• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Veggie Society

easy plant based vegan recipes featuring whole foods and a pure plant based lifestyle - the Veggie Society

  • Home
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Shop
  • Privacy Policy
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

Vegan Custard Puff Pastry Napoleon Recipe

January 18, 2019 By florentina 62 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. I may receive commissions for purchases made through those links at no additional cost to you.

Easy vegan custard puff pastry Napoleon made with rich coconut and cashew milk, vanilla extract and thickened up with tapioca. Dairy-free and naturally sweetened with maple syrup.
Easy Vegan Custard Puff Pastry Napoleon - Mille Feuille
 
I meant to post this dessert last Christmas but it clearly didn’t make it to the blog on time, so now you have it ready for Valentine’s and Easter with plenty of time to do a practice run ahead. Let’s do this!
 

” Mille Feuille ” also known as a “Napoleon” a classic Neopolitan pastry dessert of ancient origin filled with a rich and thick vanilla custard or “ crème pâtissière “ – pretty much a dessert sandwich!

Easy Vegan Custard Puff Pastry Napoleon - Mille Feuille
 

Why is Napoleon called Napoleon ?

 
The dessert’s original name was a “ napolitain or millefoglie “  meaning a “ thousand leaves “ referring to the many flaky layers surrounding the custard. So a sweet treat in the style of Naples not France, yup that’s the Napoli from Italy! 
 
It is thanks to the French pastry chef Careme who made the dessert popular that France is taking credit for the Napoleons. Wowza for culinary history!
 
Easy Vegan Custard Puff Pastry Napoleon - Mille Feuille
 

How To Make Vegan Dairy Free Custard Cream Filling :

 
  1. It is as simple as whisking together some plant milk with tapioca and simmering together until thick. Sweeten with maple syrup and infuse with some good vanilla extract for the best, most decadent plant-based custard.
  2. You can let it cool and enjoy it as a pudding topped with your favorite fruit or preserves, use it in a trifle, to fill a tart, a pie, a cake or to make some lovely Italian pastry desserts like yours truly.
 

note: If you don’t have tapioca on hand you can replace it with arrowroot or cornflour/cornstarch. 

Easy Vegan Custard Puff Pastry Napoleon - Mille Feuille
 

FAQ: Is Puff Pastry Vegan ?

 
Believe it or not puff pastry is one of those items that are accidentally vegan, however make sure to still check the ingredient list on the back of the box you are purchasing. 
 

Can You Make Custard with Almond Milk ?

 
Sure, you can replace all the plant-milk in the recipe with almond, just know the result won’t be as luscious as it is with the higher fat content from coconut and cashew milk. 
 
 

You’ll Love this Vegan Custard Pastry! It’s:

Italian
Super Easy to Make
Luscious 
Flaky
Crisp & Creamy
Egg & Dairy Free
Sweet & Salty
Cruelty Free!
Easy Vegan Custard Puff Pastry Napoleon - Mille Feuille

more favorite desserts:

No Bake Vegan Cookies
Best Baklava
Lemon Olive Oil Cake
Vegan Pumpkin Pie
Chocolate Sheet Cake
Apple Pie Filling.

P.S. If you make this recipe please come back here to rate it, snap a photo and tag me with #VeggieSociety on Instagram.

Custard Puff Pastry Napoleon
Print Pin

Vegan Custard Puff Pastry Napoleon

Easy vegan custard puff pastry Napoleon made with rich coconut and cashew milk, vanilla extract and thickened up with tapioca. Dairy-free and naturally sweetened with maple syrup.
Course Dessert
Cuisine Italian
Keyword plant based, Vegan Custard, vegan recipes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Defrosting Puff Pastry 35 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 8 people
Calories 316kcal
Author Florentina

Ingredients

  • 1 cup cashew milk
  • 1 cup coconut milk (full fat)
  • 1/2 cup maple syrup
  • 3 tsp vanilla extract (or the seeds from 1 vanilla bean)
  • 4 tbsp tapioca (or cornstarch)
  • 1/8 - 1/4 tsp turmeric (optional for color)
  • 1 sheet vegan puff pastry (9x9)
  • 2 tbsp powdered sugar for dusting (OPTIONAL)
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Defrost the puff pastry according to the instructions on the box, usually 30-40 minutes at room temperature. 
  • Preheat your oven to 400”F.
  • Roll out the pastry sheet on a parchment lined cookie sheet, pierce with a fork and cut it in half lengthwise.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes until golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow it to cool.

Make the Custard:

  • In a medium sauce pan over medium flame whisk together the cashew and coconut milk, maple syrup and tapioca or cornstarch. Bring to a simmer and continue whisking for a good 5 to 10 minutes on medium-low flame until the custard has thickened. Whisk in the vanilla extract or seeds and allow to cool off. (If you wish to give your custard a more yellowish tone make sure to whisk in the turmeric as well. Start with 1/8 tsp and up to 1/4 tsp so you don't overdo it. It won’t affect the flavor just the color).

Assemble the Napoleons:

  • Carefully separate the top and bottom part of the puff pastry, it should easily come apart. Place the bottom parts in a small baking dish lined with parchment paper.
  • Spread the vanilla custard on top and cover with the top layer of puff pastry.
  • Refrigerate for 3-4 hours until set. Use a serrated knife and cut into 10 rectangles or 8 squares to your liking. Dust with powder sugar and serve! 

Notes

  • If using turmeric make sure to start with a tiny pinch 1/8 teaspoon and work your way up to 1/4 teaspoon. The more turmeric the more golden your custard will be.
  • Some people don't like the texture of tapioca, if you are those people please use cornstarch instead. 

Nutrition

Calories: 316kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Sodium: 102mg | Potassium: 126mg | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 30mg | Iron: 1.8mg

Environmental Information

Vegan Desserts:

vegan salted caramel sauce

Vegan Salted Caramel

Italian Wedding Cookies

Italian Wedding Cookies

Chocolate Avocado Pudding

Chocolate Avocado Pudding

Filed Under: Desserts, Plant-Based, Thanksgiving, Vegan Recipes

Keep In Touch

Hi, I'm Florentina! I'm the voice behind the easy Plant-Based recipes here at the Veggie Society. Peluci is our COO and taste tester in chief! Continue reading…

Previous Post: « Tuscan White Bean Kale Soup Recipe
Next Post: Vegan Cheesy Cauliflower Cashew Soup »

Primary Sidebar

Hi, I'm Florentina! I'm the voice behind the easy Plant-Based recipes here at the Veggie Society. Peluci is the taste tester in chief! About Veggie Society…

RECIPE INDEX

Recent Recipes

vegan kung pao tofu

Vegan Kung Pao Tofu Recipe

Vegan Pate with Tomato + Herbs

Vegan Walnut Pate – Faux Gras

Italian Vegan Stuffed Peppers

Vegan Stuffed Peppers Recipe

Ultimate Vegan Chili

Vegan Chili Recipe

Copyright © 2021 · Veggie Society