Description
A classic French dessert made with layers of flaky puff pastry and rich vanilla custard, topped with whipped cream and optionally drizzled with caramel.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 sheets puff pastry (store-bought or homemade, about 9x12 inches each)
- Powdered sugar, for dusting
- 2 cups (500 ml) whole milk
- 4 large egg yolks
- ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
- 3 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract (or 1 vanilla bean, split & scraped)
- 1 cup (250 ml) heavy cream, chilled
- 2 tbsp powdered sugar
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup sugar (for caramel drizzle)
- 2 tbsp water (for caramel drizzle)
- 2 tbsp heavy cream (for caramel drizzle)
- Pinch of sea salt (for caramel drizzle)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Place pastry sheets on parchment-lined trays. Prick all over with a fork to prevent over-puffing. Place another sheet of parchment and a baking tray on top as weight. Bake 15–20 minutes until golden and crisp. Cool completely. Trim edges for neat rectangles and cut into 3 equal-sized panels.
- Heat milk with vanilla (extract or bean) until steaming. In a bowl, whisk egg yolks, sugar, and cornstarch until pale. Slowly pour hot milk into yolk mixture, whisking constantly. Return to saucepan; cook on medium until thick and bubbling. Remove from heat, stir in butter, and cover with plastic wrap (touching surface). Chill.
- Whip heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla until soft peaks. Chill.
- Place one pastry layer on a serving plate. Pipe or spread custard evenly. Add whipped cream layer. Repeat with second pastry sheet, layering custard and cream. Top with final pastry layer. Dust generously with powdered sugar. Drizzle caramel sauce if desired.
Notes
- Ensure the puff pastry is fully cooled before assembling.
- For a richer flavor, use vanilla bean instead of extract.
- Caramel drizzle is optional but adds a nice touch.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 100mg