When you crave a proper pastry-shop style dessert but want something a bit lighter and more refreshing, just skip the heavy butter creams. Forget boring cakes – this refreshing yogurt cream slice with thin puff pastry, a layer of ladyfingers, hot vanilla pudding smoothed with yogurt and a fluffy whipped yogurt cloud is an absolute hit that will disappear from the table in no time. The secret to its success lies in the ingenious combination of warm pudding with plain yogurt and the use of a gelatin stabilizer for perfect slice stability.
What you’ll need for a small baking tray or casserole dish:
For the crispy base:
- Puff pastry: 200 g (about half a standard pack)
- Ladyfingers: as needed to cover the pudding layer (amount depends on tray size)
For the first vanilla-yogurt filling:
- Whole milk: 500 ml
- Vanilla pudding powder: 2 packets
- Sugar: 4 tablespoons (or to taste)
- Plain yogurt: 150 ml
For the second whipped yogurt filling:
- Whipping cream (min. 31%): 250 ml (well chilled)
- Creamy plain yogurt: 250 ml
- Cold set gelatin stabilizer: 1 packet (e.g. Dr. Oetker)
- Powdered sugar: to taste
For the final topping:
- Chocolate: grated dark chocolate, cocoa drink powder or chocolate sprinkles
Step-by-step preparation:
1. Bake the crispy base: Roll out the puff pastry on a floured surface to fit your small tray or casserole dish. Prick the sheet thoroughly all over with a fork to prevent excessive puffing during baking. Bake in a preheated oven at 200°C until golden (about 10 to 12 minutes). Let the baked pastry cool completely.
2. Cook the vanilla layer with ladyfingers: Mix the sugar and both vanilla pudding powders into the milk. Stir constantly while cooking to make a thick pudding the classic way. Immediately stir 150 ml of plain yogurt into the still-hot pudding – this gives the cream an incredible lightness and freshness. Pour the warm mixture evenly over the baked puff pastry and immediately arrange a layer of ladyfingers closely side by side on top. Let it cool completely in the fridge.
3. Make the fluffy creamy cloud: Whip the cream in a clean bowl until stiff. In another bowl, mix the creamy yogurt with powdered sugar. Prepare the cold set gelatin stabilizer according to the package instructions and quickly stir it into the yogurt mixture, then gently fold in the whipped cream. Important: Work quickly, as the cold gelatin stabilizer starts to set immediately.
4. Layering and thorough chilling: Spread the yogurt whipped cream over the set ladyfinger layer and smooth it out with a spatula. Decorate the top as you like – generously sprinkle with grated chocolate, cocoa drink powder or chocolate sprinkles. Place the dessert in the fridge to set thoroughly, ideally overnight.
Proven tips for the best result:
- Yogurt in hot pudding: Stirring plain yogurt into freshly cooked pudding creates a uniquely light and creamy texture that isn’t heavy on the stomach.
- Speed with the stabilizer: When preparing the whipped layer with cold set stabilizer, work really fast so you can spread the mixture evenly before it sets.
- Chilling for perfect texture: Let the yogurt cream slice rest in the fridge until the next day – the puff pastry will absorb moisture, the ladyfingers will soften, and the whole dessert will slice beautifully.
