Description
Strawberry Napoleons are a delightful French-inspired dessert featuring layers of crisp puff pastry, light whipped cream, and fresh sliced strawberries. This easy-to-make recipe combines the flaky texture of baked puff pastry with a sweet and creamy filling, perfect for summer gatherings or special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
Puff Pastry
- 1 sheet frozen puff pastry (thawed)
Whipped Cream Filling
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 3 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Fruit and Toppings
- 1 ½ cups fresh strawberries (sliced)
- 2 tablespoons strawberry jam (optional, for layering)
- powdered sugar (for dusting)
Instructions
- Prepare and bake puff pastry: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Cut the thawed puff pastry into 9 equal rectangles, then place them on the baking sheet. Prick each piece several times with a fork to prevent excessive puffing. Bake for 12–15 minutes or until the pastries are golden brown and crisp. Remove and let cool completely.
- Whip the cream: In a chilled bowl, combine heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Whip the mixture until stiff peaks form, ensuring a light and fluffy texture for the filling.
- Assemble the napoleons: Carefully split each cooled puff pastry rectangle horizontally into two thin layers, resulting in 18 layers total. Spread a spoonful of whipped cream onto the bottom half of each piece, arrange sliced strawberries on top, and add a small dollop of strawberry jam if desired for extra flavor.
- Finish and serve: Place the top half of the pastry on the assembled bottom layers with cream and strawberries. Dust the completed Napoleon with powdered sugar for an elegant finish. Serve immediately for the best, crispiest texture.
Notes
- Assemble just before serving to maintain the crispness of the puff pastry layers.
- You can substitute whipped cream with pastry cream or mascarpone for a richer filling.
