Strawberry Napoleons, An Easy and Impressive Dessert

This is a Dessert from my Cookbook,  5 Ingredient Solutions. It's a great little cookbook, but I get alot of flack for it. You see there are alot of Recipe Snobs. They believe that if a recipe calls for an ingredient that is pre-made or store bought than it isn't really a recipe.
I started writing and publishing this blog for 1 reason and only that reason to reinforce the idea that any food eaten at home with family is better than one eaten in the backseat of an SUV. I still believe that today. If that makes me a person who condones "shortcuts" , then so be it. What many "Recipe Snobs" don't understand is that the world has changed. Well, the US has changed. With more than 50% of the nation's children coming from Single Parent homes because if the ever increasing divorce rate. Working Parents cannot consistently provide an evening meal without "some" help. The truth is if we "shame" them into thinking that what little shortcuts they take, make what they do bring to the table less than optimal, then they will be discouraged and not bother at all. That's counter-productive to my mission and not what I'm about.

Here, I am bringing my signature Strawberry Napoleons! Try to tell me you don't want to lick the screen!
I can promise that this Dessert will be easier than alot of other desserts I have brought to you and it will deliver EVERY single time you serve it!
Essentially it's a Strawberry Shortcake with the Volume turned to BLAST! Enjoy!

Ingredients:

1 sheet Prepared Puff Pastry
2 Tbsp Apricot Preserves
1 ½ cups sliced Strawberries (4 whole berries, garnish)
1/2 cup Strawberry Preserves
3.4 oz. box Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix
2 cups Heavy cream (May substitute Milk)

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 400 ° f

Line a Baking Sheet with parchment.
Defrost Pastry according to box directions.
In a small microwaveable bowl, warm Apricot preserves for 30-40 seconds until thin

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Strawberry Napoleon, Happy Strawberries and Cream Day!

Happy Strawberries and Cream Day! Can't pass up an opportunity to showcase one of my favorite abundant fruits! Strawberry season is one of my favorite seasons of the year. I dried Strawberries in the oven, I make frozen strawberry compote and jam. And of course, these Strawberry Napoleons are a staple on my dessert list all season long! Enjoy!!

Strawberry Napoleons

Ingredients:

1 sheet Prepared Puff Pastry

½ cup strawberry preserves

1 ½ cups sliced Strawberries (4 whole berries, garnish)

3.4 oz. box Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix

2 cups Heavy cream (May substitute Milk)

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 400 ° f

Line a Baking Sheet with parchment.

Defrost Pastry according to box directions.

Remove Pastry sheets from sleeve one at a time.

Lay Pastry sheet out on floured board.

Cut pastry along folds.

Cut each strip into 3 even pieces.

Place each Square onto parchment lined baking sheet.

Dock each square lightly with a fork.

Bake according to box directions.

**You need 1 1/2 squares per Napoleon, so do the math according to how many servings you wish yield.

While Pastry is baking:

Place Strawberry preserves in a small microwave safe bowl.

Heat preserves for 60 seconds.

Place cut strawberries into warm preserves. Set aside.

In a Large cold mixing bowl Beat together Heavy cream and Vanilla Pudding Mix.

Upon reaching full thickness, place pudding in refrigerator for 15-20 minutes

Assembly:

Insert a fork or little serrated knife into pastry square, Split each Pastry square in half.

Place bottom half of pastry square onto the serving plate.

Place 2-3 tbsp. vanilla pudding onto bottom pastry.

Place Pastry Square (Inside facing up) on top of vanilla pudding (it will serve to hold strawberries like a cup)

Place 2-3 tbsp. of Strawberries into cavern of pastry.

Top with a Pastry top. Garnish with small dollop of pudding and reserved whole strawberry.

Continue for remaining Napoleons.

Serve.