Vanilla Custard Cream Squares

Step 1: Prepare the Crust
Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Mix the Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the flour and granulated sugar. Add the softened butter and mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Form the Crust: Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of an 8-inch square baking dish to create a crust.
Bake: Place the crust in the preheated oven and bake for about 15-20 minutes or until lightly golden. Once done, remove from the oven and let it cool.
Step 2: Prepare the Custard
Cook the Milk Mixture: In a saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat. In a separate bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, cornstarch, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the heated milk, whisking constantly until the mixture is smooth and begins to thicken.
Combine Egg Yolks: In another bowl, lightly beat the egg yolks. Slowly add a small amount of the hot milk mixture to the egg yolks, whisking constantly to temper the yolks. Then, slowly pour the egg mixture back into the saucepan with the remaining milk, stirring constantly.
Final Cook: Continue to cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the custard thickens to a pudding-like consistency. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
Step 3: Assemble the Squares