Description
French Mille-Feuille, also known as Napoleon, is a classic French pastry made with crisp layers of flaky puff pastry and rich vanilla pastry cream. Finished with a sweet icing and optional chocolate decoration, this elegant dessert is perfect for celebrations, tea time, or special occasions.
Ingredients
- 1 package puff pastry (about 17.5 oz), thawed
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, for dusting
- 2 cups whole milk
- 4 large egg yolks
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons melted dark chocolate (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Lightly roll out the puff pastry on a floured surface and cut it into three equal rectangles.
- Place the pastry rectangles on the prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle with granulated sugar, cover with another sheet of parchment paper, and place a second baking tray on top to keep the pastry flat.
- Bake for 18–20 minutes until golden brown and crisp. Allow the pastry to cool completely.
- To prepare the pastry cream, heat the milk in a saucepan until warm but not boiling.
- In a bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, sugar, cornstarch, and salt until smooth.
- Slowly pour the warm milk into the egg mixture while whisking continuously.
- Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened.
- Remove from heat and stir in the butter and vanilla extract.
- Cover the pastry cream with plastic wrap touching the surface and refrigerate for 1 hour.
- Place one pastry rectangle on a serving plate and spread half the pastry cream evenly over it.
- Top with the second pastry layer and spread the remaining pastry cream over it.
- Place the final pastry layer on top.
- Mix powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth to make the icing.
- Spread the icing over the top pastry layer.
- If desired, drizzle melted dark chocolate in thin lines over the icing and drag a toothpick through the lines to create a decorative pattern.
- Chill the assembled Mille-Feuille for at least 30 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Store-bought puff pastry works perfectly for this recipe.
- Chilling before slicing helps create cleaner layers.
- Fresh berries can be added between the layers for a fruity variation.
- Fold whipped cream into the pastry cream for a lighter filling.
- Best enjoyed the same day for maximum crispness.
- Do not freeze because the pastry and cream texture may change.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 24 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 43 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg
