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Mille-Feuille with Vanilla Cream – The Ultimate French Pastry
Elegant, flaky, and filled with luscious cream, the Mille-Feuille — also known as Napoleon Pastry — is a French bakery classic that never fails to impress. Layers of buttery puff pastry sandwich a silky vanilla pastry cream, dusted with powdered sugar and often topped with fresh berries. It’s not just a dessert — it’s a celebration of texture and taste.
Ingredients
For the Vanilla Cream:
500 ml of milk
1 vanilla pod (or 1 tsp vanilla extract)
4 egg yolks
100 g sugar
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40 g cornstarch (Maïzena)
30 g butter
For the Assembly:
2 rolls puff pastry (pure butter if available)
Powdered sugar, for sprinkling
Fresh raspberries, for garnish (optional)
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Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Vanilla Pastry Cream
Heat the milk with the vanilla pod (split and scraped) or extract in a medium saucepan over medium heat until steaming. Do not boil.
In a bowl, whisk the egg yolks with sugar until pale. Add the cornstarch and mix until smooth.
Slowly pour the hot milk into the egg mixture while whisking constantly to temper.
Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring continuously until thick and bubbling.
Remove from heat, stir in the butter, and whisk until glossy. Cover with plastic wrap directly on the surface and refrigerate to chill.
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Step 2: Bake the Puff Pastry Layers
Preheat the oven to 200°C (392°F).
Roll out the puff pastry sheets and prick them all over with a fork.
Place the sheets between two baking trays (to prevent puffing) and bake for 15–20 minutes, flipping halfway for even coloring.
Remove from oven, cool completely, then slice each sheet into even rectangles (3 layers total).
Step 3: Assemble the Mille-Feuille
Place one pastry layer on a serving tray. Pipe or spread half the pastry cream evenly over the surface.
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Top with the second layer and spread the remaining cream.
Add the final pastry sheet on top, pressing lightly.
Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before slicing for clean cuts.
Step 4: Decorate & Serve
Dust the top with powdered sugar.
Garnish with fresh raspberries or edible flowers for elegance.
Serve chilled for best texture and flavor.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Crispy, creamy, and perfectly sweet
Elegant enough for special occasions
Made from simple ingredients
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Easy to prepare ahead of time
Stunning presentation
Variations to Try
Want to experiment with flavors or textures? Here are some tasty spins:
Chocolate Mille-Feuille
Add melted chocolate to the pastry cream.
Drizzle the top with chocolate glaze.
Berry Mille-Feuille
Layer in strawberries or raspberries between the cream for added freshness.
Lemon Vanilla Cream
Replace half the milk with lemon juice and add zest for a citrus twist.
Hazelnut Delight
Add hazelnut praline paste to the cream for a nutty variation.
Tips for Success
Chill the cream thoroughly before assembling — this helps the layers hold firm.
Use a serrated knife to cut clean slices without crushing.
Keep pastry flat by baking between trays or under parchment and weights.
Dust just before serving to keep sugar from melting.
Storage
Store assembled Mille-Feuille in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Best eaten within 24 hours for optimal crispness.
Do not freeze once assembled — pastry will lose texture.
Tools You’ll Need
Medium saucepan
Whisk
Pastry brush
Baking trays
Sharp serrated knife
Piping bag (optional but helps for clean layering)
Spatula
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use store-bought custard?
Yes, but homemade pastry cream gives the best texture and flavor.
Can I use frozen puff pastry?
Absolutely! Just thaw it completely and roll it flat before baking.
How do I keep the top from sliding?
Refrigerate for a few hours before slicing, and use a slightly firmer cream.
Can I make it in advance?
Yes, you can prepare the pastry and cream a day ahead, then assemble fresh.
Nutritional Information (per slice – approx. 8 slices)
Estimates based on standard ingredients.
Calories: 290–330 kcal
Fat: 22g
Carbohydrates: 24g
Sugar: 12g
Protein: 4g
A Bite of Paris at Home
The Mille-Feuille with Vanilla Cream is a show-stopping dessert that brings the charm of French pâtisseries to your kitchen. With its contrast of crisp pastry and creamy filling, every bite is pure indulgence — yet it’s simpler than it looks.
So whether you’re baking for guests or simply spoiling yourself, give this classic French mille-feuille a try — and let each flaky, creamy layer transport you straight to Paris.
