the whole time. It was so fresh and peaceful.  Apart from everyone enjoying each other’s company and catching up on the months that had past since we last saw each other the meals were amazing.  Luckily, my friend is a fabulous cook and every day she would produce beautiful meals.  But also, she provided baked treats that everyone loved. Seriously we are not talking about one slice at a time. We were encouraged to try several baked morsels on offer all the time! So I really knew when I arrived home that I had to bake something yummy to make the holiday memory last a little longer. Pear and Custard Slice: don’t forget the chocolate was born.

Mmm Custard!

My mum recently said that she could eat anything that contained custard.  Therefore, when I saw a bowl full of very ripe pears waiting for me when I returned from our break I decided that this Pear and Custard Slice with a hint of chocolate was necessary. Pear and Custard Slice is the perfect way to include some custard into your day! Please note, I’ve adapted the slice from an apple version without chocolate (and with other modifications) in an old Woman’s Day recipe book ‘The ABC of Kids Cooking’. (BTW this is a three step slice. So it’s not exactly suited to children’s baking unless they are older and comfortable in the kitchen).

Chocolate Treat

And why the chocolate?  Doesn’t pear and chocolate just work so well together?  It’s my preference but if you don’t have any to hand it is still great without.

Enough said.  The verdict is that it is a super delicious slice with its crunchy biscuity base,  silky smooth pear and custard filling finished by a crunchy, nutty topping. This slice is a keeper for me. The next time we catch up with our friends on holiday I will be making this in honour of my friend’s wonderful baking.

Enjoy Pear and Custard Slice

Biscuity, Custardy, Nutty

Print

Pear and Custard Slice: With a Hint of Chocolate

A silky smooth while also crunchy slice that works as a dessert or a slice.

Course Dessert

Keyword Pear and Custard Slice

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 1 hour

Author Jane Georgiades

Ingredients

Base

• 1 cup wholemeal plain flour
• 1/2 cup shredded coconut
• 1/4 cup rice malt syrup or
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 125 g butter melted

Filing

• 8 packham pears peeled and sliced
• 2 eggs beaten
• 1 cup thickened cream
• 2 tbsp sugar

Topping

• 1/2 cup wholemeal plain flour
• 1/2 cup slivered or flaked almonds
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 75 g butter melted
• 100 g Chocolate chips

Instructions

Base

1. Heat oven to 180°C. Combine flour, rice malt syrup or brown sugar, coconut and butter and press into a lined slice tin. Bake for 25 minutes.

Filing

1. Top cooled base with pear slices. Beat cream, eggs and sugar and pour over pear and biscuit base. Bake for 25 minutes. It should be reasonably firm before you take it out.

Crunchy Topping

1. Combine flour, sugar nuts and butter and dot over slice. Gently spread over the top. Press chocolate chips into the topping. Bake for 20 minutes.

Recipe Notes

Slice in larger serves as a dessert, smaller square serves to have as a slice.