Easy Strawberry Napoleons Recipes

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees. Have ready 3 sheets frozen phyllo dough, thawed. Spray 1 sheet of phyllo with butter-flavored cooking spray, then sprinkle with cinnamon sugar; top with a second sheet of phyllo, cooking spray, and cinnamon sugar. Top with remaining sheet. Cut into 12 squares. Transfer to a baking sheet and bake 8 to 10 minutes until puffed and crisp. Fold 1/2 cup whipped cream or topping into 1 cup vanilla pudding. For each Napoleon, top a pastry square with some pudding mixture and sliced berries. Repeat layer, then top with a pastry squared. Dust with confectioners' sugar.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Sprinkle work surface with some of granulated sugar. Unfold dough on top and sprinkle with more granulated sugar. If necessary, roll out to a 9 1/2-by-12 1/2-inch rectangle, slightly more than 1/8 inch thick. Using a sharp knife or pastry cutter, cut into a 9-by-12-inch rectangle. Transfer to a baking sheet; freeze 20 minutes. Cut into twelve 4-by-2 1/4-inch rectangles. Transfer to two baking sheets and refrigerate until firm, about 30 minutes.
• Prick rectangles all over with a fork. Coat two wire racks with cooking spray and place one over each set of rectangles (if you only have one cooling rack, work in batches). Bake until pastry just reaches tops of racks, about 15 minutes (do not let it bake into racks and stick). Remove racks; continue to bake until golden and evenly browned, about 15 minutes more. Let cool completely on racks, about 30 minutes.
• With a mixer, whisk cream, creme fraiche, vanilla seeds, and confectioners' sugar on medium speed until stiff peaks form, 1 to 2 minutes. Fit a pastry bag with a large star tip (such as Ateco #825). Split pastry rectangles horizontally (to create 24 pieces total). Choose 8 nice tops; set aside. Arrange a single layer of strawberries over 8 bottom rectangles. Pipe about 2 tablespoons cream over berries. Top with a second layer of berries. Pipe 2 tablespoons cream onto 8 more rectangles. Top with a layer of strawberries. Pipe a dollop of cream onto bottom and place on top of first layer, pressing very gently to help stick. Pipe a dollop of cream on bottom of reserved rectangles and place on top, sugared-sides up. Refrigerate at least 1 hour and up to overnight.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Combine pudding mix and cold milk; fold in whipped topping. Refrigerate until ready to use.
• Unfold pastry on a cool, lightly floured surface. Cut into 3 strips along fold marks, then cut each strip into four equal pieces. Place 2 inches apart on a baking sheet.
• Bake for 15 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden brown. Remove from baking sheet, and cool.
• Split pastries into 2 layers, setting the 8 best looking tops aside. Spread 8 bottom layers with dollops of the pudding mixture. Top each with a layer of strawberries, a small amount of pudding, and another pastry layer. (A small amount of the pudding mix on top of the berries will help keep the layers together.) Spread with remaining pudding mixture and strawberries, and top with remaining pastry layers (the best looking ones). Sprinkle with confectioner's sugar.

Steps:

• Make the pastries: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Unfold the puff pastry onto the prepared baking sheet. Whisk the egg yolk with 1 tablespoon water in a small bowl; brush all over the puff pastry, then sprinkle with the sugar. Freeze until the pastry is firm, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make the strawberry filling: Mash 1 cup strawberries with a fork in a large bowl. Add the remaining strawberries, 2 tablespoons sugar and the vanilla; toss to coat. Set aside until ready to assemble. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Spread the almonds on a baking sheet and bake until golden, 5 to 7 minutes; set aside. Cut the puff pastry into four 4-inch squares with a sharp knife; prick all over with a fork. Transfer to the oven and bake until puffed and lightly golden, about 20 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 325 degrees F and continue baking until flaky and golden brown, about 15 more minutes. Remove to a rack and let cool completely.
• Make the prosecco cream: Combine the mascarpone, heavy cream, the remaining 2 tablespoons sugar and the prosecco in a medium bowl; beat with a mixer on medium speed until soft peaks form, about 2 minutes. (Do not overbeat or the cream will become grainy.) Slice the pastries in half horizontally using a serrated knife. Put a bottom half on each plate. Top each with some prosecco cream and strawberries with their juices; cover with the top pastry halves and sprinkle with the almonds. Photograph by Anna Williams

Steps:

• On a lightly floured surface, roll out each pastry sheet to a 9-in. square. Place on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 30 minutes or until golden brown. , Meanwhile, in a saucepan, combine sugar, cornstarch and salt. Gradually add milk until smooth. Cook and stir over medium-high heat until thickened and bubbly. Reduce heat; cook and stir 2 minutes longer. Remove from the heat. Stir a small amount of hot filling into egg yolks; return all to pan, stirring constantly. Bring to a gentle boil; cook and stir 2 minutes longer. Remove from the heat. Gently stir in butter and vanilla. Pour into a bowl; cover surface with plastic wrap. Refrigerate, without stirring, until chilled. , For topping, beat cream in a chilled large bowl until it begins to thicken. Add sugar and vanilla; beat until soft peaks form. , Place one pastry square on a serving platter. Top with the custard, strawberries, sweetened whipped cream and second pastry. Dust with confectioners' sugar. Refrigerate leftovers.

Steps:

• Mix pudding mix and milk-(skim or low fat is fine) and beat on low for 2 minutes.
• Fold in Cool Whip- can be low or non fat.
• Place 12 crackers in bottom of 8" square dish to cover bottom, break crackers if needed. Breaking also helps disguise the saltines.
• Top with 1/3 of the pudding mix.
• Repeat to create a total of three layers of crackers and three layers of pudding.
• Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.
• Just before serving top with cleaned and sliced berries.
• Note: Vanilla and strawberries are my favorite combo but try with different types of fresh fruit using what is in season. Also try different pudding flavors keeping in mind that lighter colors disguise the saltines the best!