Mille Feuille Recipe

Mak Erot

4 min read

·

Apr 06, 2025

20

Share

Mille-Feuille Recipe: A Flaky, Delicate Delight

The mille-feuille, also known as a Napoleon or thousand-leaf pastry, is a showstopper dessert. Its impressive layered structure of crisp puff pastry, creamy pastry cream, and delicate icing is as delicious as it is beautiful. This recipe will guide you through creating this classic French pastry, step-by-step.

Ingredients:

For the Puff Pastry:

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, very cold and cubed
• ¾ cup ice water

For the Pastry Cream:

• 2 cups whole milk
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup cornstarch
• ¼ tsp salt
• 2 large egg yolks
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the Icing:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2-4 tbsp milk or water
• ½ tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

Making the Puff Pastry:

1. Whisk dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
2. Cut in butter: Add the cold, cubed butter to the flour mixture. Using a pastry blender or your fingertips, cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Work quickly to prevent the butter from melting.
3. Add ice water: Gradually add the ice water, a tablespoon at a time, mixing lightly until the dough just comes together. Do not overmix.
4. Form the dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and gently form it into a rectangle.
5. Chill the dough: Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This allows the gluten to relax and the butter to firm up.
6. Roll and fold: On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough into a large rectangle (about 12x18 inches). Fold the dough into thirds, like a letter. Give it a quarter turn and repeat the rolling and folding process two more times. Refrigerate for another 30 minutes after each fold.
7. Bake the pastry: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Roll out the dough to about ⅛ inch thickness. Cut into three equal rectangles. Prick the rectangles with a fork several times. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown. Let cool completely.

Making the Pastry Cream:

1. Whisk dry ingredients: In a medium saucepan, whisk together the sugar, cornstarch, and salt.
2. Temper the yolks: Whisk the egg yolks in a separate bowl. Gradually whisk in a small amount of the hot milk to temper the yolks, preventing them from scrambling.
3. Combine and cook: Pour the tempered yolk mixture into the saucepan with the dry ingredients. Gradually whisk in the remaining milk. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and comes to a simmer.
4. Stir in butter and vanilla: Remove from heat and stir in the butter and vanilla extract until melted and smooth.
5. Cool the cream: Pour the pastry cream into a bowl, cover with plastic wrap directly on the surface to prevent a skin from forming, and refrigerate until completely cooled.

Assembling the Mille-Feuille:

1. Spread the cream: Once the pastry layers and pastry cream are completely cool, spread a generous layer of pastry cream onto one pastry rectangle.
2. Layer and repeat: Top with a second pastry rectangle and repeat with another layer of pastry cream.
3. Top layer: Place the final pastry rectangle on top.
4. Make the icing: Whisk together the powdered sugar, milk (or water), and vanilla extract until smooth and pourable.
5. Ice the mille-feuille: Drizzle or pour the icing over the top of the mille-feuille, allowing it to drip down the sides.
6. Chill and serve: Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before slicing and serving to allow the layers to set.

Tips and Variations:

• For a richer flavor, use vanilla bean paste instead of vanilla extract in the pastry cream.
• Dust the finished mille-feuille with powdered sugar for extra sweetness and visual appeal.
• You can substitute other fillings for the pastry cream, such as chocolate ganache or fruit curd.
• Consider using store-bought puff pastry to save time, but make sure to bake it according to package instructions.

This detailed recipe ensures a successful and delicious mille-feuille. Enjoy the process and the incredible taste of this classic French pastry! Remember to share your creations and tag us! Happy baking!