Mille-Feuille vs Napoleon: Are They the Same Pastry?

Mille-feuille and napoleon are usually the same layered puff pastry with cream. The difference is mostly the name, the region and sometimes the filling.

In most places, mille-feuille and napoleon are the same dessert: layers of crisp puff pastry with pastry cream between them. Mille-feuille is the French name; napoleon is the name used in the United States and parts of Europe. In Russia and the former Soviet countries, a cake called Napoleon is a tall, softer version with many thin layers and custard.

Where the name napoleon comes from

The origin of the name is disputed. One common explanation is that napoleon is a corruption of napolitain, meaning in the style of Naples, rather than a reference to the emperor. Stories linking the pastry directly to Napoleon Bonaparte are popular but not well documented.

The real differences

The French mille-feuille is usually three pastry layers with vanilla crème pâtissière and a fondant top. An American napoleon is often the same thing. The Russian Napoleon cake is a different texture: the layers soak up the cream overnight and become soft and cake-like. Some bakeries also use whipped cream, jam or fruit.

In Egypt

In Alexandria's patisseries you will mostly hear mille-feuille, pronounced the French way, a reminder of the French and Greek confectioners who shaped the trade here. Flavours have grown beyond vanilla: pistachio, chocolate and seasonal fruit.

Same layers, different passports.

Try it at Délices

Our best known is the pistachio mille-feuille. Call us to ask what's on the counter today or to order for a gathering: +20 3 486 1432. We're at 46 Saad Zaghloul Street, Raml Station, open daily 8 AM – 1 AM.