Aside from the watching the cherry blossoms burst open and the hummingbirds make their annual arrival, one of the pleasures of spring is biting into a fresh strawberry. I am not talking about those pale red specimens that mope on the shelves year-round, tasteless and scentless. No, I am talking about the local strawberries that are available at the height of spring, that smell like tropical flowers and are sweeter than any chocolate dessert. To me, strawberries epitomize spring and the rejuvenation that the season brings. The Strawberry & Goat Cheese Green Salad that I make last week was a good start, but I was itching to work it into a dessert, such as this Napoleon.
Puff pastry is one of my favorite ingredients to work with, both for appetizers and desserts. It is easy to manipulate, it is forgiving and it willingly pairs with a variety of flavors. Puff pastry is a standard ingredient in classic Napoleon pastries, the French dessert that is also known as Mille-feuille, which means "thousand leaf". A traditional Napoleon is made with three layers of puff pastry, filled with pastry cream, and topped with an icing in alternating white and brown chocolate stripes.
Cream cheese is enhanced with cocoa and sugar to make a creamy filling for the Napoleons. The golden brown, flaky pastry layers are stacked with the chocolate cream cheese and fresh strawberries to make a dessert that is beautiful to look at and tastes even better. In each bite, you will experience the light crispness of the pastry, the creamy sweetness of the cream cheese and the freshness of the berries. It is the taste of spring all in one bite.
The recipe:
Puff pastry:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
On a lightly floured surface lightly roll out puff pastry. Cut each sheet into six equal pieces. Divide evenly between the two baking sheets. Lightly brush the tops of the puff pastry with egg.
Bake until puffed and light golden brown, about 10 minutes. Lift the puff pastry pieces from the baking sheets and let cool on wire racks.
Chocolate cream cheese:
Into a medium bowl, sift together sugar and cocoa. In a separate bowl, combine softened cream cheese, milk, and vanilla extract by mashing with the back of a fork. Stir in the sugar mixture until combined.
Assembling:
Place one puff pastry piece on each plate (6 in all). Spread about 2 ½ tablespoons chocolate cream cheese on these puff pastry pieces. Top each with ¼ cup sliced fresh strawberries and place the remaining pieces of puff pastry on top to form a "sandwich".
Sift powdered sugar over each Napoleon and garnish with a few strawberry slices and sprigs of mint. Serve.
Strawberry & Chocolate Cream Cheese Napoleon
Chocolate Cream Cheese:
¼ cup plus 3 tablespoon granulated sugar
3 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa
8 oz. Philadelphia cream cheese, room temperature
2 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoon milk
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
The rest:
2 sheets purchased puff pastry, defrosted
1 egg, whisked
1 ¾ cups sliced fresh strawberries
Powdered sugar, for garnish
Mint sprigs, for garnish
Puff pastry:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
On a lightly floured surface lightly roll out puff pastry. Cut each sheet into six equal pieces. Divide evenly between the two baking sheets. Lightly brush the tops of the puff pastry with egg. Bake until puffed and light golden brown, about 10 minutes. Lift the puff pastry pieces from the baking sheets and let cool on wire racks.
Chocolate cream cheese:
Into a medium bowl, sift together sugar and cocoa. In a separate bowl, combine softened cream cheese, milk, and vanilla extract by mashing with the back of a fork. Stir in the sugar mixture until combined.
Assembling:
Place one puff pastry piece on each plate (6 in all). Spread about 2 ½ tablespoons chocolate cream cheese on these puff pastry pieces. Top each with ¼ cup sliced fresh strawberries and place the remaining pieces of puff pastry on top to form a "sandwich". Sift powdered sugar over each Napoleon and garnish with a few strawberry slices and sprigs of mint. Serve.
Makes 6 Napoleons.
bellini
This is surely a winner!!!!!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thank you!
Sara @CaffeIna
It looks delicious! I have strawberries, cream cheese and puff pastry at home...is it a sign that I have to make this napoleon?
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
I think it is! Get to work, Sara.
Maris (In Good Taste)
This looks so wonderful! I am a huge fan of puff pastry (and you) and you have made this into an incredible dessert!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thanks, Maris. You're a sweetie!
Tracy
Goodness does that look delicious! Beautiful dessert!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thanks so much, Tracy.
Flavia
Dara, these look wonderful! I love the combination of chocolate with strawberries and I adore puff pastry. It looks like an easy, yet elegant dessert. Lovely!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thank you, Flavia. Yes, this would be great for last-minute entertaining.
Carolyn
Just gorgeous! I can hardly wait until strawberry season...which isn't really until June up here!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
It's always a treat when you see the first container of really sweet smelling strawberries at the market. I look forward to that each year.
Asiya
This looks delicious...I've been wanting to try making a Napoleon for a long time. Do you think it would work with light cream cheese?
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Absolutely, Asiya. The light cream cheese would work well.
Carrie
that chocolate cream cheese is brilliant!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thank you, Carrie.
Gaby
this is my kinda dessert!! I've never seen chocolate cream cheese before - but now I have to try it! It sounds ah-mazing!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Gaby, I've made desserts with chocolate mascarpone before and was really happy that it worked out so well with the cream cheese.
Suzanne
simple and delicious, love it!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thanks, Suzanne.
Kankana
I always like puff pastry and now that i know you can buy the frozen ones .. life became easy 🙂 These looks super gorgeous and i can only imagine how tasty it will be !!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Kankana, I am a big fan of the frozen puff pastry for quick and easy desserts and appetizers.
cooking rookie
Beautiful photos! I would never think of combining cream cheese with puff pastry, but why not?
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thank you. That's what I said - why not? And I'm so glad it worked out.
Sommer@ASpicyPerspective
YUM. I just can't get enough of these simple and delightful treats. Great use of cream cheese.
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thanks, Sommer. I do love how easily this dessert goes together.
Jen at The Three Little Piglets
I'm with Heather. I was just thinking - oh the things you could do with chocolate cream cheese! Like licking it off the spoon...
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thanks, Jen. I'll have to put my mind to work for other chocolate cream cheese options.
Erin @ Making Memories
Wow! I'm speechless! They look amazing!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thanks so much, Erin.
Katrina
This looks lovely. I especially like the chocolate cream cheese!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thanks, Katrina. The chocolate cream cheese is definitely a highlight of this dessert.
Explora Cuisine
How I love this amazing dessert! It's classic and super tasty, and looks divine!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thanks so much. They are also lots of fun to make - I have a thing for stacking food.
Heather at FarmgirlGourmet
That looks amazing Dara! All things I love!! I am definitely making this!! Thank you!!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thanks, Heather. I hope you enjoy it.
RLV @ bittensweetblog.com
Oh my goodness. This looks like the perfect dessert. I wonder if you could use Nutella in place of the cocoa powder? I'm going to make this for Father's Day. His name is Napoleon. It only makes perfect sense! 😉
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
I think Nutella would work perfectly! I hope Napoleon enjoys his Napoleon.
Heather at Heathers Dish
Oh my goodness, chocolate cream cheese sounds like a dream come true!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thanks, Heather. It is so easy to whip up.