{Mini} Strawberry Napoleons

{Mini} Strawberry Napoleon

Searching for a 'lite' dessert this Summer that will still provide a sense decadence but, not leave you wobbling away from the table?  This is IT!  This entire dessert can be fashioned to your liking! Tone it down using sugar-free, fat-free pudding, you can omit the whip cream or not (I prefer to add it in because I love the mousse texture/taste) you can use carob chips to melt and drizzle over top instead of melted chocolate or leave off entirely and sprinkle heart-healthy nuts over top...fresh berries are best in this but, I also like using up my homemade preserves... and you can mix the berries up too!  my favorite combination is raspberry, blueberry, blackberry!  Today I assembled some strawberry minis using fresh berries. This dessert is easy to make and a showstopper every time! I've been making these for some time now and each and every flavor combination has been a hit with my guests - the most unusual being lime pudding with pineapple and kiwi fruit dusted with coconut. Oh man! that one I need to make again!  ~Enjoy! Diane 

{Mini} Strawberry Napoleons 

Napoleon Filling/Assembly: 
1 Puff Pastry Sheet 
3 oz  Vanilla Pudding, instant 
1 Cup Milk
2 Cups fresh fruit, cut up  
1 Cup Chocolate Chips, melted

Whipped Cream:  
1 Cup Heavy Whipping Cream *cold
2 Tbs Powdered Sugar
1/2 tsp Vanilla Bean Paste (or extract) 

Directions: 
Preheat oven to 400
Chill Mixing Bowl and Beater/Whisk in fridge for at least 15 mins. 

   First, you are going to take one sheet of puff pastry and lay out on a parchment lined baking sheet, cut the pastry into 3 equal strips, then cut each strip into 4 smaller pieces.  Bake according to directions until golden brown (usually 400 degrees for 15 minutes) Let the pastry squares cool about 10 minutes and then carefully slice each into two (separating the tops and bottoms from each other)  You will have 24 squares now to work with, each layer takes 3 pieces: making 8 napoleons total.  I do make sure to set aside 8 "tops" to top as the final top layers. 
 
   Next, you want to make your pudding and store in refrigerator.  I use vanilla instant pudding (3oz) and mix with only 1 cup of milk.  Vanilla works best with all berries that you would want to use but, even here you can use a pudding that you might like that may be different (think of lime pudding with kiwi fruit napoleons! or even chocolate pudding with bananas!)  

   Since you are making more of a mousse then a pudding, you need to make some fresh whipped cream to fold into pudding - don't worry, it's super easy to do (and you can always skip this step and use store bought as well.)  Take chilled mixing bowl/whisk from fridge and pour in heavy whipping cream and start mixer, let whisk/beat for 2-3 minutes before adding in powdered sugar and vanilla, continue to mix on med-high speed (not too high - you don't want splattering) Most whipped cream takes time to turn from a liquid state into a semi-solid of soft peaks, usually 6-10 minutes. Keep a watchful eye as over-whipping can turn your whipped cream into a grainy looking mixture (if that happens add a bit more whipping cream to bowl and lightly whip in until graininess is gone (1-2 Tbs should do it.) 

  Fold your whipped cream into your pudding very gently and keep refrigerated until ready to assemble final dessert. 

  Lay 8 "bottom" pieces of puff pastry on a plate, dollop with approx 2 Tbs pudding mousse, and 1-2 tbs of fresh fruit, followed by another layer of pastry. repeat filling again with mousse and fruit, and finish by topping with a "top" of pastry.  sprinkle all with a light dusting of powdered sugar and drizzle of hot, melted chocolate (I microwave my chocolate chips until melted and use a fork to drizzle over each finished napoleon.)  and remember - you can use homemade preserves in place of fresh berries or even in addition to fresh berries in each layer. It's another great way to use your Canning into Cooking at Home 

Enjoy! Diane 
Recipe Adapted from: Phyllis 
Photos by:  Diane Baker for Canning and Cooking at Home