Recipe Name: Almost Napoleons
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Category: Dessert
Keywords: < 30 Mins, Oven, Quick Dessert, Puff Pastry Alternative
Description
This recipe has been passed down through generations, so much so that it’s etched into memory and kept on crumbling yellow newspaper clippings. The beauty of this dessert is its simplicity—it offers the taste of a traditional Napoleon without the need to prepare any puff pastry. Instead, you’ll use crackers as a base for the layers, which are then filled with creamy vanilla pudding and topped with a delightful frosting. The result is a crispy, sweet, and indulgent dessert that’s as satisfying as it is nostalgic. It’s perfect for those times when you crave a delicate dessert but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen.
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Confectioners’ sugar | 1/4 cup (16 g) |
| Water | 1/2 cup (120 ml) |
| Vanilla pudding mix | 1 packet (instant) |
| Milk | 1 1/2 cups (360 ml) |
| Graham crackers | 16 crackers |
| Cocoa powder | 1/4 cup (20 g) |
Nutritional Information (per serving)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 282.2 kcal |
| Total Fat | 3.7 g |
| Saturated Fat | 2.1 g |
| Cholesterol | 12.8 mg |
| Sodium | 364 mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 59.5 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.5 g |
| Sugars | 48.2 g |
| Protein | 3.4 g |
Instructions
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Prepare the Crackers: Begin by filling a 13 x 9-inch pan with about half an inch of water. Lay 4 graham crackers in a single layer in the water. Allow the crackers to soak briefly, just enough for them to become wet but not so much that they fall apart. Be ready with extra crackers, as you may need them.
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Dry the Crackers: Once the crackers have soaked, carefully lift them and place them on a greased cookie sheet. Be sure to leave about an inch of space between each cracker, as they will expand as they bake.
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Bake the Crackers: Preheat your oven to 500°F (260°C). Place the cookie sheet with the crackers in the oven and bake for about 5 minutes. Keep an eye on them to ensure they do not burn. If the crackers are still soft after 5 minutes, reduce the temperature to 450°F (230°C) and bake for an additional 5 minutes. Watch closely so that they don’t become too dark or brittle.
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Cool the Crackers: When the crackers are golden, dry, and can be lifted easily as one piece, remove them from the oven. Let them cool on a cooling rack.
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Assemble the Napoleons: Once the crackers have cooled, arrange 4 crackers on a serving plate. Spread a generous layer of vanilla pudding over each cracker. Top with another cracker, then more pudding, and repeat the layering process, ending with a final cracker on top.
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Make the Frosting: For the frosting, mix 1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar with water until the mixture reaches a thick, glaze-like consistency. Carefully spread the frosting over the top cracker layer and allow it to harden.
-
Decorate with Chocolate Drizzle: In a small bowl, combine 1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar, cocoa powder, and a bit of water to create a thick chocolate glaze. Drizzle this chocolate frosting in a zig-zag pattern over the hardened vanilla glaze.
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Chill and Serve: Once the frosting has set, place the dessert in the refrigerator to chill for at least 30 minutes before serving. This will allow the flavors to meld together, and the dessert will be easier to slice and serve.
Tips for Success
- If you’re looking to save time, you can prepare the pudding ahead of time and let it chill before assembling the dessert.
- Be careful when soaking the crackers; they should be wet but still firm enough to hold their structure as they bake.
- The chocolate drizzle is optional but adds a delightful touch of richness to the dessert.
This Almost Napoleons recipe is an easy and quick dessert that delivers a familiar, luxurious taste without the complex steps of traditional pastry making. Its layers of creamy pudding and crispy crackers combined with the sweet frosting make it a simple yet indulgent treat, perfect for satisfying a sweet tooth with minimal effort.
