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A “Thousand Layer” Christmas Cake

Our "Dolce Queen" Ale Gambini shares a sweet & tart Christmas cake of candied cherries and 1,000 layers.

Amarena Millefoglie Cake by Ale Gambini.

Amarena Millefoglie Cake by Ale Gambini.

Amarena cherries, cultivated in the Emilia Romagna region in Italy, are known for their sweet and tart balanced flavor. Typically, these cherries are pitted and candied in their cherry syrup, presented in intricately adorned ceramic jars. These exquisite cherries showcase versatility, elevating beverages, desserts, or enjoyed on their own.

Millefoglie, the Italian rendition of the French mille-feuille, literally means "thousand layers." The Millefoglie cake features delicate, flaky puff pastry layered with a luscious custard cream. In this instance, I incorporated a touch of tartness to achieve a delightful balance among the ingredients in my dessert.

Enjoy the Amarena Millefoglie and Merry Christmas!

Amarena Millefoglie Cake

Amarena Millefoglie Cake

Recipe by Ale Gambini
0.0 from 0 votes
Servings

8

servings
Prep time

10

minutes
Cooking time

40

minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 1 thawed puff pastry sheet

  • 1.5 cups 1.5 whole milk

  • 6 tablespoons 6 sugar

  • 4 tablespoons 4 unbleached all-purpose flour

  • 6 tablespoons 6 amarena cherries syrup

  • 10 10 chopped amarena cherries in syrup

  • Powdered sugar for dusting

  • Chocolate sauce for drizzling

Directions

  • Heat the milk in a saucepan until it boils, then remove from heat.
  • In a bowl, combine sugar and flour. Mix, then pour over 4 tablespoons of warm milk and whisk until well combined.
  • Pour the sugar mixture into the saucepan with the remaining warm milk, whisking until well blended. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens. Transfer to a bowl and let it cool completely. Once cooled, blend in the amarena cherries syrup and chill in the fridge.
  • Divide the puff pastry sheet into 3 pieces, prick with a fork, and bake at 400ºF until golden brown. Let it cool.
  • Layer the puff pastry with the amarena cherries cream and chopped amarena cherries between each sheet.
  • Dust with powdered sugar and drizzle with Chocolate sauce.

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