Irresistibly Creamy Easy Napoleon Cake for Home Bakers Recipe
This irresistibly creamy and easy Napoleon Cake recipe is perfect for home bakers looking to create a classic French dessert featuring layers of flaky puff pastry and smooth vanilla custard. The cake is elegantly finished with powdered sugar and optional fresh berries, making it a visually stunning and delicious treat for any occasion.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 45 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Puff Pastry
- 2 sheets Puff Pastry Sheets (Select all-butter for a richer taste)
Custard Filling
- 2 cups Whole Milk (Enhances creaminess)
- 1 cup Granulated Sugar (Adjust to taste)
- 4 large Egg Yolks (Use fresh eggs)
- 1/4 cup Cornstarch (Stabilizes the custard)
- 1/2 cup Unsalted Butter (Can be substituted with margarine)
- 2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract (Opt for pure extract)
Finishing
- 1 cup Powdered Sugar (For dusting)
- 1 cup Fresh Berries (Optional garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the puff pastry layers.
- Prepare Puff Pastry: Roll out the puff pastry sheets and cut them into rectangles approximately 4×3 inches. Prick each piece with a fork to prevent excessive rising during baking.
- Bake Pastry Layers: Place the cut puff pastries on a parchment-lined baking sheet, cover them with another parchment sheet and a second tray to keep them flat. Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown. Then, cool the baked layers on a wire rack.
- Warm Milk: In a saucepan over medium heat, warm the whole milk until it is steaming but not boiling, preparing it for the custard mixture.
- Mix Custard Base: In a bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, granulated sugar, and cornstarch until smooth. Gradually pour the warm milk into this mixture while continuously whisking to combine.
- Cook Custard: Pour the mixture back into the saucepan and cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly for about 5-7 minutes, or until the custard thickens sufficiently.
- Add Butter and Flavor: Remove the custard from heat and stir in the unsalted butter and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Assemble the Cake: On a serving dish, layer a piece of baked puff pastry, spread an even layer of custard over it, and repeat the layers, finishing with a puff pastry layer on top.
- Chill: Cover the assembled cake with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight to set and meld the flavors.
- Finish and Serve: Before serving, dust the top with powdered sugar and optionally garnish with fresh berries for an elegant touch.
Notes
- Using all-butter puff pastry enhances the flavor and texture of the pastry layers.
- Pricking the puff pastry prevents puffing up too much and creates a more uniform layer.
- Ensure the milk is warm but not boiling before mixing with the egg yolks to prevent curdling.
- Refrigerating the assembled cake allows the custard to set and the flavors to blend beautifully.
- Fresh berries add a pop of color and a fresh flavor contrast but can be omitted if unavailable or undesired.
Keywords: Napoleon cake, puff pastry, custard, French dessert, creamy cake, layered dessert, easy Napoleon recipe
