Description
This Apple Mille-Feuille with Vanilla Custard is a delightful gluten-free dessert featuring layers of crispy puff pastry, caramelized spiced apples, and smooth homemade vanilla custard. Finished with a dusting of powdered sugar and a drizzle of caramel sauce, it’s a perfect elegant treat that’s both visually stunning and delicious.
Ingredients
Scale
Pastry
- 1 sheet gluten-free puff pastry, thawed (store-bought or homemade)
Apple Filling
- 3 medium apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced (Honeycrisp or Granny Smith work well)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Vanilla Custard
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 3 large egg yolks
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For Garnish
- Powdered sugar for dusting
- Caramel sauce for drizzling
Instructions
- Prepare the Gluten-Free Pastry Layers: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Roll out the gluten-free puff pastry on a lightly floured surface and cut it into even rectangles approximately 2 x 4 inches. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes until golden and crispy. Let the pastry layers cool completely before assembly.
- Prepare the Apple Filling: In a skillet over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter. Add the thinly sliced apples along with granulated sugar, cinnamon, and ground nutmeg. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes or until the apples are soft and caramelized. Remove the skillet from heat and allow the apple mixture to cool.
- Make the Vanilla Custard: Pour the whole milk into a saucepan and heat over medium heat until it starts to simmer. In a separate bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, egg yolks, and cornstarch until smooth. Gradually add the hot milk to the egg mixture while whisking continuously to temper the eggs. Return the combined mixture to the saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until the custard thickens, approximately 5 minutes. Stir in the vanilla extract and let the custard cool.
- Assemble the Mille-Feuille: On a serving plate, place one cooled pastry rectangle. Spread a spoonful of the vanilla custard over it, then top with a portion of the caramelized apples. Repeat with another pastry layer, custard, and apples, and finish with the final pastry layer on top.
- Garnish and Serve: Lightly dust the assembled mille-feuille with powdered sugar and drizzle with caramel sauce as desired. Serve immediately to enjoy the contrasting textures and flavors at their best.
Notes
- Make sure the puff pastry is fully cooled before assembly to prevent custard from melting.
- If you prefer, prepare the pastry layers a day ahead and store them in an airtight container to maintain crispness.
- You can substitute apples with pears for a different fruity variation.
- Use gluten-free cornstarch or arrowroot powder if you need to keep everything strictly gluten-free.
- For a lighter version, substitute whole milk with 2% milk, but it may affect custard richness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
