Mille feuille, also known as Napoleon or custard slice, is a classic French dessert that originated in the 18th century. However, it has become a staple in Italian bakeries and homes, with slight variations in the recipe. This delectable pastry consists of layers of crisp puff pastry, rich pastry cream, and a sweet glaze on top. It may seem intimidating to make at home, but with the right recipe and technique, you can recreate this delicious dessert in the comfort of your own kitchen. In this article, we will share a traditional Italian mille feuille recipe that will impress your family and friends.
Ingredients:
Puff Pastry:
- 1 sheet of frozen puff pastry, thawed
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 tablespoon of water
Pastry Cream:
- 1 ½ cups of whole milk
- 1/3 cup of granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons of cornstarch
- 3 egg yolks
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter
Glaze:
- 1 cup of confectioners' sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons of milk
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Puff Pastry
To begin, preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius). Roll out the thawed puff pastry sheet on a floured surface, into a rectangular shape about ¼ inch thick. Then, cut the pastry sheet into three equal-sized rectangles. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
2. Bake the Pastry
In a small bowl, mix together the beaten egg and water to make an egg wash. Brush the egg wash over the puff pastry rectangles. This will give the pastry a beautiful golden color. Bake the pastry for 15-20 minutes until it is puffed and golden brown. Let it cool completely on a wire rack.
3. Make the Pastry Cream
In a saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat until it comes to a simmer. In a separate bowl, whisk together the sugar, cornstarch, and egg yolks until smooth. Slowly pour the hot milk into the egg mixture, whisking constantly. Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until the mixture thickens. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla and butter until fully incorporated.
4. Assemble the Mille Feuille
Once the pastry and pastry cream have cooled, it's time to assemble the mille feuille. Place one pastry rectangle on a serving plate and spread a layer of pastry cream on top. Place another pastry rectangle on top and repeat the process until all three rectangles are stacked with pastry cream in between. Trim any excess pastry from the sides for a clean finish.
5. Make the Glaze
In a small bowl, mix together the confectioners' sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Drizzle the glaze over the top of the mille feuille, allowing it to drip down the sides.
6. Serve and Enjoy!
Cover the mille feuille and refrigerate for at least an hour before serving. This will allow the pastry cream to set and make it easier to cut. Serve chilled and enjoy this decadent Italian dessert.
Using this traditional Italian mille feuille recipe, you can create a delicious and impressive dessert that will transport your taste buds to Italy. With its flaky pastry, creamy filling, and sweet glaze, this mille feuille is sure to become a favorite among your friends and family. Give it a try and elevate your baking skills to a whole new level.
Now that you have the recipe, it's time to put on your apron and get baking. Impress your loved ones with this classic Italian dessert and make them feel like they're dining in a cozy cafe in Rome. Buon appetito!
HTML Code:
<h2>Ingredients:</h2>
<h3>Puff Pastry:</h3>
<ul>
<li><b>1 sheet of frozen puff pastry, thawed</b></li>
<li>1 egg, beaten</li>
<li>1 tablespoon of water</li>
</ul>
<h3>Pastry Cream:</h3>
<ul>
<li>1 ½ cups of whole milk</li>
<li>1/3 cup of granulated sugar</li>
<li>2 tablespoons of cornstarch</li>
<li>3 egg yolks</li>
<li>1 teaspoon of vanilla extract</li>
<li>2 tablespoons of unsalted butter</li>
</ul>
<h3>Glaze:</h3>
<ul>
<li>1 cup of confectioners' sugar</li>
<li>2-3 tablespoons of milk</li>
<li>1 teaspoon of vanilla extract</li>
</ul>
<h2>Instructions:</h2>
<h3>1. Prepare the Puff Pastry</h3>
<p>To begin, preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius). Roll out the thawed puff pastry sheet on a floured surface, into a rectangular shape about ¼ inch thick. Then, cut the pastry sheet into three equal-sized rectangles. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.</p>
<h3>2. Bake the Pastry</h3>
<p>In a small bowl, mix together the beaten egg and water to make an egg wash. Brush the egg wash over the puff pastry rectangles. This will give the pastry a beautiful golden color. Bake the pastry for 15-20 minutes until it is puffed and golden brown. Let it cool completely on a wire rack.</p>
<h3>3. Make the Pastry Cream</h3>
<p>In a saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat until it comes to a simmer. In a separate bowl, whisk together the sugar, cornstarch, and egg yolks until smooth. Slowly pour the hot milk into the egg mixture, whisking constantly. Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until the mixture thickens. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla and butter until fully incorporated.</p>
<h3>4. Assemble the Mille Feuille</h3>
<p>Once the pastry and pastry cream have cooled, it's time to assemble the mille feuille. Place one pastry rectangle on a serving plate and spread a layer of pastry cream on top. Place another pastry rectangle on top and repeat the process until all three rectangles are stacked with pastry cream in between. Trim any excess pastry from the sides for a clean finish.</p>
<h3>5. Make the Glaze</h3>
<p>In a small bowl, mix together the confectioners' sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Drizzle the glaze over the top of the mille feuille, allowing it to drip down the sides.</p>
<h3>6. Serve and Enjoy!</h3>
<p>Cover the mille feuille and refrigerate for at least an hour before serving. This will allow the pastry cream to set and make it easier to cut. Serve chilled and enjoy this decadent Italian dessert.</p>
<p>Now that you have the recipe, it's time to put on your apron and get baking. Impress your loved ones with this classic Italian dessert and make them feel like they're dining in a cozy cafe in Rome. Buon appetito!</p>