Place another piece of puff pastry on top and repeat the layers. Pipe Bavarian cream onto 8 bottom pieces of puff pastry, place a heaping spoon of strawberries on top of the cream. Once you’ve got your puff pastry baked and Bavarian cream prepared, it’s time to assemble! Split the puff pastry squares in half, reserving 8 tops to side. While the pastry is baking and cooling, you can slice your strawberries and give them a sprinkling of sugar also. I always brush my puff pastry with an egg wash and sprinkling of sugar for beautifully shiny, sweet tops.

Take one sheet of puff pastry and cut it into 12 squares. You might be tempted to skip the almond extract, but don’t! It really transforms the vanilla pudding from so-so to amazing! To make assembly easier, I spoon my Bavarian cream into a disposable pastry bag and refrigerate it until it’s time to use, then just snip off the corner and pipe onto the shells. Simply whip together vanilla instant pudding, heavy cream, vanilla, almond extract and chill.

The Bavarian cream can even be made a day or two ahead of time if you wish to simplify the process and save time. The first step of the napoleons is to make the filling. I’ve been making them ever since, rightly so, since they’ve earned a spot on the list of my husband’s favorite strawberry desserts.Īny time I bring a tray of strawberry napoleons to a gathering it usually elicits a few oohs and ahs, but here’s the big secret about these…they are ridiculously quick and easy to whip up! Seriously, strawberry napoleons are easy enough for anyone to make, even your little budding bakers. They’re light and fresh, but oh so indulgent. They sound exotic, right? And they taste it too. Proud and so pleased with how fancy and elegant these fresh spring strawberry napoleons are. Looking back on it, I was so proud of this dessert. Today’s post is a little nostalgic for me, these strawberry napoleons are one of the first things I ever baked for my husband. What is a Napoleon? Flaky puff pastry layered with fresh strawberries and an easy to make Bavarian cream.

Napoleon pastry