Mille-Feuille (Napoleon)
Mille-Feuille, also called Napoleon, is a classic French pastry built from thin, crisp layers of puff pastry filled with vanilla custard cream. The top is finished with a dusting of confectioners' sugar or a thin fondant glaze. Assembling the layers takes patience, but the result is a showstopping pastry worth the effort.
Equipment
- Rolling pin
- Baking sheet
- Parchment Paper
- Knife
- Pastry brush
- Mixer
- Large saucepan
Ingredients
For the Puff Pastry:
- 1 package puff pastry sheets thawed if frozen
For the Custard Filling:
- 2 cups whole milk preferably organic
- 1 piece vanilla pod split and scraped
- 6 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour sifted
- 4 large egg yolks
For Assembly & Garnish:
- 1 cup confectioner's sugar for dusting
Instructions
Prepare the Puff Pastry:
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (205°C). Roll out the puff pastry sheets on a lightly floured surface until they are about 1/8-inch thick. Cut into equal rectangles about 4x8 inches. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and prick them all over with a fork to prevent rising.
Bake:
- Cover with another layer of parchment paper and place a second baking sheet on top to weigh down the pastry. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown. Allow to cool.
Make the Custard Filling:
- Heat milk and vanilla pod in a large saucepan until just below boiling. In a separate bowl, whisk together the sugar and egg yolks until pale, then mix in the flour. Pour the hot milk over the egg mixture gradually, stirring constantly, then return this to the saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring until the mixture thickens and reaches a custard consistency.
Chill the Custard:
- Remove the vanilla pod and cover the custard with plastic wrap, ensuring it touches the surface to prevent skin formation. Chill until cold.
Assemble the Mille-Feuille:
- Layer puff pastry and custard, starting with pastry, then custard, and repeat. Finish with a layer of pastry.
Garnish:
- Dust the top layer of pastry with confectioner's sugar before serving.
Notes
- For added flavor, consider infusing the custard with a hint of citrus zest, such as lemon or orange.
- For a lighter version, substitute half of the milk with almond milk.
- To ensure perfectly even pastry layers, rotate the baking sheet halfway through the baking time.
Nutrition
Calories: 679kcalCarbohydrates: 77gProtein: 11gFat: 37gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 20gCholesterol: 132mgSodium: 240mgPotassium: 190mgFiber: 1gSugar: 36gVitamin A: 296IUCalcium: 124mgIron: 3mg
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