Description
Millefoglie is a classic Italian dessert featuring crisp layers of golden puff pastry filled with silky vanilla custard cream and finished with a light dusting of powdered sugar. It offers a delicate balance of creamy and flaky textures in every bite.
Ingredients
- 2 sheets puff pastry, thawed
- 500 ml whole milk
- 4 egg yolks
- 100 g granulated sugar
- 40 g cornstarch
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 200 ml heavy cream
- 2 tbsp powdered sugar, for dusting
- Fresh berries (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F) and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
- Place the puff pastry sheets on the tray, prick them all over with a fork, then cover with another sheet of parchment and a second tray to keep them flat.
- Bake for 15–20 minutes until golden and crisp. Allow the pastry to cool completely, then cut into equal rectangles.
- In a saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat until warm but not boiling.
- In a bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, sugar, and cornstarch until smooth and pale.
- Slowly pour the warm milk into the egg mixture while whisking constantly to prevent curdling.
- Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook over medium heat, whisking continuously until thick and creamy.
- Remove from heat, stir in the vanilla extract, and allow the custard to cool completely.
- In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream until soft peaks form, then gently fold it into the cooled custard.
- To assemble, place one puff pastry layer on a serving plate and spread a generous layer of custard cream on top.
- Add another pastry layer followed by more custard cream.
- Finish with a final puff pastry layer and dust generously with powdered sugar.
- Garnish with fresh berries if desired and chill for at least 30 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Chilling the assembled cake helps the layers set and makes slicing cleaner.
- You can cut the puff pastry into equal rectangles or squares depending on presentation.
- Fresh strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries pair especially well with the custard.
- The dessert can be prepared a few hours ahead and kept refrigerated until serving.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 360 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg
