Best 2 Banana Caramel Napoleons Recipes

facebook share image   twitter share image   pinterest share image   E-Mail share image

Indulge in the symphony of flavors with our delectable Banana Caramel Napoleons, a true masterpiece of French pastry. These elegant treats are crafted with layers of flaky puff pastry, luscious banana filling, and a velvety caramel sauce that will tantalize your taste buds. Each bite offers a harmonious blend of textures and flavors, from the crisp pastry to the creamy filling and the rich caramel.

The journey begins with a classic puff pastry, meticulously prepared with layers of butter and dough that create a golden, flaky crust. This pastry serves as the foundation for the luscious banana filling, a delightful combination of ripe bananas, sugar, and a touch of lemon juice that delivers a burst of sweet and tangy flavor.

To elevate the experience, a velvety caramel sauce is prepared, a symphony of butter, sugar, and cream that transforms into a luscious, golden liquid. The sauce is carefully poured over the layers of pastry and filling, creating a decadent and irresistible glaze.

As a delightful addition, the recipe also includes variations to cater to different preferences. For those who prefer a touch of chocolate, a rich chocolate ganache is introduced, adding a layer of velvety indulgence. For those seeking a nutty twist, a praline crunch is incorporated, providing a delightful texture and flavor contrast.

Delve into the art of creating these exquisite Banana Caramel Napoleons with our step-by-step guide, complete with detailed instructions and helpful tips. Discover the secrets to achieving perfectly flaky puff pastry, a luscious banana filling, and a velvety caramel sauce. Impress your loved ones and elevate your dessert repertoire with these exceptional pastries that are sure to become a cherished tradition.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

BANANA-CARAMEL NAPOLEONS



Banana-Caramel Napoleons image

These easy and elegant napoleon pastries feature layers of sliced bananas, store-bought dulce de leche, whipped cream, and toasted coconut.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Dessert & Treats Recipes

Time 30m

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed and cut into 6 rectangles
3/4 cup cold heavy cream
1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar
2 bananas, sliced thinly on the diagonal
1/2 cup store-bought dulce de leche
1/2 cup sweetened shredded coconut, toasted

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place puff pastry rectangles on a parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet. Bake until golden and puffed, 15 minutes. Remove and let cool on a wire rack. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, using an electric mixer, beat cream and sugar on high until stiff peaks form, 2 to 3 minutes.
  • With a serrated knife, cut rectangles in half horizontally. Reserve 4 tops. Divide banana slices among 4 pastry bottoms, then drizzle with dulce de leche. Use 2 pastry bottoms and 2 pastry tops to make middle layers. Layer with whipped cream and coconut, then top with reserved pastry tops. Serve immediately.

BANANA-CARAMEL NAPOLEONS



Banana-Caramel Napoleons image

Categories     Milk/Cream     Mixer     Fruit     Dessert     Banana     Winter     Bon Appétit     Vegetarian     Pescatarian     Peanut Free     Tree Nut Free     Soy Free     Kosher

Yield Makes 8 Servings

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 cup plus 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
6 tablespoons water
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
2/3 cup whipping cream
1 sheet frozen puff pastry (half of 17 1/4 ounce package), thawed
12 ounces chilled mascarpone cheese
3 large bananas (about), peeled, thinly sliced on diagonal
Powdered sugar

Steps:

  • Combine 1 cup sugar, 6 tablespoons water and lemon juice in heavy small saucepan. Stir over low heat until sugar dissolves. Increase heat and boil without stirring until syrup turns deep amber, brushing down sides of pan with wet pastry brush and swirling occasionally, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat. Carefully add cream (mixture will bubble vigorously). Stir until mixture is smooth. Transfer caramel to small bowl. Cover and refrigerate until thick, about 3 hours.
  • Preheat oven to 400°F. Line 2 heavy large baking sheets with parchment paper, roll out pastry on lightly floured surface to 15x12-inch rectangle. Cut crosswise into three 12x5-inch strips. Transfer pastry strips to prepared baking sheets, spacing evenly. Chill 10 minutes.
  • Pierce pastry with fork. Bake until golden, about 15 minutes. Transfer baking sheets to racks; cool. (Caramel and pastry can be made 2 days ahead. Keep caramel refrigerated. Wrap pastry in foil; store at room temperature.)
  • Set aside 1/2 cup caramel for decoration. Using electric mixer, beat mascarpone and 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar in medium bowl until smooth. Add remaining caramel and beat until caramel cream is well blended, about 1 minute.
  • Trim pastry layers so that they are flat and even. Place 1 pastry strip on work surface. Spread with 1/4 of caramel cream. Arrange half of banana slices in single layer over caramel cream. Spread second pastry strip with 1/4 of caramel cream; place pastry, caramel cream side down, atop bananas. Spread top of second pastry strip with 1/4 of caramel cream. Arrange remaining bananas in single layer over. Spread remaining pastry strip with remaining caramel cream. Place pastry, caramel cream side down, atop bananas. Using serrated knife, cut pastry crosswise into 8 equal pieces. Sift powdered sugar over. (Can be made 2 hours ahead. Tent with foil; refrigerate.)
  • Place napoleons on plates. Drizzle reserved caramel around napoleons.

Tips:

  • Use ripe bananas: For the best flavor, use ripe bananas with plenty of brown spots. This will give your Napoleons a rich, sweet flavor.
  • Don't overcook the bananas: When you're cooking the bananas for the filling, be careful not to overcook them. Overcooked bananas will be mushy and won't have as much flavor.
  • Make sure the caramel is thick enough: The caramel sauce should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. If it's too thin, it will be runny and won't hold its shape.
  • Don't stack the Napoleons too high: When you're assembling the Napoleons, don't stack them too high. The layers should be delicate and easy to eat.
  • Chill the Napoleons before serving: Before you serve the Napoleons, chill them for at least 30 minutes. This will help the flavors to meld and the texture to firm up.

Conclusion:

These Banana Caramel Napoleons are a delicious and elegant dessert that is perfect for any occasion. With their crispy puff pastry layers, creamy banana filling, and decadent caramel sauce, these Napoleons are sure to impress your guests. So next time you're looking for a special dessert, give these Banana Caramel Napoleons a try!

Related Topics