Millefoglie (Italian Custard And Puff Pastry Cake)

Name: Millefoglie (Italian Custard And Puff Pastry Cake)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: For the diplomat cream; 4 egg yolks; 3 tablespoons sugar; 3 tablespoons flour; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (or 1 vanilla pod, scraped); 1 lemon, zested; 2 cups (500 ml) milk, warmed; 1 1/4 cups (310 ml) chilled single cream, whipped to firm peaks; For assembly; 3 sheets butter (store bought) puff pastry, chilled; 1 punnet fresh strawberries or other berries; 1 handful fresh cherries or other fruit; 1 dash confectioner's sugar for dusting

Servings: persons

For the diplomat cream
4 egg yolks
3 tablespoons sugar
3 tablespoons flour
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (or 1 vanilla pod, scraped)
1 lemon, zested
2 cups (500 ml) milk, warmed
1 1/4 cups (310 ml) chilled single cream, whipped to firm peaks
For assembly
3 sheets butter (store bought) puff pastry, chilled
1 punnet fresh strawberries or other berries
1 handful fresh cherries or other fruit
1 dash confectioner's sugar for dusting

1
["Combine yolks, sugar, flour, vanilla, and lemon zest in a saucepan and mix together. Add warm milk, a little at a time, stirring constantly until smooth. Cook on a very low flame, stirring with wooden spoon until mixture almost reaches boiling point. Cook a further 3-4 minutes on lowest setting. If you find it getting lumpy, take off the heat and whisk quickly to remove the lumps. Take off heat, then pour into a wide, shallow dish to cool completely and quickly.", "Once cool, leave in fridge until chilled, then fold the whipped cream into the cooled custard. Keep in the fridge until ready to use (can be kept up to 3 days).", "Prick pastry all over the surface with a fork then bake on cookie trays in a hot oven at about 390u00b0 F/200u00b0 C until golden brown and puffed, about 10 -15 minutes. If they puff too much, they can be poked further during cooking to release the extra air and they can also be trimmed with a serrated knife to even and flatten out the sheet after cooking. Leave to cool completely.", "Set aside the ""flattest"" puff pastry sheet for the top. Place a layer of puff pastry on a serving plate or tray, then cover with half of the diplomat cream. Place another layer of pastry, then the rest of the diplomat cream. Place the final sheet of pastry on top of the cream, then layer with fruit. I like to slice the strawberries but leave other berries and cherries whole. If you're not serving it immediately (or within half an hour), wrap in plastic wrap and store in the fridge. Take it out of the fridge 30 minutes before serving to take the chill off. Dust generously with confectioner's sugar before serving. Cut portions carefully with a serrated knife."]

701

kcal

Calories

Fat

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Preheat the oven fully and bake on the middle rack for the most even results.
Check for doneness a few minutes early — a toothpick in the center should come out with just a few moist crumbs.
Let it cool before slicing so it sets properly and holds its shape.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Use a neutral oil or a plant-based spread in place of butter for a dairy-free version.
Brown sugar instead of white sugar adds a deeper, more caramel-like flavor.
A good 1:1 gluten-free flour blend works well if you need a gluten-free version.
Coconut cream is a reliable plant-based alternative to dairy cream.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

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How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 13 ingredients. The key ingredients include: For the diplomat cream, 4 egg yolks, 3 tablespoons sugar, 3 tablespoons flour, and more.

Yes, Millefoglie (Italian Custard And Puff Pastry Cake) falls under the Baking & Desserts category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3–5 days. For longer storage, freeze for up to 3 months — no need to refrigerate or reheat.

That's it — enjoy your meal!