Easy Strawberry Millefeuille Cake Recipe

Here is an Easy Strawberry Millefeuille Cake to prepare at Home, also known as Strawberry Napoleon, which is a classic French dessert that features layers of delicate puff pastry, creamy pastry cream, fresh strawberries, and whipped cream. It is a beautiful and elegant dessert that combines crisp, flaky pastry with luscious cream and the vibrant sweetness of strawberries.

The cake is composed of multiple layers of golden, buttery puff pastry. The pastry is made by folding layers of butter into a dough, which creates a light, airy texture when baked. The puff pastry sheets are rolled out and baked until they become golden and crispy, providing a satisfying crunch to contrast with the creamy fillings.

The star of the cake is the creamy pastry cream. It is a rich custard-like filling made with milk, sugar, egg yolks, and cornstarch. The mixture is cooked until thickened, resulting in a smooth, velvety texture. The pastry cream adds a luxurious and indulgent element to the cake, providing a smooth and creamy layer between the flaky pastry.

Fresh strawberries are an essential component of Strawberry Millefeuille Cake. The strawberries are sliced and mixed with a little sugar, allowing them to release their juices and develop a sweet, syrupy flavor. The strawberries provide a burst of freshness and a delightful fruity element to the cake.

Whipped cream is another key element that adds lightness and creaminess to the dessert. It is made by whipping heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until it reaches a stiff, fluffy consistency. The whipped cream adds a delightful cloud-like layer that complements the other components of the cake.

When assembled, the layers of puff pastry, pastry cream, strawberries, and whipped cream create a visually stunning dessert. The cake is often finished with a dusting of powdered sugar, which adds a touch of elegance and completes the presentation.

The combination of textures and flavors in Strawberry Millefeuille Cake is simply irresistible. The crispness of the puff pastry, the creaminess of the pastry cream, the juiciness of the strawberries, and the lightness of the whipped cream come together to create a harmonious and delectable dessert. It’s a perfect choice for special occasions, elegant parties, or simply to indulge in a luxurious treat. So, here’s a recipe for a delicious Strawberry Millefeuille Cake:

Ingredients:

For the pastry cream:

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

For the cake layers:

• 1 package of store-bought puff pastry sheets (2 sheets)
• Powdered sugar, for dusting

For the strawberry filling:

• 2 cups of fresh strawberries, sliced
• 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar

For the whipped cream:

• 1 cup of heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons of powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Firstly, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Prepare the pastry cream: In a medium saucepan, combine the milk and half of the sugar. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, cornstarch, and remaining sugar until well combined. Then, slowly pour the hot milk mixture into the egg yolk mixture, whisking constantly.
4. Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens and comes to a boil. Remove from heat.
5. Stir in the butter and vanilla extract until the butter melts and the mixture is smooth. Then, transfer the pastry cream to a bowl, cover it with plastic wrap, pressing it directly onto the surface of the cream to prevent skin from forming. Chill in the refrigerator until completely cool.
6. Prepare the strawberry filling: In a bowl, combine the sliced strawberries and granulated sugar. Stir well and set aside for about 15 minutes to allow the strawberries to release their juices.
7. Prepare the whipped cream: In a mixing bowl, whip the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form. Then, roll out the puff pastry sheets on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4-inch thickness. Cut the pastry into rectangles of your desired size.
8. Place the pastry rectangles on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes or until golden brown and puffed. Remove from the oven and let them cool completely. Then, assemble the millefeuille: Take one pastry rectangle and spread a layer of the chilled pastry cream on top. Add a layer of the strawberry filling, and then a layer of whipped cream. Repeat this process for the desired number of layers.
9. Place the final pastry rectangle on top and dust it with powdered sugar. Refrigerate the millefeuille cake for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld together.
10. Finally, slice the cake into individual portions and serve chilled.

Enjoy your homemade Strawberry Millefeuille Cake!