Yields: 3 servings
Craft an exquisite dessert with this Simple Elegance Mille Feuille recipe, where airy layers of puff pastry are married with rich vanilla pastry cream and adorned with fresh berries for a touch of sophistication.
Ingredients
For the Layers:
1 sheet of ready-made frozen puff pastry
A dusting of powdered sugar
Fresh berries for a vibrant finish
Optional: A brush of maple syrup for extra gloss
For the Vanilla Pastry Cream:
250 milliliters of whole milk
50 grams of granulated sugar
3 egg yolks, for a rich and creamy texture
The seeds scraped from half a vanilla pod
20 grams of cornstarch for thickening
25 grams of unsalted butter
A tiny pinch of salt to enhance flavor
Instructions
Begin by allowing the frozen puff pastry to thaw. Then, cut it into nine equal pieces that will puff into golden layers.
Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper, arrange the pastry pieces, and generously pierce them with a fork. This will prevent them from rising too much.
Sweeten the pastry with a sprinkle of powdered sugar, then cover with another sheet of parchment. Weigh it down with a second baking tray to keep the pastry delightfully thin.
Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (356°F) for 15-20 minutes or until each piece is golden and crisp. Once done, set aside to cool.
For the pastry cream, warm the milk in a saucepan. Whisk together the egg yolks, sugar, cornstarch, and salt in a bowl, then stir in the vanilla seeds for a fragrant infusion.
Gradually incorporate the hot milk into the egg mixture, stirring continuously to prevent curdling.
Transfer the mixture back to the pot and cook over medium heat, stirring until it thickens into a lush cream.
Once thickened, remove from heat and blend in the butter until smooth.
Allow the pastry cream to cool. To prevent a skin from forming, press a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the surface.
Assemble the Mille Feuille by layering the puff pastry and the cooled pastry cream, starting and ending with a pastry layer. Aim for three layers of pastry and two of cream.
Assemble a total of three individual Mille Feuilles, and dust the top layer with powdered sugar. Optionally, add a sheen with maple syrup and adorn with berries.
Gently chill the assembled Mille Feuille in the refrigerator for about an hour to set.
Serve this Simple Elegance Mille Feuille as a sophisticated end to a meal, or as a luxurious treat to elevate your afternoon. Each bite is a celebration of texture and taste, a true testament to the art of simple yet stunning desserts. Enjoy your creation!
