Short Description
The Orange Blossom Strawberry Mille-Feuille is a refined French dessert that combines layers of crisp, golden puff pastry with a light orange blossom-infused cream and fresh strawberries. This elegant treat balances the floral notes of orange blossom with the sweetness of ripe strawberries, creating a delightful harmony of flavours and textures.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Elegant Presentation: The layered structure and vibrant colours make it a visually stunning dessert, perfect for special occasions.
- Delicate Flavours: The subtle floral essence of orange blossom complements the natural sweetness of strawberries.
- Textural Contrast: The crisp puff pastry contrasts beautifully with the smooth cream and juicy fruit.
- Seasonal Delight: Utilising fresh strawberries makes it an ideal dessert during berry season.
- Make-Ahead Components: Elements like the pastry and cream can be prepared in advance, simplifying assembly.
Ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Puff pastry sheets
- Fresh strawberries
- Orange blossom water
- Mascarpone cheese
- Heavy cream
- Powdered sugar
- Vanilla extract
- Egg (for egg wash)
- Granulated sugar
Directions
- Prepare the Puff Pastry: Roll out the puff pastry sheets and cut them into equal-sized rectangles. Place them on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Prick the pastry with a fork to prevent excessive puffing. Brush with egg wash and sprinkle with granulated sugar. Bake at 200°C (400°F) for 15-20 minutes until golden brown. Allow to cool completely.
- Make the Orange Blossom Cream: In a mixing bowl, combine mascarpone cheese, heavy cream, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and a few drops of orange blossom water. Whip until the mixture holds soft peaks. Refrigerate until ready to use.
- Prepare the Strawberries: Wash, hull, and slice the strawberries thinly.
- Assemble the Mille-Feuille: Place one piece of baked puff pastry on a serving plate. Spread a layer of the orange blossom cream over it, then arrange a layer of sliced strawberries on top. Repeat the layers, finishing with a final piece of puff pastry on top.
- Garnish: Dust the top layer with powdered sugar and, if desired, decorate with additional strawberries or a drizzle of orange blossom syrup.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 6
- Preparation Time: 30 minutes
- Cooking Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
Variations
- Berry Medley: Substitute or add other berries such as raspberries or blueberries for a mixed berry version.
- Citrus Twist: Incorporate lemon or lime zest into the cream for a zesty flavour.
- Chocolate Drizzle: Add a drizzle of melted dark chocolate between layers or on top for a richer taste.
- Nutty Addition: Sprinkle chopped pistachios or almonds between layers for added crunch.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store assembled mille-feuille in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Note that the pastry may lose its crispness over time.
- Reheating: Not recommended, as reheating can cause the cream to melt and the pastry to become soggy.
FAQs
What is orange blossom water, and where can I find it?
Orange blossom water is a fragrant distillation of fresh bitter-orange blossoms. It is commonly used in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisines and can be found in specialty food stores or online.
Can I make the puff pastry from scratch?
Yes, homemade puff pastry can be used for this recipe. However, it is time-consuming, and store-bought puff pastry is a convenient and effective alternative.
How far in advance can I prepare the components?
The puff pastry can be baked and stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days. The orange blossom cream can be prepared a day in advance and refrigerated. Assemble the dessert shortly before serving for best results.
Can I use other fruits besides strawberries?
Absolutely. Raspberries, blueberries, or thinly sliced peaches can be used as alternatives or in combination with strawberries.
Is there a non-dairy alternative for the cream?
Yes, you can use non-dairy whipped toppings or coconut cream as a substitute for the mascarpone and heavy cream mixture.
How do I prevent the puff pastry from becoming soggy?
Assemble the mille-feuille just before serving to maintain the pastry’s crispness. Also, ensure that the strawberries are dry and the cream is not overly moist.
Can I add a glaze on top?
Yes, a simple icing sugar glaze or a drizzle of melted chocolate can be added on top for extra sweetness and decoration.
What can I use if I don’t have orange blossom water?
If orange blossom water is unavailable, you can use a small amount of orange zest or a drop of orange extract to impart a citrus flavour.
Is this dessert suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, this mille-feuille recipe is suitable for vegetarians, as it contains no meat or gelatin products.
Can I freeze the assembled mille-feuille?
Freezing is not recommended, as the texture of the cream and strawberries may be adversely affected upon thawing.
Conclusion
The Orange Blossom Strawberry Mille-Feuille is a sophisticated dessert that brings together the delicate flavours of floral-infused cream and fresh strawberries, layered between crisp puff pastry. Its elegant appearance and delightful taste make it a perfect choice for special occasions or a luxurious treat to enjoy at home.
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Orange Blossom Strawberry Mille-Feuille
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A delicate and elegant dessert featuring layers of crisp puff pastry, luscious orange blossom pastry cream, and fresh strawberries, perfect for spring or summer occasions.
Ingredients
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar (for dusting)
- 2 cups whole milk
- 4 egg yolks
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon orange blossom water
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Roll out the puff pastry on a lightly floured surface and cut into three equal rectangles. Place on the baking sheet and prick all over with a fork. Brush with beaten egg.
- Place another sheet of parchment over the pastry and top with another baking sheet to prevent puffing. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool completely.
- To make the pastry cream, heat the milk in a saucepan until steaming but not boiling.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the egg yolks, sugar, and cornstarch until pale and thick.
- Gradually pour the hot milk into the egg mixture, whisking constantly. Return the mixture to the saucepan.
- Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and bubbles.
- Remove from heat and stir in the butter, vanilla extract, and orange blossom water. Let cool completely, then chill in the refrigerator.
- Assemble the mille-feuille by layering one puff pastry sheet, followed by pastry cream and sliced strawberries. Repeat with the second layer, and top with the final pastry sheet.
- Dust with powdered sugar before serving. Optionally, garnish with extra strawberries or edible flowers.
Notes
- For a neater finish, trim the edges of the puff pastry layers after baking.
- Chill the assembled mille-feuille for 30 minutes before serving to allow layers to set.
- Use organic orange blossom water for the best flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
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