Description
Delicate layers of buttery pastry showcase the classic vanilla mille-feuille from France. Pastry chefs craft crisp, flaky sheets with silky vanilla cream, creating an exquisite dessert you’ll savor with pure culinary delight.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 package frozen puff pastry
- 2 cups (473 ml) whole milk
- 6 egg yolks
- ½ vanilla bean, split lengthwise
- ⅔ cup (135 g) sugar
- ¼ cup (37 g) cornstarch
- 1 tbsp (15 g) unsalted butter, cold
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- ¼ cup milk
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup whipping cream
- 3 tbsps powdered sugar
Instructions
- Flavor Extraction: Meticulously split the vanilla bean and scrape out seeds, releasing aromatic essence into warm milk, allowing 15-minute infusion to maximize flavor depth.
- Custard Foundation: Whisk sugar, cornstarch, and egg yolks until silky, then gradually incorporate heated milk mixture, stirring continuously to create a smooth, velvety pastry cream.
- Cream Preparation: Cook custard over medium-high heat until pudding-like consistency develops, incorporating butter for luxurious richness. Cover with plastic wrap directly touching surface and chill thoroughly for minimum 2 hours.
- Pastry Transformation: Thaw puff pastry, roll gently on floured surface, and precisely cut into rectangular shapes. Preheat oven to 400°F, layer pastry between parchment sheets to ensure uniform golden crispness during 11-minute baking process.
- Glaze Artistry: Craft elegant vanilla and chocolate glazes by blending powdered sugar, vanilla extract, milk, and cocoa powder. Prepare piping bags for decorative finishing touches.
- Cream Integration: Whip heavy cream with sugar until soft peaks form, delicately folding into chilled pastry cream to create light, airy filling.
- Architectural Assembly: Layer baked pastry rectangles with cream mixture, alternating with decorative glaze. Embellish top with intricate chocolate stripes and chevron patterns for sophisticated presentation.
- Refinement: Refrigerate assembled dessert for 30 minutes, allowing layers to harmonize and set before serving this exquisite French-inspired delicacy.
Notes
- Vanilla Seed Extraction: Carefully split the vanilla bean and scrape out seeds using a knife’s tip to maximize flavor intensity.
- Tempering Technique: Slowly add hot milk to egg mixture while whisking constantly to prevent scrambling and ensure smooth custard.
- Pastry Precision: Roll and cut puff pastry rectangles with sharp tools to maintain clean, uniform edges for professional-looking layers.
- Glaze Consistency: Adjust milk or sugar gradually to achieve a spreadable, glossy glaze that drizzles beautifully without being too runny or thick.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 11 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 36 g
- Sodium: 80 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 49 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 145 mg