Description
A stunning layered dessert made with flaky golden puff pastry, silky vanilla cream, and a bright fruit jam layer. This elegant cake delivers bakery-quality flavor and texture with surprisingly simple preparation.
Ingredients
- For the puff pastry layers:
- 2 sheets frozen puff pastry, thawed
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar (for dusting)
- For the vanilla cream filling:
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 4 large egg yolks
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream, chilled
- For the jam layer:
- 3/4 cup raspberry or strawberry jam
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- Optional garnish:
- 1/2 cup fresh berries
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Place puff pastry sheets on prepared pans, prick with a fork, and sprinkle each with 1 tablespoon granulated sugar.
- Bake 15–18 minutes until golden brown and crisp. Cool completely.
- Heat milk in a saucepan until steaming but not boiling.
- Whisk egg yolks, sugar, cornstarch, and salt until smooth. Slowly whisk in warm milk.
- Return mixture to saucepan and cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until thickened (3–5 minutes).
- Remove from heat and stir in butter and vanilla. Cover with plastic wrap touching surface and chill 1 hour.
- Whip heavy cream to soft peaks and gently fold into chilled custard.
- Stir jam and lemon juice together until smooth.
- Place one pastry sheet on serving platter. Spread vanilla cream evenly over it, then layer jam on top.
- Top with second pastry sheet and lightly press down. Dust with powdered sugar and garnish if desired.
- Refrigerate at least 1 hour before slicing with a serrated knife.
Notes
- Cool pastry completely before assembling to maintain crisp layers.
- Assemble shortly before serving for best texture.
- Store refrigerated up to 3 days; pastry will soften over time.
- Not suitable for freezing once assembled.
- Whisk custard continuously to prevent lumps.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: European
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 28 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 155 mg
