Napoleon Dessert Recipe ๐ฐ
Description:
Indulge in the exquisite delight of Napoleons, a decadent Canadian dessert that promises to elevate your culinary prowess! These delightful pastries are a labor of love, requiring patience and dedication, but the end result is well worth the effort. With layers of flaky puff pastry, luscious custard filling, and a heavenly strawberry sauce, Napoleons are sure to impress even the most discerning palates. Get ready to embark on a culinary adventure and treat yourself to a taste of luxury!
- Preparation Time: As long as it takes!
- Cooking Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Servings: Yield varies, approximately 6 servings depending on cut size
Ingredients:
For the Puff Pastry:
- 1 sheet frozen puff pastry
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/3 cup flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 eggs
- 4 drops vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon sherry wine
- 1 cup strawberries
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- Pinch of salt
For the Custard Filling:
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1 cup heavy cream, scalded
- 2 eggs
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Optional: 1/2 cup sliced almonds, 1 tablespoon sherry or rum
For the Fluffy Strawberry Sauce:
- 1 cup strawberries, hulled and mashed
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 egg white
- Pinch of salt
Instructions:
-
Prepare the Puff Pastry:
- Roll out the puff pastry sheet to 1/4 inch thickness.
- Cut it into 2 x 4 inch strips and prick them with a fork.
- Place the strips on two layers of heavy brown paper on a baking sheet or in a pan.
- Chill the pastry strips thoroughly.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 500ยฐF for 5 minutes, then reduce the heat by 50ยฐF every 5 minutes until the temperature reaches 350ยฐF. Bake for an additional 10 minutes or until golden brown. Allow the pastry to cool, then split them lengthwise into halves.
-
Prepare the Custard Filling:
- In a saucepan, combine sugar, flour, and salt.
- Gradually add the scalded cream, stirring until smooth and thick.
- In a separate bowl, slightly beat the eggs and egg yolks.
- Pour the cream mixture over the egg mixture, then cook and stir the custard over hot water until thickened.
- Let the custard cool, then stir in the vanilla extract and, if desired, the sliced almonds and sherry or rum.
-
Prepare the Fluffy Strawberry Sauce:
- In a bowl, combine mashed strawberries with powdered sugar and lemon juice.
- In another bowl, whip the egg white and salt until stiff peaks form.
- Gently fold the whipped egg white into the strawberry mixture until light and fluffy.
-
Assemble the Napoleons:
- Place one layer of puff pastry on a serving plate.
- Spoon a layer of custard filling over the pastry.
- Repeat with another layer of pastry and filling, then top with a final layer of pastry.
- Drizzle the fluffy strawberry sauce over the top of the Napoleons.
- For an extra touch of indulgence, garnish with whipped cream if desired.
Serving Suggestions:
Napoleons are best enjoyed fresh, allowing the layers of pastry, creamy custard, and vibrant strawberry sauce to meld together harmoniously. Serve these decadent treats as a delightful finale to any meal or as a sweet indulgence for afternoon tea. Share them with loved ones and bask in the admiration of your culinary skills!
Nutritional Information (Per Serving):
- Calories: 426.8
- Fat: 28.4g
- Saturated Fat: 16.7g
- Cholesterol: 249.6mg
- Sodium: 198.9mg
- Carbohydrates: 38.6g
- Fiber: 1.1g
- Sugar: 29.1g
- Protein: 6g
Keywords:
Canadian, < 60 Mins, < 15 Mins, Oven, Dessert
Tips:
- For a quicker version, you can use store-bought custard or whipped cream instead of making it from scratch.
- Experiment with different fruits for the sauce, such as raspberries or blueberries, for a unique flavor twist.
- Ensure the pastry is thoroughly chilled before baking to achieve a crisp and flaky texture.
- To make ahead, you can prepare the components of the Napoleons separately and assemble them just before serving to maintain freshness.