French Mille-Feuille Recipe (Napoleon) Recipe
Introduction
The classic French Mille-Feuille, also known as Napoleon, is a delightful layered pastry featuring crisp puff pastry and smooth vanilla pastry cream. This elegant dessert is perfect for special occasions or a refined treat to impress your guests.
Ingredients
- 1 package (2 sheets) puff pastry
- Parchment paper
- 2 cups (480 ml) whole milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 large egg yolks
- 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup (30 g) cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon (14 g) unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup (60 g) powdered sugar
- 1–2 teaspoons water
- Melted chocolate (optional, for decorating)
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Roll the puff pastry slightly to even it out. Place the sheets on parchment-lined baking sheets, prick all over with a fork, then cover each with parchment and another baking sheet to prevent rising too much.
- Step 2: Bake for 15–20 minutes until golden and crisp. Remove from the oven and let cool completely. Once cool, trim each sheet into 3 equal rectangles.
- Step 3: To make the pastry cream, heat the milk and vanilla extract in a saucepan until just simmering.
- Step 4: In a bowl, whisk together egg yolks, granulated sugar, and cornstarch until smooth. Slowly whisk the hot milk into the yolk mixture to temper it.
- Step 5: Pour the mixture back into the saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens noticeably. Remove from heat and stir in the butter until melted.
- Step 6: Transfer the pastry cream to a bowl, cover the surface directly with plastic wrap to prevent a skin, and chill until fully cold.
- Step 7: To assemble, place one puff pastry rectangle on a serving plate. Spread half of the chilled pastry cream evenly over it. Add the second pastry rectangle on top and spread the remaining cream. Finish with the last pastry rectangle.
- Step 8: For the topping, mix the powdered sugar with 1–2 teaspoons of water until smooth and spread over the top layer. Optionally, drizzle melted chocolate in thin lines and use a toothpick to create a feathered design.
- Step 9: Chill the assembled dessert for at least 1 hour before slicing and serving to allow the flavors to meld and the cream to set.
Tips & Variations
- For added flavor, try infusing the milk with a split vanilla bean instead of extract.
- Use chilled pastry cream to avoid soggy puff pastry layers when assembling.
- Substitute the vanilla glaze for a dusting of powdered sugar if you prefer a lighter finish.
- Swap melted chocolate decoration for fresh berries or edible flowers for a fresh twist.
Storage
Store the Mille-Feuille covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Because the puff pastry can soften over time, it’s best enjoyed fresh or within the first day. Reheat is not recommended as it will affect texture and cream consistency.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make the pastry cream ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the pastry cream a day in advance. Keep it covered tightly with plastic wrap directly on the surface and refrigerate until ready to use.
What type of puff pastry works best for this recipe?
Store-bought frozen puff pastry is convenient and works well. Choose high-quality all-butter puff pastry for the best flavor and texture.
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French Mille-Feuille Recipe (Napoleon) Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
This classic French Mille-Feuille, also known as Napoleon, features layers of crisp puff pastry filled with smooth, creamy vanilla pastry cream. Topped with a delicate sugar glaze and optional chocolate decoration, this elegant dessert is perfect for special occasions and impresses with its beautiful presentation and rich flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Puff Pastry
- 1 package (2 sheets) puff pastry
- Parchment paper
Pastry Cream
- 2 cups (480 ml) whole milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 large egg yolks
- 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup (30 g) cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon (14 g) unsalted butter
Topping
- 1/2 cup (60 g) powdered sugar
- 1–2 teaspoons water
- Melted chocolate (optional, for decorating)
Instructions
- Bake the Puff Pastry: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly roll the puff pastry sheets to even them out. Place the pastry on parchment-lined baking sheets, prick the surface all over with a fork to prevent puffing, then cover with another sheet of parchment paper and an additional baking sheet to keep the pastry flat. Bake for 15–20 minutes until the pastry turns golden and crisp. Once baked, let it cool completely and then trim into 3 equal rectangles.
- Make the Pastry Cream: In a saucepan, heat the whole milk and vanilla extract until just simmering. Meanwhile, whisk together the egg yolks, granulated sugar, and cornstarch in a bowl until smooth and well combined. Gradually whisk the hot milk into the egg mixture to temper it. Pour everything back into the saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens into a smooth pastry cream. Remove from heat and stir in the unsalted butter for richness. Transfer the pastry cream to a bowl, cover the surface directly with plastic wrap to prevent a skin from forming, and chill until completely cold.
- Assemble the Mille-Feuille: Place one rectangle of cooled puff pastry on your serving plate. Spread half of the chilled pastry cream evenly over it. Add the second layer of puff pastry on top and spread the remaining pastry cream. Place the final puff pastry rectangle on the very top.
- Add the Topping: Prepare a glaze by mixing powdered sugar with 1 to 2 teaspoons of water until smooth but spreadable. Spread this glaze evenly over the top pastry layer. For an elegant decoration, drizzle thin lines of melted chocolate over the glaze and use a toothpick to drag through the lines, creating a classic feathered pattern. Chill the assembled dessert in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before slicing and serving to allow flavors to meld and the pastry to soften slightly.
Notes
- Ensure puff pastry sheets are well chilled before baking to achieve optimal puff and flakiness.
- Pricking the puff pastry prevents excessive puffing and helps create an even, flat surface for layering.
- Cover the pastry cream with plastic wrap directly on its surface to avoid a skin forming during chilling.
- Chilling the assembled Mille-Feuille for at least one hour improves slicing and flavor melding.
- For a variation, fresh berries can be added between the cream layers for a fruity twist.
- Melted chocolate decoration is optional but adds an elegant finish.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Keywords: Mille-Feuille, Napoleon, puff pastry, pastry cream, French dessert, vanilla cream, layered dessert, classic pastry
