Vanilla Berry Mille-Feuille is a classic French pastry that features layers of flaky puff pastry, rich vanilla pastry cream, and fresh berries. This elegant dessert is perfect for special occasions or a delightful treat to impress your guests.

Ingredients

For the Puff Pastry:

• 1 package (17.3 ounces) frozen puff pastry (2 sheets, thawed)
• 1 egg (beaten, for egg wash)
• Powdered sugar (for dusting)

For the Vanilla Pastry Cream:

• 2 cups whole milk
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• 4 large egg yolks
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

For the Berries:

• 1 cup mixed fresh berries (such as strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries)

Timing

Making Vanilla Berry Mille-Feuille takes about 30 minutes for preparation and 30-40 minutes for baking, plus chilling time for the pastry cream.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Puff Pastry

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Roll Out Pastry: On a lightly floured surface, roll out each sheet of puff pastry to smooth out creases. Cut each sheet into rectangles (about 3×5 inches).
3. Egg Wash: Place the pastry rectangles on the prepared baking sheet. Brush the tops with the beaten egg to give them a golden color when baked.
4. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown and puffed. Remove from the oven and let cool completely.

Step 2: Make the Vanilla Pastry Cream

1. Heat Milk: In a saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat until it begins to steam, but do not let it boil.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, cornstarch, and egg yolks until smooth.
3. Combine Mixtures: Gradually pour the hot milk into the egg mixture while whisking continuously to temper the eggs. Return the mixture to the saucepan.
4. Thicken Cream: Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until the mixture thickens and bubbles (about 3-5 minutes). Remove from heat and stir in the butter and vanilla extract. Let cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until set.

Step 3: Assemble the Mille-Feuille

1. Layer Pastry and Cream: Once the puff pastry and pastry cream are cool, start assembling by placing one puff pastry rectangle on a serving plate. Spread a layer of vanilla pastry cream on top, followed by a layer of mixed berries.
2. Repeat Layers: Add another puff pastry layer, followed by more pastry cream and berries. Repeat until you have three layers, finishing with a puff pastry rectangle on top.

Step 4: Serve

1. Dust with Powdered Sugar: Before serving, dust the top layer with powdered sugar for a decorative finish.
2. Slice and Enjoy: Slice the mille-feuille into portions and enjoy this elegant dessert!

Nutritional Information

Here’s a quick overview of the nutritional content of Vanilla Berry Mille-Feuille (per serving, based on 8 servings):

Nutrient	Amount per Serving
Calories	320
Protein	4g
Fat	18g
Carbohydrates	36g
Fiber	2g
Sugar	10g

Tips for Customization

• Flavor Variations: Add a splash of almond extract to the pastry cream for a different flavor.
• Different Fruits: Use seasonal fruits like peaches or cherries for a unique twist.
• Chocolate Drizzle: Drizzle melted chocolate over the top layer for added richness.

Conclusion

Vanilla Berry Mille-Feuille is a stunning and delicious dessert that combines the lightness of puff pastry with the creamy richness of vanilla pastry cream and the freshness of berries. This elegant treat is sure to impress at any gathering. Enjoy this delightful recipe!