Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Elegant Presentation: The delicate layers of caramelized apples create a visually stunning dessert that impresses guests.
- Rich Flavor Combination: The sweetness of the apples and caramel pairs beautifully with the smooth vanilla custard.
- Gluten-Free Delight: Naturally free from gluten, it’s suitable for those with dietary restrictions.
- Customizable: Easily adaptable to vegan diets by substituting dairy ingredients with plant-based alternatives.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- For the Caramel:
- Granulated sugar
- For the Apple Mille-Feuille:
- Apples (Fuji, Royal Gala, or Pink Lady)
- Granulated sugar
- Salt
- Cornstarch
- For the Vanilla Custard:
- Egg yolks
- Cornstarch
- Milk (whole, skimmed, lactose-free, or vegetable-based)
- Granulated sugar
- Salt
- Vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
Directions
- Prepare the Caramel:
- Preheat your oven to 100°C (210°F) and place a 22x11cm (8.6×4.3in) mold inside to warm.
- In a saucepan over medium heat, gradually melt the granulated sugar until it forms a golden caramel.
- Carefully pour the caramel into the warmed mold, tilting to coat the base and sides evenly.
- Prepare the Apples:
- Peel and slice the apples into 1mm (0.03in) thick slices using a mandolin for uniformity.
- In a bowl, toss the apple slices with granulated sugar, salt, and cornstarch until evenly coated.
- Assemble the Mille-Feuille:
- Layer the coated apple slices in the caramel-lined mold, pressing down gently to compact the layers.
- Cover the mold with aluminum foil and bake at 160°C (320°F) for approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes, or until the apples are tender.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool before inverting onto a serving plate.
- Prepare the Vanilla Custard:
- In a bowl, whisk together egg yolks and cornstarch until smooth.
- In a saucepan, heat the milk, granulated sugar, salt, and vanilla over medium heat until just boiling.
- Slowly pour the hot milk mixture into the egg yolk mixture, whisking constantly.
- Return the combined mixture to the saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring continuously until it thickens to a custard consistency.
- Remove from heat and strain if necessary to achieve a smooth texture.
- Serve:
- Slice the apple mille-feuille and serve with a generous drizzle of warm vanilla custard.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: This recipe yields approximately 6 servings.
- Preparation Time: 40 minutes
- Cooking Time: 1 hour and 20 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours
Variations
- Vegan Option: Substitute dairy milk with almond or soy milk and replace egg yolks with an additional amount of cornstarch to achieve the desired custard consistency.
- Spiced Apples: Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the apple mixture for a warm, spiced flavor.
- Alternative Fruits: Experiment with pears or peaches as a substitute for apples to create different fruit mille-feuille variations.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store any leftover apple mille-feuille and custard separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Gently reheat slices of the mille-feuille in a preheated oven at 150°C (300°F) for about 10 minutes. Warm the custard in a saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly until heated through.
FAQs
What is a mille-feuille?
A mille-feuille, also known as a Napoleon, is a classic French pastry traditionally made of layered puff pastry and cream. In this recipe, thinly sliced apples replace the puff pastry to create a gluten-free version.
Can I make this dessert ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the apple mille-feuille a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Prepare the vanilla custard fresh before serving for the best texture.
What type of apples work best for this recipe?
Firm apples like Fuji, Royal Gala, or Pink Lady are ideal due to their ability to hold shape during baking and their balanced sweetness.
How do I prevent the custard from curdling?
Cook the custard over low heat and stir continuously. Remove it from heat as soon as it thickens to prevent overcooking, which can cause curdling.
Apple Mille-Feuille
- Total Time: 2 hours
- Yield: 6 servings
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This gluten-free Apple Mille-Feuille with Vanilla Custard is a stunning layered dessert featuring caramelized apple slices baked to perfection, paired with creamy vanilla custard. Elegant, rich in flavor, and naturally gluten-free, it’s ideal for special occasions or indulgent weekend treats.
Ingredients
For the Caramel:
- Granulated sugar
For the Apple Mille-Feuille:
- Apples (Fuji, Royal Gala, or Pink Lady)
- Granulated sugar
- Salt
- Cornstarch
For the Vanilla Custard:
- Egg yolks
- Cornstarch
- Milk (whole, skimmed, lactose-free, or plant-based)
- Granulated sugar
- Salt
- Vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the Caramel:
- Preheat oven to 100°C (210°F) and warm the mold inside.
- Melt sugar over medium heat until golden; pour into the mold to coat base and sides.
- Prepare the Apples:
- Peel and thinly slice apples (1mm) with a mandolin.
- Mix sugar, salt, and cornstarch in a bowl.
- Assemble the Mille-Feuille:
- Layer apples in the mold, sprinkling sugar mixture between layers.
- Compact every few layers. Fill the mold completely.
- Bake:
- Place mold on a baking sheet. Bake at 180°C (350°F) for 1 hour.
- Cool slightly before unmolding.
- Prepare the Vanilla Custard:
- Whisk yolks and cornstarch until smooth.
- Heat milk, vanilla, sugar, and salt in a saucepan until steaming.
- Temper eggs with hot milk, then cook over medium-low heat until thickened.
- Serve:
- Slice mille-feuille and serve with custard.
Notes
- Use a 22x11cm (8.6×4.3in) mold for this recipe.
- Optional: Add cinnamon or nutmeg to sugar mixture for a spiced version.
- Substitute apples with pears or peaches for variations.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French-inspired
