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Napoleon pastry dessert

Napoleon Pastry Dessert (Mille Feuille)

Napoleon pastry dessert is a classic French treat made with crispy puff pastry layers filled with creamy custard and topped with sugar, icing, or berries. It’s elegant, flaky, and surprisingly simple to make at home.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Chilling time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 45 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: French
Calories: 400
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the puff pastry:
  • 1 package puff pastry sheets store-bought
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar optional
For the pastry cream filling:
  • 4 large egg yolks
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup cornstarch
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Topping:
  • Powdered sugar for dusting OR
  • Simple icing optional
  • Fresh berries optional
  • Melted chocolate optional

Method
 

  1. Bake the pastry layers: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Roll out puff pastry slightly and place on parchment-lined baking sheet. Prick with a fork, cover with parchment, and place another baking tray on top. Bake 15–20 minutes until golden and crisp. Cool, then cut into even rectangles.
  2. Make the pastry cream: In a saucepan, heat milk until almost simmering. In a bowl, whisk egg yolks, sugar, and cornstarch. Slowly whisk in hot milk. Return mixture to saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring until thick. Remove from heat, stir in butter and vanilla. Cool completely.
  3. Assemble the dessert: Place one puff pastry layer on a serving plate. Spread pastry cream evenly. Repeat layers, finishing with puff pastry on top.
  4. Decorate: Dust with powdered sugar, drizzle chocolate, or top with berries.
  5. Chill and serve: Refrigerate at least 1 hour before slicing with a serrated knife. Serve cold.

Notes

  • Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 2 days.
  • For extra crunch, assemble shortly before serving.
  • You can swap vanilla for almond or coffee extract for a twist.
  • Fresh fruit inside the layers makes it lighter and brighter.