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A striking dessert that is surprisingly easy to make. Raspberry Napoleon is sheets of crispy puff pastry layered with lemon custard and fresh berries and topped with shaved white chocolate. A dessert than can be shared…or not.

Raspberry Napoleon on a white plate

Cupids favorite day is this Sunday. If you’re staying home this Valentine’s Day and cooking for your significant other, why not wow them with this raspberry Napoleon?  Taking a little help from the store, frozen puff pastry is baked and flattened under a baking sheet. Creamy lemon custard, which is a simple custard with added fresh lemon zest that is a perfect complement to the fresh berries. The custard is piped (you can use a disposable piping bag or a ziptop bag with the end snipped off) between the berries that equal the size and shape so the layers of puff pastry lay neatly and elegantly on top.

A closeup of the top showing shaved white chocolate and a raspberry

Living in California, I am fortunate that berries are available year round. Right now the raspberries are stunning, dark and plump, but strawberries  would be also delicious in this dessert as well. Raspberry Napoleon is a pretty dessert that can be enjoyed year round (and people will think you bought it from a bakery).

A side view showing the layers

 If you’re looking for a chocolate Valentine’s Day dessert, you need to make my mini chocolate cake for two. It’s the perfect size to share with a loved one.

f you’ve tried this Raspberry Napoleon or any other recipe on the blog, then don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know it turned out in the comments below. I love to hear from my readers!

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Yield: 2

Raspberry Napoleon

The dessert on a plate showing the red raspberries and lemon custard sandwiched between puff pastry

Raspberry Napoleon is sheets of crispy puff pastry layered with lemon custard and fresh berries and topped with shaved white chocolate.

Prep Time 2 hours
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 40 minutes

Ingredients

  • For the cream:
  • 2 cups (236 ml) whole milk
  • 1/2 cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 1 egg
  • 1/4 cup (30 grams) cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • For the pastry:
  • 1 sheet puff pastry
  • 32 fresh raspberries, 7 ounces
  • White chocolate, grated

Instructions

  1. For the cream:
  2. In a medium saucepan, stir together the milk and sugar over medium heat bring to a boil.
  3. While the milk is coming to a boil, in a mixing bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and egg.
  4. Stir the cornstarch into the eggs until smooth.
  5. Whisk 1/3 cup of the hot milk into the egg mixture. This will temper the eggs and stop them from curdling or cooking.
  6. Add the rest of the milk slowly to the egg mixture while whisking.
  7. Return the mixture to the saucepan over low heat stir the mixture constantly stirring so the eggs don't burn on the bottom of the pan, until thickened.
  8. Once the custard has thickened, remove from the heat.
  9. Stir in the the vanilla and lemon zest, mix until well incorporated.
  10. Transfer the custard to a heat-proof dish and put plastic wrap directly on top of the custard to prevent a skin. Cover with a lid and refrigerate for at least 2 hours until set.
  11. For the pastry:
  12. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
  13. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  14. Flour a clean surface and roll out pastry to 14 x 12 inches.
  15. Carefully transfer the pastry to the baking sheet and prick holes all over with a fork.
  16. Bake for 15 minutes until light golden.
  17. Remove the pastry from the oven and place another sheet of parchment paper over the pastry and weigh down with another baking sheet.
  18. Bake for a further 15 minutes until golden brown.
  19. Using 2 spatulas, transfer the warm pastry onto a cutting board and cut into a 12 x 9 inch shape (the pastry will have shrunk). Then cut in half to get 2, 6 inch pieces. Then cut those into thirds so you end up with 6 each of 6 x 3 inch pieces. Allow the pastry to cool completely.
  20. Once the cream is cooled, transfer to a piping bag (or ziptop bag and snip off the corner).
  21. Place 1 pastry piece into a serving plate and arrange 8 raspberries around the edges. Pipe a little cream between each. Lay another layer of pastry on top, repeat with the raspberries and cream.
  22. Lay a final layer of pastry on top and sprinkle with grated chocolate and 1 raspberry.
  23. Repeat the layering process for the 2nd Napoleon.

Nutrition Information

Yield

2

Serving Size

1
Amount Per Serving Calories 560Total Fat 35gSaturated Fat 16gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 16gCholesterol 311mgSodium 226mgCarbohydrates 121gFiber 7gSugar 92gProtein 18g
© Janette
Cuisine: French / Category: Dessert

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