Vegan Napoleon Dessert Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is Napoleon cake Russian or French? ›

Napoleon pastry, also known as mille-feuille, is a classic French dessert that has been enjoyed for hundreds of years. Although its origins are somewhat disputed, its name is derived from Napoleon Bonaparte, who was said to have enjoyed the pastry during his reign as Emperor of France.

Mille-feuille is very similar to the Italian dessert, Napoleon. The main difference between the two desserts is that a Napoleon is layered with almond paste instead of cream. A traditional mille-feuille will consist of three layers of puff pastry alternated with two layers of pastry cream.

A mille-feuille (French: [mil fœj]; lit. 'thousand-sheets'), also known by the names Napoleon in North America, vanilla slice in the United Kingdom, and custard slice, is a French dessert made of puff pastry layered with pastry cream. Its modern form was influenced by improvements made by Marie-Antoine Carême.

A vanilla slice is usually a very thick slab of custard sandwiched between two thin puff sheets. A mille feuille is more decorative, could have multiple custard (or diplomat cream) layers and looks very sophisticated. It is one of the simplest things you can make with a puff sheet, yet looks so elegant!

Originally named "mille-feuille", the Napoleon cake was supposedly brought to Russia by the French in the early 19th century. This cake commemorated the anniversary of the Russian victory against Napoléon Bonaparte in 1812.

Medovik is a traditional 8 layer honey cake from Russia, and truly one of a kind.

The French “mille feuille” (pronounced meel foy) translates to a thousand sheets or leaves, a description of this dessert's many whisper-thin pastry layers. It's also sometimes called a “Napoleon” or a “custard slice” depending on the filling and/or region. (There are so many versions!)

Once properly chilled, use a long, very sharp knife to cut 1/4 inch off the edges of the pastry all around to make a neat and evenly proportioned rectangle. Carefully transfer the trimmed mille-feuille to a serving dish and refrigerate again if not serving immediately, or cut into individual portions to serve.

The word dessert is derived from the French word desservir, which translates to “to clear the table.” This origin is apt, considering that the first use of desserts was to wash down the aftertaste of a large meal with something sweet.

For a flatter pastry without much puff—like a Napoleon—prick the dough all over with a fork, place parchment paper on top, then place 1-2 cookie sheets on top of that to weigh it down. If you're making a tart or filled Puff Pastry, place it on the baking sheet before adding toppings or fillings.

Why is mille-feuille called Napoleon? ›

3) The pastry was first created by an Italian chef in Naples who named it "napoletano" after his city, and the name was later corrupted to "napoleon" in English.

North End Bakehouse in Shepparton made history when they were awarded the two top prizes at Baking Association of Australia's (BAA) Baking Show on February 24. “They are now the official bakery that's has The Australia's Best Hot Cross Bun and The Australia's Best Vanilla Slice for 2024,” BAA stated.

Millefoglie—similar to its French name, mille-feuille—is Italian for "a thousand layers." It's the go-to dessert for any Tuscan celebration, whether it's a birthday, a baptism or even a wedding cake.

Napoleon's family was of Italian origin. His paternal ancestors, the Buonapartes, descended from a minor Tuscan noble family who emigrated to Corsica in the 16th century and his maternal ancestors, the Ramolinos, descended from a noble family from Lombardy.

Assuming the encounter would result in an immediate French victory, Napoleon marched his armies into Russian territories only to be met with fierce, unexpected retreats and repeated counterattacks by the Russian Imperial Army that led to a decisive Russian victory.

Theories abound as to the origins of Russian cake. The popular legend goes that it was created by a New Orleans baker who ran out of ingredients to bake a proper cake for the Russian Grand Duke Alexis when the latter visited New Orleans for Mardi Gras in 1872.

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