In the realm of pastry, few creations can match the elegance and sophistication of a well-made millefeuille. Today, we will be exploring a delightful variation of this classic dessert: the Millefeuille with Diplomatic Cream.
Millefeuille with Diplomatic Cream Recipe
MILLEFEUILLE WITH DIPLOMATIC CREAM
This is a classical dessert which tells its history through taste, consistency and elegance in flavors. This is why we think it’s something you won’t miss in a special menu or to celebrate a special occasion.
Equipment
- 1 oven
Ingredients
For the sheets:
- 1 roll of rectangular puff pastry
- Granulated sugar for sprinkling
Custard
- 1 egg yolk
- 30 gr of sugar
- 8 gr of potato starch or cornstarch or 1 tablespoon of flour
- 125 gr of milk
- A piece of organic lemon zest
Cocoa custard
- 1 egg yolk
- 30 gr of sugar
- 8 gr of potato starch or cornstarch
- 125 gr of milk
- 1 teaspoon of unsweetened cocoa powder
Fresh milk cream
- 300 gr of cold sweetened whipping cream
- 1 sachet of vanillin
- * If you have unsweetened cream use 30 gr of icing sugar
Instructions
Custard
- Beat the egg in a bowl with the sugar and the potato starch. Put the milk in a saucepan with the lemon zest, heat it well without boiling, remove the lemon zest, and pour it slowly into the egg and sugar mixture.
- Mix well with a whisk while doing this. Return to the heat and bring to a boil, low heat, stirring. Let the cream thicken, it will only take a few minutes then transfer it to a bowl, cover with plastic wrap making it adhere well to the cream so that it does not form a skin. Let it cool completely.
Cocoa Custard
- Repeat the procedures of the custard by adding a teaspoon of unsweetened cocoa powder to the egg, sugar and cornstarch. Don’t put lemon zest in milk in this case.
Puff pastry
- Turn on the oven at 180°C ventilated, 190°C if you have a static oven. Unroll the puff pastry, divide it into three equal parts on the longest side and cut with a knife to obtain three rectangles. Prick with a fork the entire surface of the sheets, this will prevent them from swelling, sprinkle the surface with granulated sugar and bake for about 20 minutes, when the sheet become golden is ready. Let it cool down.
Fresh Whipped Cream:
- Put the cream in a large bowl, add the vanillin and start whipping with the electric whisk. Start with the slowest speed and then increase. Continue until the cream is very firm. If you need to sweeten the cream, add the icing sugar at the beginning when the cream is still liquid, little by little.
- Diplomatic Cream
- Diplomatic cream is a basic pastry preparation that involves the combination of custard and sweetened whipped cream.
- Put the custard and cocoa custard done before in two different bowls, add the whipped cream, half to each, mix well from bottom to top so you will not ruin the creams.
- At this point transfer them into two pastry bags with large star spouts.
- Start decorating the first sheet of puff pastry with the white diplomatic cream, make the same number of tufts for each row. Continue with the second sheet using the diplomatic cocoa cream. For the last sheet, alternate a line with white cream and one with cocoa cream. If you only have one spout, first make one cream and then the other, for the double-colored pastry leave an empty line between one and the other in order to subsequently insert the second cream.
- Take the pastry with cocoa cream and place it on top of the one with white cream. Lastly, put the two-tone cream sheet. Keep it in the refrigerator untill it’s time to serve the Millefeuille.
Video
Notes
When we talk about a classic dessert like this, we generally think there’s nothing to change except the flavors of the creams you are preparing maintaining the classical basic cream. So you can replace chocolate cream with a fruity cream including some fresh minced fruit pieces.
About Millefeuille with Diplomatic Cream
Millefeuille, which translates to “a thousand leaves,” is a French pastry known for its delicate layers of puff pastry and cream. In this recipe, we use diplomatic cream, a luxurious blend of pastry cream and whipped cream, which adds a light, airy texture that contrasts beautifully with the crisp puff pastry. The result is a dessert that is both rich and delicate, satisfying yet not overly sweet.
Cooking Tips
- Making Puff Pastry: While you can buy ready-made puff pastry, making it from scratch will give your millefeuille a more authentic flavor and texture.
- Preparing Diplomatic Cream: Ensure that your pastry cream is completely cool before folding in the whipped cream to prevent it from deflating.
- Assembling the Millefeuille: Assemble the millefeuille just before serving to keep the puff pastry crisp.
- Cutting the Millefeuille: Use a serrated knife and a gentle sawing motion to cut the millefeuille without squashing the layers.
- Adding a Personal Touch: Feel free to customize your millefeuille with different flavors or decorations. You could add fruit, chocolate, or even a dusting of powdered sugar.
Serving Suggestions
- With Coffee or Tea: The millefeuille’s rich flavors pair wonderfully with a cup of coffee or tea.
- As a Dessert Course: Serve this millefeuille as the grand finale to a gourmet meal.
- With Fresh Berries: Fresh berries add a tart contrast that complements the sweet, creamy millefeuille.
- With a Glass of Dessert Wine: A sweet dessert wine can enhance the flavors of the millefeuille.
- On a Dessert Platter: Include this millefeuille on a dessert platter with other pastries for a decadent treat.
FAQs
- Can I make the components ahead of time? Yes, you can prepare the puff pastry and diplomatic cream in advance, but assemble them just before serving.
- Can I use a different type of cream? Yes, you can use whipped cream, pastry cream, or even custard, but this will change the texture and flavor of the millefeuille.
- Can I add fruit to the millefeuille? Absolutely, adding fruit can provide a refreshing contrast to the rich cream.
- How do I store leftover millefeuille? Unfortunately, millefeuille doesn’t store well as the puff pastry will lose its crispness. It’s best enjoyed fresh.
- Can I make a vegan version of this recipe? Yes, you can use vegan puff pastry and a dairy-free cream alternative.
The Millefeuille with Diplomatic Cream is a dessert that truly celebrates the art of pastry making. With its delicate layers of puff pastry and light, creamy filling, it’s a treat that is sure to impress. Whether you’re an experienced baker or a novice, this recipe offers a delightful challenge and a delicious reward. So why not give it a try? Experience the joy of creating this elegant dessert and savor the exquisite taste of the Millefeuille with Diplomatic Cream.