Layers of flaky puff pastry, rich white chocolate cream and tart berries make this easy Mille-Feuille a perfect showstopper dessert.
You guys! It’s Simply Delicious’ 7th birthday today. Say whaaat?! 7 years ago today a whole new world opened up for me and I didn’t even know it. 7 years ago today I was a stay-at-home-mom, bored out of my mind, needing an outlet for my creativity. I didn’t know what I was going to do with my life and had no idea how to channel my passion for cooking and food into anything lucrative or rewarding. All I knew was that starting a blog would give me something to do every day. Fast forward 7 years, that little blog gave me a successful career as a food stylist, photographer, recipe developer and writer. I have consulted with massive International brands, developed recipes for dream clients, been featured on some of the world’s biggest websites and have loved every step of the way. How even?
And the people! I’ve made the best of friends through this platform and honestly, I’m feeling so incredibly happy and grateful today. Who would’ve thought a little blog, starting out with horrific photography and average recipes could result in all of this? Just wow.
So to celebrate today I am giving you one of my all-time favourite recipes and one which actually featured in my first cookbook. This easy, cheat’s version of a classic French Mille-Feuille (also known as custard slice/Napoleon) is a showstopper of note and requires only a little effort.
The effort in question is the white chocolate cream which is so good, I have fantasies of diving head first into a giant vat of the stuff. It’s basically a standard custard cream (or creme patisserie if you want to get fancy) with the addition of white chocolate. However, if you prefer to keep things really simple, simple whipped cream would be delicious as well. And the berries are interchangeable too. Stewed apples/pears scented with cinnamon would be perfect in a autumn version of this lush dessert and even stone fruit could work. But berries are just so gorgeous, aren’t they? If you’re making this for a crowd, bake the puff pastry in large sheets and make a big Mille-feuille to slice table-side. You’ll impress the pants right off your guests. Guaranteed.
Easy Mille-Feuille with white chocolate cream and berries
Ingredients
for the white chocolate cream
- 300 ml full cream milk whole milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 egg yolks
- ¼ cup caster sugar
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 2 tablespoons cornflour corn starch
- pinch of salt
- 100 g white chocolate finely chopped
for the pastry
- 1 roll ready-made puff pastry thawed
- 3 tablespoons caster sugar
to serve
- fresh berries of your choice
- icing sugar
Instructions
- To make the white chocolate cream, heat the milk and vanilla in a medium saucepan until just before boiling point (this is called scalding).
- In the meantime, mix together the egg yolks, sugar, flours and pinch of salt until the mixture is smooth and thick.
- Once the milk mixture is hot, pour it slowly into the egg yolk mixture whilst continuously whisking.
- When all the milk has been incorporated, transfer the runny mixture back to the saucepan and over a gentle heat, allow to cook and thicken, whisking continuously.
- Once the mixture is thick and there is no flouriness when you taste it, remove it from the heat and beat in the chopped white chocolate. Stir until the chocolate has melted and then pass the mixture through a sieve just in case there are any lumps.
- Place in a bowl and put a piece of cling film directly onto the surface of the cream to prevent a skin from forming. Place in the fridge and allow to cool.
- To make the pastry layers, start by pre-heating the oven to 180°c and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Roll the puff pastry out on a floured surface and cut into 8-12 rectangles of 5cmx10cm (depending on whether you want 2 or 3 layers). Place the rectangles onto the prepared baking sheet and sprinkle with caster sugar.
- Place in the oven and bake for 10 minutes until the pastry is golden brown and puffed up.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely. To assemble the Mille-Feuille, layer the pastry rectangles with the white chocolate cream and berries. Dust with icing sugar and serve immediately.
Easy Caramel Tiramisu
Wow! Happy, happy seven years! You’re an inspiration with your gorgeous photos, tasty recipes and kind heart. Kudos!
Thanks so much Cathy! 🙂 You’re a doll.
I had my first Mille Feuille when we were in France for our honeymoon, so this post brings back wonderful memories. Just beautiful! 🙂
Thanks so much! 🙂
Congratulations, Alida! 7 years what an accomplishment – I’m so impressed with all that you’ve done! Your photos and recipes are just gorgeous and you deserve all the success you’ve created. And please send me a big slice of this delicious cake!
Thanks so much Geraldine! 🙂 Your words are very kind and much appreciated.
This is so beautiful! And it looks easy enough that even a mediocre baker like me could pull it off haha.
Thanks so much Natasha! 🙂
I LOVE a good Mille Feuille and this one looks too good to be true. Those berries are so pretty. And congratulations on 7 years of blogging. May Simply delicious just go from strength to strength.
Thanks so much Nadine! 🙂
Congrats! Thank you for 7 years of simply delicious recipes! This dessert looks amazing. Will definitely try it the next time I have guests over.
Thanks Nina! Let me know what you think once you’ve tried it.
Wow! Congratulations on 7 years of blogging. Your blog is the only one I cook from regularly and your recipes never fail to impress. Here’s to many more!
Thanks so much Jenni! I’m so glad you find my recipes useful. x
Congratulations to you on your seven years! I had no idea you’ve been doing this for so long! You should be so proud of the beautiful work you create. I’d like to celebrate with some of that cake!
Thanks so much Karen. It means so much. x
Congratulations! Where do the years go?? I remember my mamma trying to make this. I don’t remember what she called it but it was delicious. The dessert looks beautiful and I’m anxious to make it. Have a wonderful weekend.
Thanks so much Marisa. This recipe is definitely a showstopper. 🙂
WOW! 7 years Alida?! A huge congratulations to you!! So much time and effort goes into your blog and that’s easy to see! I love stopping by to see what you’re cooking up and what’s going on in your corner of the world! So happy I was able to virtually meet you. I love collaborating together! Best of luck for many more successful years at Simply Delicious! What a perfect dessert for a wonderful celebration!
Thanks so much Mary Ann. It means so much coming from you. x
Happy birthday to your blog. Love this recipe, too pretty
Thanks so much! 🙂