Napoleon Cake

Delicate Layer Cake with Delicious Cream: A Treat with a Story

Total time: 2 hours (including cooling time)
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 15 minutes
Number of servings: 12

If you are looking for a dessert that combines the fragility of layers with the creaminess of a refined cream, you have come to the right place! This delicate layer cake recipe is a true culinary masterpiece, impressing with its texture and taste. Not only is it an elegant dessert, but it is also a perfect way to bring a smile to the faces of your loved ones. Moreover, the story of this cake will take you back in time to the days when every family gathering was marked by a special dessert.

Ingredients needed:

*For the layers:*
- 300 g flour (you can choose white flour or spelt flour)
- 300 g butter (82% fat, make sure it is cold)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 eggs
- 1 tablespoon vinegar
- 2 tablespoons brandy (or another preferred alcohol for a deeper flavor)
- 150 ml cold water

*For the cream:*
- 1100 ml milk
- 5 egg yolks
- 200 g sugar
- 7 tablespoons white flour
- 300 g butter (at room temperature)
- Juice of 1 lemon (for a pleasant contrast)
- 1 vanilla pod
- 1 jar of sour cherry jam (370 g, for a touch of sweetness)

Preparing the layers:

1. Mix the dry ingredients: In a large bowl, cut the cold butter into cubes and mix it with the flour and salt. You should achieve a sandy texture, which will form the base of your layers.

2. Prepare the dough: In another bowl, beat the eggs and add the vinegar, brandy, and cold water. Pour this mixture over the dry ingredients and knead until you obtain a dough that does not stick to your fingers. Be careful not to soften the butter too much, as the layers will not separate well when baked.

3. Chill the dough: Divide the dough into 12 balls, cover them with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes. This step is essential to achieve tender layers.

4. Roll out the layers: On a lightly floured surface, roll each ball of dough into a thin layer using parchment paper. Cut the layers with a round cutter with a diameter of 22 cm, keeping the edges for decoration.

5. Bake the layers: Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Celsius. Bake the layers for 5-6 minutes, or until the edges turn golden. Be careful, the layers are fragile, so use a wide spatula to remove them from the tray.

Preparing the cream:

1. Mix the ingredients: In a double-bottomed pot, mix the eggs with the sugar, add a little milk, and continue mixing until the sugar dissolves.

2. Thicken the cream: Add the flour, vanilla seeds, and the rest of the milk. Place the pot on low heat, stirring constantly with a whisk, until the mixture thickens. This is the secret to a fine and velvety cream.

3. Finish the cream: Once the cream has thickened, remove the pot from the heat and add the cubed butter and lemon juice. Mix well until the butter completely melts. Cover the pot to prevent a skin from forming.

Assembling the cake:

1. Place the first layer: Place the first layer on a platter and surround it with an adjustable ring.

2. Add the cream: Spread 2-3 tablespoons of cream on the first layer. Continue to add layers and cream, alternating, adding 2-3 tablespoons of sour cherry jam on layers 3 and 7, distributing evenly.

3. Decor: With the remaining dough, crumble it and sprinkle it over the cake for a rustic and delicious look.

4. Final cooling: It is recommended to let the cake chill in the refrigerator overnight, so the layers soften and the flavors blend perfectly.

Practical tips:

- Cream: If you want a richer cream, you can add 20% more butter.
- Layers: Let the layers brown completely for a more intense flavor.
- Serving: The cake is best served well chilled, and a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a fragrant coffee pairs perfectly.

Nutritional values:

This cake has a moderate calorie content due to the butter and sugar. A serving contains approximately 400-500 calories, but it is full of nutrients. The butter provides healthy fats, and the lemon adds vitamin C.

Frequently asked questions:

1. Can I use another type of jam? Of course! Raspberry or peach jam would add a different and interesting note.
2. How can I store the cake? It keeps well in the refrigerator, covered, for 3-4 days.
3. Is it hard to make? No! With a little patience and love for cooking, you will achieve an extraordinary dessert.

Now that you have all the necessary information, gather your ingredients and start your kitchen adventure! Don’t forget to enjoy every step and share the final result with your loved ones. Your delicate layer cake with delicious cream will surely become a staple recipe in your culinary repertoire. Bon appétit!

 Ingredients: Ingredients for the dough: 300 g flour, 300 g butter (82% fat), 1 teaspoon salt, 740 g flour (I used organic white spelt flour), 2 eggs, 1 tablespoon vinegar, 2 tablespoons brandy, 150 ml cold water, 1 teaspoon salt. Ingredients for the cream: 1100 ml milk, 5 egg yolks, 200 g sugar, 7 tablespoons white flour, 300 g butter, juice of 1 lemon, 1 vanilla pod, 1 jar of sour cherry jam (370 g).

 Tags:  napoleon cake