Best 6 Layered Neopolitan Squares Recipes

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Are you craving a delicious and nostalgic treat that combines the classic flavors of chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry? Look no further than our Layered Neopolitan Squares! These delectable treats feature layers of rich chocolate cake, creamy vanilla custard, and sweet strawberry jam, all topped with a luscious chocolate ganache. They're perfect for any occasion, whether you're hosting a party, celebrating a special event, or simply indulging in a sweet treat. Our article provides two irresistible recipes: one for a traditional Layered Neopolitan Squares and another for a fun and festive Neopolitan Checkerboard Cake. Both recipes offer step-by-step instructions, detailed ingredient lists, and helpful tips to ensure your squares or cake turns out perfectly. Get ready to impress your friends and family with these delightful layered desserts!

Here are our top 6 tried and tested recipes!

NEAPOLITAN BARS



Neapolitan Bars image

The colors of the season featured in this moist bars, which are layered with cherry and apricot preserves.-Nancy Foust, Stoneboro, Pennsylvania

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 1h

Yield 4 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 15

1 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 to 2 drops green food coloring
1 to 2 drops red food coloring
1/3 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup finely chopped maraschino cherries, patted dry
1/3 cup sweetened shredded coconut
1/2 teaspoon rum extract
1/4 cup cherry preserves
1/4 cup apricot preserves

Steps:

  • Line a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking pan with waxed paper; grease the paper and set aside., In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. , Divide dough in thirds. Tint one portion green and one portion red; leave the remaining portion white. Add chocolate chips to green portion, cherries to red portion and coconut and rum extract to white portion. Spread one portion into prepared pan. Bake at 350° for 7-9 minutes or until edges are golden brown., Immediately invert onto a wire rack and remove waxed paper. Place another wire rack on top and turn over. Cool completely. Repeat with remaining portions, preparing pan each time., Place pink layer on a large piece of plastic wrap, about 30 in. long. Spread with cherry preserves. Top with white layer and spread with apricot preserves. Top with green layer. Bring plastic over layers. Slide onto a baking sheet and set a cutting board on top to compress layers. Refrigerate overnight., With a sharp knife, trim 1/4 in. from each edge. Cut into bars. Store in an airtight container.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 94 calories, Fat 5g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 14mg cholesterol, Sodium 69mg sodium, Carbohydrate 13g carbohydrate (7g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 1g protein.

NEAPOLITAN CRISPY BARS



Neapolitan Crispy Bars image

Talk about a conversation piece! These fun, yummy bars will get people talking. -Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 40m

Yield 1 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 package (10 ounces) large marshmallows, divided
3 tablespoons butter, divided
2 cups Cocoa Krispies
1/2 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips
4 cups Rice Krispies, divided
1/4 cup strawberry preserves
5 drops red food coloring, optional

Steps:

  • In a large saucepan, combine a third of the marshmallows (about 2 cups) and 1 tablespoon butter. Cook and stir over medium-low heat until melted. Remove from heat; stir in Cocoa Krispies and chocolate chips. Press into a greased 11x7-in. dish., In a saucepan, combine a third of the marshmallows and 1 tablespoon butter. Cook and stir over medium-low heat until melted. Remove from heat; stir in 2 cups Rice Krispies. Press into dish over chocolate layer., In a saucepan, combine remaining marshmallows and butter. Cook and stir over medium-low heat until melted. Remove from heat; stir in preserves and, if desired, food coloring. Stir in remaining Rice Krispies. Press into dish; cool. Cut into bars.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 228 calories, Fat 5g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 8mg cholesterol, Sodium 159mg sodium, Carbohydrate 46g carbohydrate (28g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 2g protein.

NEAPOLITAN CREAM CHEESE BARS



Neapolitan Cream Cheese Bars image

Prize-Winning Recipe Fall 2010! Layer chocolate, vanilla and strawberry flavors in a delightful bar.

Provided by Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Dessert

Time 3h35m

Yield 36

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 pouch (1 lb 1.5 oz) Betty Crocker™ double chocolate chunk cookie mix
1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted
3 eggs
2 packages (8 oz each) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 container (12 oz) Betty Crocker™ Whipped Strawberry frosting

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 350°F. Spray bottom and sides of 13x9-inch pan with cooking spray. In large bowl, stir cookie mix, melted butter and 1 egg until soft dough forms. Press dough in bottom of pan. Bake 10 minutes. Cool 10 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, in large bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, vanilla and the remaining 2 eggs with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Spread over cookie base.
  • Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until set. Cool 30 minutes. Spread frosting over cream cheese layer. Refrigerate about 2 hours or until chilled. For bars, cut into 6 rows by 6 rows. Store covered in refrigerator.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 180, Carbohydrate 20 g, Cholesterol 40 mg, Fat 2, Fiber 0 g, Protein 1 g, SaturatedFat 6 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 135 mg, Sugar 15 g, TransFat 1 g

MILLE FEUILLE (NAPOLEON PASTRY SHEETS)



Mille Feuille (Napoleon Pastry Sheets) image

You don't need to make your own dough when frozen puff pastry sheets work just fine. The key is keeping the dough flat when baking which we do by 'docking' it, or pricking all over with the tines of a fork. These crispy, buttery sheets are the first step in making your own Napoleons.

Provided by Chef John

Categories     100+ Everyday Cooking Recipes

Time 55m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 2

1 (17.5 ounce) package frozen puff pastry dough, thawed
2 teaspoons white sugar, or as needed for dusting

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with a silicone sheet.
  • Separate dough at the seams into 4 squares and place on prepared baking sheet. Score the dough all over with the tines of a fork to prevent it from rising too much when baking. Lightly sprinkle dough sheets with white granulated sugar.
  • Cover with a sheet of parchment paper and 3 sheets of aluminum foil. Nest another baking sheet on top to apply some pressure to the dough while it bakes.
  • Bake in preheated oven 15 minutes; remove top pan and foil and gently peel off the parchment paper. Return pan to oven and bake until pastry is beautifully browned, 10 to 15 minutes. (Optionally, you can bake about 7 minutes after uncovering, then flip sheets over and bake until brown on the other side, another 7 minutes.)
  • Transfer to cooling rack and cool completely before cutting.
  • Square the sheets by trimming uneven edges off sheets using a sharp serrated knife with light sawing motion to keep the pastry from breaking. Cut each rectangle crosswise into 3 equal smaller rectangles. Use 3 small rectangles per pastry.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 683 calories, Carbohydrate 57.3 g, Fat 46.7 g, Fiber 1.8 g, Protein 8.9 g, SaturatedFat 11.8 g, Sodium 305 mg, Sugar 3 g

NEAPOLITAN HOLIDAY COOKIES



Neapolitan Holiday Cookies image

Provided by Valerie Bertinelli

Categories     dessert

Time 11h

Yield 7 dozen cookies

Number Of Ingredients 11

Cooking spray
8 ounces almond paste
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup sugar
4 large eggs, separated
2 cups all-purpose flour
20 drops red food coloring
12 drops green food coloring
1/4 cup seedless raspberry jam
1/4 cup apricot preserves
6 ounces dark chocolate chips

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Coat 3 quarter-sheet pans (or three 13-by-9-by-2-inch jelly roll pans) with cooking spray. Line each pan with parchment paper and coat the paper with cooking spray as well.
  • Place the almond paste in the bowl of a stand mixer. Break it up into small pieces with a fork. Fit the mixer with the paddle attachment and add the butter and sugar to the bowl. Beat the mixture on high speed until light and fluffy, about 7 minutes. Reduce the speed to medium, add the egg yolks, and beat until incorporated. Turn the mixer off and stir in the flour with a wooden spoon until well combined. Transfer the mixture to a medium bowl.
  • Clean the mixer bowl thoroughly and fit the mixer with the whisk attachment. Beat the egg whites on high speed until stiff peaks form. Fold the egg whites into the batter until thoroughly blended.
  • Transfer 1 1/2 cups of the batter to a medium bowl, then transfer another 1 1/2 cups of the batter to a second medium bowl. Add the red food coloring to one of the bowls and stir until the batter is tinted throughout. Add the green food coloring to the second bowl and stir until the batter is tinted throughout. Scrape each of the three batters into one of the prepared pans, using the spatula to spread the batter to the edges. Bake, rotating and switching the positions of the pans halfway through, until the edges are golden, 12 to 14 minutes. Let cool in the pans for about 5 minutes, then invert onto cooling racks and allow to cool completely.
  • To assemble, place the green layer on a large cutting board or a large inverted baking sheet lined with wax paper. Spread the raspberry jam evenly over the top. Place the yellow layer on top and spread with the apricot preserves. If there are large chunks of apricots, remove and chop them up to make them more spreadable. Top with the red layer. Cover with plastic wrap and place a heavy cutting board on top to weight it down. Refrigerate overnight.
  • Place the chocolate chips in a microwaveable bowl and melt in the microwave on low power about 2 minutes. Spread the chocolate on top of the cooled cake and let dry slightly. Trim the rim of the cake with a serrated knife to make clean edges. Cut the cake crosswise into twelve 1-inch-wide strips, then cut lengthwise into 1 1/4-inch strips. The cookies will keep, covered, up to 1 week.

NEAPOLITAN COCONUT STRIPS



Neapolitan Coconut Strips image

Prepare for an unparalleled (and unorthodox) blast of flavors in these stratified little candies. The exquisitely tender treats are emboldened with vanilla, chocolate, and coconut. Get the packaging how-to for the Neapolitan Coconut Strips.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Dessert & Treats Recipes

Yield Makes 160 pieces

Number Of Ingredients 9

12 ounces white chocolate, chopped
1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
1 1/2 ounces (3 tablespoons) unsalted butter
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
1 vanilla bean, split and scraped, pod reserved for another use
4 ounces finely shredded unsweetened coconut (1 1/4 cup)
4 ounces finely shredded sweetened coconut (1 1/3 cup)
1 ounce milk chocolate, melted
1 drop red gel-paste food coloring

Steps:

  • Line an 8-inch square cake pan with plastic wrap, leaving a 2-inch overhang on 2 sides. Combine white chocolate, condensed milk, butter, salt, and vanilla seeds in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring, until smooth. Remove from heat, and stir in both types of coconut.
  • Divide mixture among 3 bowls. Stir milk chocolate into 1 batch and food coloring into another. Leave third plain.
  • Spread milk-chocolate mixture into bottom of pan. Gently dollop plain mixture over top, covering as much surface as possible. Gently spread, then repeat with the remaining mixture. Refrigerate until firm, about 2 hours.
  • Unmold coconut square using plastic overhang, and discard plastic. Trim about 1/4 inch each from 2 parallel sides. Cut crosswise into 1/4-inch-wide slices. Cut each slice into 1 1/2-inch-long strips. Cover, and refrigerate for up to 1 week.

Tips:

  • Prep Your Ingredients: Ensure all your ingredients are measured and prepped before starting. This streamlines the baking process.
  • Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Softened butter and eggs mix more evenly, resulting in a smoother batter.
  • Don't Overmix: Overmixing can toughen the batter, leading to a dense cake. Mix only until the ingredients are combined.
  • Use Cool Pans: Always use cooled pans for baking the layers. Hot pans can cause the batter to overcook or brown unevenly.
  • Don't Crowd the Pans: When baking the layers, ensure there's enough space between them in the oven to allow for even heat circulation.
  • Check for Doneness: Insert a toothpick into the center of each layer; if it comes out clean, the layer is done baking.
  • Let Layers Cool Completely: Before assembling the cake, let the layers cool completely to room temperature. This prevents the frosting from melting.
  • Spread Frosting Evenly: Use an offset spatula to spread the frosting evenly between the layers and on top of the cake. This ensures a smooth, professional-looking finish.
  • Chill Before Serving: Refrigerate the assembled cake for at least 30 minutes before serving. This helps the frosting set and makes it easier to slice.

Conclusion:

With these tips and the detailed instructions provided in the recipe, you'll be able to create a delicious and visually stunning Layered Neapolitan Squares dessert. Remember, baking is a skill that improves with practice, so don't be discouraged if your first attempt isn't perfect. Keep experimenting and learning, and you'll soon be a pro at baking this classic treat. Enjoy the sweet satisfaction of homemade Neapolitan Squares with your loved ones!

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