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A beautifully layered milhojas cake on a marble countertop in a luxury kitchen with modern tools.

Milhojas Cake Made Easy

Learn how to make the iconic milhojas cake with this easy, step-by-step recipe. Perfect for beginners, this dessert features flaky puff pastry and creamy filling, creating a delicious treat for any occasion.
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Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Cooling Time 1 hour
Total Time 2 hours 15 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine French, Spanish, Latin American
Servings 8
Calories 320 kcal

Ingredients
  

Puff Pastry:

  • 2 sheets of puff pastry store-bought or homemade

Pastry Cream Filling:

  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 4 large egg yolks
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Decoration:

  • 2 tablespoons powdered sugar for dusting
  • Optional: fresh berries or caramel drizzle for garnish

Instructions
 

Prepare the Puff Pastry:

  • Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
  • Roll out the puff pastry sheets to an even thickness.
  • Place the sheets on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
  • Prick the surface with a fork to prevent puffing.
  • Bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden and crispy. Set aside to cool.

Make the Pastry Cream:

  • Heat the milk in a saucepan over medium heat until it begins to steam.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk egg yolks, sugar, and cornstarch until smooth.
  • Slowly pour the hot milk into the egg mixture while whisking to temper the eggs.
  • Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens.
  • Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract and butter.
  • Cover with plastic wrap to prevent a skin from forming and let it cool completely.

Assemble the Milhojas Cake:

  • Place one sheet of puff pastry on a serving plate.
  • Spread a layer of pastry cream evenly over the pastry.
  • Repeat the process with additional layers of pastry and cream, ending with a top layer of puff pastry.

Decorate and Serve:

  • Dust the top layer with powdered sugar.
  • Garnish with fresh berries or caramel drizzle if desired.
  • Chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving to set the layers.

Notes

  • For a richer flavor, infuse the milk with vanilla bean or a cinnamon stick before making the pastry cream.
  • You can replace pastry cream with dulce de leche or whipped cream for variations.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.