Apple Vanilla Slice Recipe

This apple vanilla slice is rich, creamy, and layered with flaky puff pastry, silky vanilla custard, and soft cinnamon apples. Finished with sweet icing and a dusting of cinnamon, this classic dessert is perfect for afternoon tea, celebrations, or weekend baking.

Combining the flavours of traditional vanilla slice with warm apple pie filling creates an irresistible dessert everyone will love.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Creamy bakery-style dessert
• Crispy golden puff pastry
• Smooth vanilla custard filling
• Sweet cinnamon apple layer
• Perfect make-ahead dessert

What Makes Apple Vanilla Slice So Special?

Traditional vanilla slice is already a classic favourite, but adding soft cinnamon apples takes it to another level.

The apples add warmth, texture, and natural sweetness that perfectly complements the creamy custard and crisp pastry layers.

Ingredients

Apple Filling

• Butter
• Pink Lady apples
• Ground cinnamon
• Cornflour
• Caster sugar

Vanilla Custard

• Pouring cream
• Vanilla bean paste
• Milk
• Egg yolks
• Cornflour
• Butter

Pastry & Topping

• Frozen butter puff pastry
• Pure icing sugar
• Extra cinnamon, for dusting

How to Make Apple Vanilla Slice

Step 1: Prepare the Apple Filling

Preheat oven to 180°C/160°C fan forced.

Cook butter, apples, and water in a saucepan until softened.

Mix cinnamon, cornflour, sugar, and water in a bowl.

Stir into the apples until thickened.

Set aside to cool.

Step 2: Bake the Puff Pastry

Place puff pastry sheets between baking trays lined with baking paper.

Bake until golden and crisp.

Allow to cool completely.

Step 3: Make the Vanilla Custard

Heat cream, vanilla, milk, and sugar in a saucepan until simmering.

Whisk egg yolks and cornflour in a bowl.

Gradually whisk warm milk mixture into the yolks.

Return mixture to the saucepan and cook until thick and creamy.

Whisk in butter until smooth.

Step 4: Assemble the Slice

Line a cake pan with baking paper.

Place one pastry sheet into the base.

Spread over the apple mixture.

Pour custard on top.

Finish with the second pastry sheet.

Refrigerate overnight until fully set.

Step 5: Add the Icing

Mix icing sugar with milk until smooth and thick.

Spread over the top pastry layer.

Dust with cinnamon before serving.

Tips for Best Results

• Chill overnight for clean slices
• Use ripe sweet apples for best flavour
• Keep pastry crisp by cooling completely before assembling
• Use vanilla bean paste for richer flavour
• Slice with a serrated knife for neat edges

Serving Suggestions

This apple vanilla slice pairs perfectly with:

• Fresh coffee
• Chai tea
• Vanilla ice cream
• Whipped cream
• Fresh berries

Final Thoughts

This apple vanilla slice is creamy, flaky, and packed with comforting cinnamon apple flavour. The combination of buttery puff pastry, silky custard, and sweet apple filling creates a bakery-style dessert that’s worth every bite.

Perfect for special occasions or weekend baking, this easy vanilla slice recipe is guaranteed to impress.