No-Bake Pumpkin Napoleon

Recipe:

Ingredients:

• For the Pumpkin Puree:
  • 1 medium pumpkin, peeled, seeded, and cut into chunks
  • Water for boiling
• For the Custard:
  • 350ml whole milk
  • 80g cornstarch
  • 200g sweetened condensed milk
  • A pinch of salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Ground cinnamon to taste
• For the Assembly:
  • Store-bought puff pastry sheets, thawed
  • 60g walnuts, roughly chopped
  • Honey for drizzling

Preparing the Pumpkin Puree

The foundation of this dessert lies in the pumpkin puree. To achieve the perfect texture, follow these steps:

1. Preheating: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Roasting: Place the pumpkin chunks on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Roast for approximately 30-40 minutes, or until the pumpkin is tender and easily pierced with a fork.
3. Pureeing: Allow the roasted pumpkin to cool slightly. Transfer it to a blender or food processor and puree until smooth. For a velvety texture, pass the puree through a fine-mesh sieve.

Crafting the Creamy Custard

The custard is the heart of this dessert, providing a rich and luscious contrast to the flaky pastry. Here’s how to create this essential component:

1. Whisking the Base: In a medium saucepan, whisk together the whole milk, cornstarch, and salt until smooth.
2. Cooking the Custard: Bring the mixture to a medium heat, stirring constantly to prevent lumps from forming. As the mixture thickens, it will resemble a custard. Continue cooking and stirring for about 2-3 minutes until the custard is fully cooked.
3. Infusing Flavor: Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the custard cool slightly. Stir in the sweetened condensed milk, vanilla extract, and cinnamon. Taste and adjust the sweetness and spice levels according to your preference.

Assembling the Napoleon

With the pumpkin puree and custard prepared, it’s time to construct the Napoleon:

1. Preparing the Puff Pastry: Preheat your oven according to the puff pastry package instructions.
2. Layering: Place one puff pastry sheet on a baking sheet. Spread a layer of pumpkin custard evenly over the pastry. Sprinkle with chopped walnuts.
3. Repeating Layers: Repeat the process of adding a puff pastry sheet, custard, and walnuts until you’ve used all the ingredients. The top layer should be a puff pastry sheet.
4. Baking: Bake the assembled Napoleon according to the puff pastry package instructions until the pastry is golden brown and flaky.
5. Chilling: Allow the Napoleon to cool completely before refrigerating for at least 4 hours to allow the flavors to meld.

Serving Your Masterpiece

Once chilled, the Napoleon is ready to be sliced and served. Drizzle with honey for an extra touch of sweetness. This dessert is best enjoyed fresh, but it can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two days.

The combination of creamy pumpkin custard, crunchy walnuts, and flaky pastry creates a symphony of textures and flavors that will delight your taste buds. Enjoy this no-bake masterpiece as a decadent treat for any occasion.