Hungarian Cream Slice (Házi Krémes) – A Classic Hungarian Custard Cake

Hungarian Cream Slice, known as Házi Krémes, is one of Hungary’s beloved traditional desserts. This elegant pastry features delicate layers of crisp pastry filled with a rich, silky vanilla custard and finished with a generous dusting of powdered sugar.

It is creamy, light, and wonderfully nostalgic—the perfect dessert for family gatherings, holidays, afternoon coffee, or any occasion when you want to serve a classic Hungarian treat.

🇭🇺 Hungarian Cream Slice (Házi Krémes)

Ingredients

For the Pastry

• 2 sheets of ready-made puff pastry
• A little flour, for rolling
• Powdered sugar, for dusting

For the Vanilla Custard Filling

• 1 liter whole milk
• 6 egg yolks
• 180 g granulated sugar
• 80 g cornstarch
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 packet vanilla sugar, optional
• 200 ml heavy cream
• A pinch of salt

Instructions

1. Prepare the Pastry

Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F).

Place the puff pastry sheets on baking paper and prick them lightly with a fork. Bake according to the package instructions until golden, crisp, and fully cooked.

Allow the pastry layers to cool completely.

Tip: For easier serving, cut the top pastry sheet into individual squares before assembling the cake.

2. Make the Vanilla Custard

Pour about 700 ml of the milk into a saucepan and heat gently.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, sugar, cornstarch, vanilla extract, salt, and the remaining milk until completely smooth.

Slowly pour the mixture into the warm milk while whisking constantly.

Cook over medium-low heat, stirring continuously, until the custard becomes thick and smooth. Do not allow it to burn on the bottom of the pan.

Remove from the heat and cover the surface directly with plastic wrap. Allow it to cool until lukewarm.

3. Add the Cream

Whip the heavy cream until soft peaks form.

Once the custard has cooled, gently fold the whipped cream into it. This creates a lighter, smoother filling.

4. Assemble the Cake

Place one baked pastry sheet on a serving tray.

Spread the vanilla custard evenly over the pastry, creating a generous, smooth layer.

Place the second pastry layer on top. If you have already cut the top layer into squares, arrange the pieces carefully over the custard.

Refrigerate the cake for at least 4–6 hours, preferably overnight, so the filling can set properly.

5. Finish and Serve

Just before serving, generously dust the top with powdered sugar.

Cut along the pre-cut squares and serve chilled.

🍰 Recipe Tips

• Use full-fat milk for a richer custard.
• Stir the custard constantly while cooking to prevent lumps.
• Let the pastry cool completely before assembling the cake.
• Refrigerating the cake overnight gives the best texture and makes slicing easier.
• Pre-cutting the top pastry layer makes serving much cleaner.
• For an authentic Hungarian-style finish, keep the decoration simple with plenty of powdered sugar.

Storage

Store Hungarian Cream Slice in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 2–3 days. The pastry will gradually soften as it absorbs moisture from the custard, but the dessert will remain delicious.

🇭🇺 A Taste of Traditional Hungary

Házi Krémes is a beautiful example of Hungarian pastry-making: simple ingredients transformed into a luxurious dessert. The contrast between crisp pastry, creamy vanilla custard, and delicate powdered sugar makes every bite irresistible.

Whether you are familiar with Hungarian cuisine or discovering it for the first time, this traditional Hungarian Cream Slice is a wonderful recipe to add to your dessert collection.

Recipe Card

Recipe: Hungarian Cream Slice (Házi Krémes)
Cuisine: Hungarian
Category: Dessert
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Chilling Time: 4–6 hours
Servings: 12–16 slices
Difficulty: Medium

Keywords: Hungarian Cream Slice, Házi Krémes, Hungarian dessert, vanilla custard cake, Hungarian pastry, traditional Hungarian recipes, cream slice cake.