Prue Leith’s Millefeuille

Prue Leith
Prue Leith

Junior Bake Off

The ultimate test of patisserie skills. Delicate flaky pastry layered with a silky crème diplomat and raspberry jam, topped off with a classic feathered fondant top.

Serves: 4
Difficulty: Challenging
Hands-On Time: 2 hrs, plus resting time
Baking Time: 25–30 mins
  • Ingredients
  • Method
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Method

Step 1
To make the rough puff pastry, place the butter, salt and plain flour in a bowl and then gradually mix through the water, you may not need all of it. You want to have a soft, not sticky dough. Knead extremely lightly to bring together and then wrap in cling film and freeze for 5 minutes.

Step 2
Meanwhile, line two baking trays with greaseproof.

Step 3
Once the dough has chilled, flour the surface and roll out the dough with sharp taps up and down the dough, rather than rolling, flouring the surface more if necessary. Continue to tap the dough up and down until it measures 30cm by 10cm.

Step 4
Brush off any excess flour and fold the bottom third up and the top third down and turn so the dough looks like a closed book. Roll out again to the same size and repeat the fold before freezing again for 10 minutes.

Step 5
Meanwhile, start making the crème diplomat by making a crème patisserie. Whisk together the egg yolks, sugar and flours until well combined and then heat the milk until just before simmering. Add 5 tbsp of milk to the egg mixture and whisk together to combine. Gradually add in the remaining milk and whisk until smooth. Place back in the pan and then bring the mixture to a boil, whisking constantly until thickened. Once thickened, remove from the heat and then transfer into a bowl and allow to cool completely.

Step 6
Continue with the pastry and do two more rolls and folds, rolling and folding once more if the butter is still a little streaked. Rewrap in the clingfilm and allow to freeze for 10 more minutes. Preheat oven to 220°C/200°C fan/425°F/Gas 7.

Step 7
Once the pastry has chilled, divide in half and roll each piece out carefully to 26 x 26 cm and place on the lined baking trays. Top with another piece of greaseproof and top with two other baking trays.

Step 8
Bake for 25 - 30 minutes or until golden and fully cooked through. Once cooked, remove the top baking tray and allow to cool on the tray.

Step 9
For the jam, add the raspberries, sugar and lemon juice to a large saucepan. Breakdown slightly with a potato masher, then heat over low until the sugar has melted.

Step 10
Bring to the boil, then boil for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and transfer to a bowl to set.

Step 11
Meanwhile, whisk the crème pat in a stand mixer until smooth. In a separate bowl, whisk the double cream to soft peaks, then use a little of this whipped cream to slacken the crème pat. Fold through the remaining whipped cream. Transfer into a piping bag with a large round nozzle and then chill until required.

Step 12
Once the pastry is cool, trim each square to 24 x 24cm. Divide each square into 8 rectangles that measure 12 x 6 cm. You should have 16 rectangles.

Step 13
Sieve a quarter of your jam into a bowl, removing the seeds. Transfer the sieved jam to a piping bag and leave to one side until needed.

Step 14
Combine the egg white powder and water to create a smooth paste. Break the block of fondant into small pieces and add to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle.

Step 15
Beat the fondant to break it down, then gradually add the egg white liquid. Continue to beat until you have a smooth, spreadable consistency.

Step 16
Coat the top of 4 pastry rectangles with the fondant and smooth. Using the sieved jam, create a feathered pattern on each of the fondant topped rectangles.

Step 17
Spread the remaining pastry rectangles with a small amount of jam, then pipe 3 long rows of crème diplomat blobs to cover.

Step 18
To build the millefeuille, stack three crème diplomat topped rectangles on top of each other, then top with a feathered fondant rectangle.

Step 19
Repeat with the remaining pastry rectangles until you have 4 millefeuille.