Embrace the elegance of French patisserie with this Citrus Cream Napoleon Cake, a delightful twist on the classic dessert. Featuring crisp layers of puff pastry, a light and creamy filling, and a vibrant orange compote, this cake is a sophisticated blend of textures and flavors. Perfect for impressing guests or treating yourself, it’s a testament to the beauty of simple ingredients coming together to create something extraordinary.
Ingredients:
For the Pastry Layers:
- 250g (8.8 oz) puff pastry sheet
- 10g (0.35oz) sugar
For the Cream Filling:
- 500ml (17 fl oz) milk cream (33% fat)
- 100g (3.5 oz) powdered sugar
- 250g (8.8 oz) cream cheese
For the Orange Compote:
- 3 oranges, peeled and segmented
- 100g (3.5oz) sugar
- 15g (0.5 oz) cornstarch
For Assembly:
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions:
- Prepare the Puff Pastry:
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (356°F). Sprinkle sugar over the puff pastry sheet and roll it out to fit a 24cm (9.5 inch) shape or baking tray. Prick the pastry with a fork to prevent it from puffing up too much.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15-17 minutes or until golden and crisp. Allow to cool completely. If necessary, bake in two batches to create multiple layers.
- Make the Cream Filling:
- In a mixing bowl, whip the milk cream with powdered sugar until it forms soft peaks. Gently fold in the cream cheese until the mixture is smooth and well combined. Refrigerate until needed.
- Cook the Orange Compote:
- In a saucepan, combine the orange segments with sugar and cornstarch. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture comes to a boil and thickens. Remove from heat and let cool completely.
- Assemble the Cake:
- Cut the cooled puff pastry into desired shapes or layers. Place the first layer on your serving plate.
- Spread a layer of the cream filling over the pastry, followed by a layer of orange compote. Repeat the layering process, finishing with a layer of cream on top.
- Refrigerate the assembled cake for a few hours to allow the flavors to meld and the cream to set.
- Final Touches:
- Just before serving, dust the top of the cake with powdered sugar for a beautiful finish.
- Enjoy:
- Serve your Citrus Cream Napoleon Cake chilled, slicing carefully to reveal the beautiful layers of pastry, cream, and compote.
Conclusion:
This Citrus Cream Napoleon Cake is a delightful celebration of flavor and texture, combining flaky pastry, creamy filling, and tangy orange compote. It’s a show-stopping dessert that’s sure to dazzle on any occasion, proving that a few quality ingredients can create a masterpiece of taste.