Description
These Fruit Custard Bars combine a crisp graham cracker crust with a creamy, homemade custard filling topped with a colorful assortment of fresh and canned fruits. Perfectly chilled and dusted with powdered sugar, they offer a refreshing and delightful treat that’s ideal for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
- ½ cup melted butter
- 2 tbsp sugar
Custard Filling
- 2 cups whole milk
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 egg yolks
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
Fruit Topping
- ½ cup green grapes, halved
- ½ cup red grapes
- ½ cup canned peaches, chopped
- ¼ cup maraschino cherries
Finishing
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Prepare the Crust: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar until the mixture is evenly combined. Press this crumb mixture firmly into the bottom of an 8×8-inch square baking pan to form the crust.
- Bake the Crust: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 10 minutes or until the crust turns lightly golden. Remove from oven and allow it to cool completely before adding the filling.
- Make the Custard Filling: In a medium saucepan, whisk together the whole milk, sugar, and cornstarch to a smooth consistency. Heat over medium heat while stirring constantly until the mixture starts to thicken.
- Temper the Egg Yolks: In a small bowl, beat the egg yolks. Gradually add a small amount of the hot milk mixture to the yolks while whisking continuously to temper them and prevent curdling.
- Combine and Cook Custard: Slowly pour the tempered egg yolks back into the saucepan with the milk mixture, whisking constantly. Continue to cook over medium heat, stirring until the custard thickens more, approximately 5 minutes.
- Finish the Custard: Remove the custard from heat and stir in the vanilla extract and unsalted butter until fully incorporated and smooth.
- Assemble the Bars: Pour the custard evenly over the cooled crust. Arrange the halved green grapes, red grapes, chopped canned peaches, and maraschino cherries on top of the custard layer. Gently press the fruits into the custard so they adhere well.
- Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the fruit custard bars for at least 2 hours to allow the custard to set completely. Before serving, dust the top with powdered sugar for an elegant finish. Cut into squares and enjoy your refreshing treat!
Notes
- You can substitute the canned peaches with fresh peaches when in season for a fresher taste.
- Ensure to temper the egg yolks slowly to avoid scrambling and achieve a smooth custard.
- For a lighter version, use low-fat milk instead of whole milk.
- If you prefer, the fruit topping can be customized with berries or other seasonal fruits.
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
