Mille-feuille is a three layers of French pastry dipped in vanilla cream. (2024)

Mille-feuille (pronounced meel-foy) is a type of French pastry that is otherwise known as vanilla or custard slice. It is made from layers of thin puff pastry that is alternated with a cream filling and topped with a ganache. The flavours of mille-feuille are relatively simple, but it is the textural elements that make the dessert difficult to master. A perfect mille-feuille will be equally airy, flakey, decadent, and crispy.

Mille-feuille is very similar to the Italian dessert, Napoleon. The main difference between the two desserts is that a Napoleon is layered with almond paste instead of cream. A traditional mille-feuille will consist of three layers of puff pastry alternated with two layers of pastry cream. Icing sugar will be dusted over the top, along with cocoa powder, pastry crumbs, and sometimes crushed nuts. Another version of mille-feuille is glazed with chocolate and vanilla icing or fondant. Other variations of mille-feuille are layered with whipped cream and fruit, and topped with custard.

The term mille-feuille is French for ‘one thousand petals’, referring to the decadent layering of pastry in the dessert. The mille-feuille is experiencing a resurrection, reappearing on menus in restaurants all over the world in both sweet and savoury forms.

The history of mille-feuille

The exact origin of mille-feuille is unknown. However the different elements (e.g. pastry and cream) can be traced back to cookbooks as far as the 16th century. The earliest known mention of the term mille-feuille is in an 18th century cookbook by French chef, Vincent La Chapelle. This recipe, however, refers to a pastry stuffed with marmalade instead of cream. Most early references to mille-feuille feature jam as a stuffing. The first recipe that does not is by Urbain Dubois in 1876, made with Bavarian cream instead.In the Oxford Companion to Food, Alan Davidson attributes the origin of mille-feuille to a type of Hungarian dessert called Szegediner Torte.

Different names and variations of mille-feuille

Mille-feuille has different names in different regions, as well as different variations in the recipes and ingredients.

  • In Italy – Mille-feuille is called mille foglie and is not much different than the classic recipe. The main addition in Italian recipes is a layer of sponge cake as well as cream and puff pastry. Savoury variations exist that are stuffed with spinach, cheese, and pesto.
  • In the UK – Mille-feuille is called vanilla, custard, or cream slice and commonly served with just two slices of pastry with a single layer of cream.
  • In Canada – Mille-feuille is commonly referred to as gateaux Napoleon or Napoleon slice and stuffed with almond paste instead of cream. There is also a French Canadian variation where graham rackers replace puff pastry.
  • In Australia & New Zealand – It is commonly referred to as a custard slice or vanilla slice. Many variations also include passionfruit flavoured icing instead of cream.
  • In Sweden & Finland – Mille-feuille and Napoleon are combined in a dessert called Napoleonbakelse. This is stuffed with whipped cream, custard, and jam then glazed with icing and current jelly.
  • Latin America – Mille-feuille is called milhojas and layered with dulce de leche. In Colombia, a version exists that is stuffed with dulce de leche and melted bocadillo (guava paste) and topped with whipped cream and coconut flakes.

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Mille-feuille is a three layers of French pastry dipped in vanilla cream. (2024)

FAQs

What is mille-feuille made of? ›

Composition. Traditionally, a mille-feuille is made up of three layers of puff pastry and two layers of crème pâtissière. The top layer is coated with a sprinkling of powdered sugar. In later variations, the top is glazed with icing, in alternating white (icing) and brown (chocolate) strips, and then combed.

How many layers are in a mille-feuille? ›

A traditional mille-feuille will consist of three layers of puff pastry alternated with two layers of pastry cream. Icing sugar will be dusted over the top, along with cocoa powder, pastry crumbs, and sometimes crushed nuts. Another version of mille-feuille is glazed with chocolate and vanilla icing or fondant.

What is the difference between a vanilla slice and a mille-feuille? ›

A vanilla slice is usually a very thick slab of custard sandwiched between two thin puff sheets. A mille feuille is more decorative, could have multiple custard (or diplomat cream) layers and looks very sophisticated. It is one of the simplest things you can make with a puff sheet, yet looks so elegant!

What does mille-feuille mean in French? ›

French, from mille feuilles a thousand leaves.

What is mille-feuille crust? ›

Meaning “a thousand layers” in French, the mille-feuille is known for its seemingly countless layers of puff pastry. With a dash of crème fraîche in the airy pastry cream and Président® butter folded into the dough, our Mille-Feuilles are simple yet decadent.

What are French pastries made of? ›

It is made using flour, fat (be it butter or vegetable oil), and water in most countries. Most French pastries are made from scratch with fresh ingredients, but you can also find frozen and pre-made versions in many grocery stores.

How many layers are in pastry? ›

A typical Puff Pastry can have a ranges of between 500 - 700 layers depending on the total of folds involved. You can fold the dough in a number of different ways and the two most common ways are called the " Single Fold / Letter Fold" and "Double Fold/ Book Fold".

What is a French pastry named for its layers? ›

The mille-feuille is a simple French classic named for its layers. The beauty of a mille-feuille (literally “thousand sheets”) is its simplicity: three layers of crisp, golden puff pastry stacked with two layers of piped crème pâtissière (a type of custard with flour).

How to eat a mille-feuille? ›

You eat it the same way you eat a loaded hamburger : messily. Seriously, I should not be a "hard" pastry, you should be able to cut it with a knife. Yes, some of the filling will spread out. Also, it should not be refrigerated, or at least left out of the fridge before serving, so that the cream/custard softened.

How long does mille-feuille last in the fridge? ›

Refrigerate uncovered for at least 30 minutes before serving, or up to 8 hours. The soft filling will spill out the sides when you cut or bite into it, and that's expected. Store mille-feuille in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The pastry will become softer and less crisp over time.

What country is mille-feuille from? ›

The Mille-Feuille is a cake that ranks among the great staples of French patisserie. And it's a long-standing tradition! Its origins date back to 1651, no less. The creation is attributed to François Pierre de la Varenne, a chef from Dijon.

What's the difference between a Napoleon and a mille-feuille? ›

What's the Difference Between Mille-Feuille and Napoleon? Both a Napoleon and mille-feuille consist of crispy puff pastry layers and cream, but the former traditionally uses almond cream, while the latter contains a rich custard pastry cream.

Is pastry cream the same as custard? ›

Put simply, pastry cream is a type of custard. Adding cornstarch to the vanilla custard will give you a thick, firm substance (almost like vanilla pudding) that will hold its shape when piped. Custard that you can pour, which is only thickened with eggs, is actually called crème anglaise.

How do you eat mille-feuille cake? ›

The way many people I know use is to lift the layers and eat them individually. Either pick them up in their hands or put the layer on the plate and use tools to cut. You eat it the same way you eat a loaded hamburger : messily. Seriously, I should not be a "hard" pastry, you should be able to cut it with a knife.

Does mille-feuille mean a thousand leaves? ›

Mille-Feuille means “a thousand leaves.” This French dessert is a delicate tower of crisp puff pasty and luscious pastry cream.

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