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
