Strawberry-Almond Cream Napoleons

== Description ==
Makes 6 servings. 
== Ingredients ==
* 1 sheet (half of 17-ounce package) frozen puff pastry
* 1 package (3.4 ounces) instant vanilla pudding mix
* 1 cup skim milk
* 1 teaspoon almond extract
* 1 cup light whipped topping
* 2 cups stemmed and sliced California strawberries
* ⅓ cup sliced almonds, toasted
* powdered sugar, for garnish
=== Strawberry sauce ===
* 1 pint basket California strawberries
* 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
* 1 teaspoon lemon juice
== Directions ==
# Heat oven to 400°F.
# Thaw folded pastry sheet 20 minutes.
# Open sheet and cut along folds to make three equal strips; halve each strip to make six rectangles.
# Space apart on baking sheet.
# Bake in center of oven about 15 minutes until well browned and baked through.
# Remove to rack to cool.
# Meanwhile, in bowl, whisk pudding mix, milk and extract 2 minutes; fold in whipped topping to blend thoroughly.
# Cover and refrigerate.
# Carefully split each piece of pastry in half horizontally.
# Cover bottom halves with almonds, then pudding mixture and sliced strawberries, dividing equally.
# Cover with pastry tops.
# Dust with powdered sugar.
# Serve with strawberry sauce (recipe follows), if desired. 
=== Strawberry sauce ===
# Stem and halve the strawberries and purée in blender container with granulated sugar and lemon juice until smooth.
# To serve, divide sauce among 6 plates; top each with napoleon.
# Note: all components of this dessert can be prepared several hours in advance.
# Cover and refrigerate pudding mixture, strawberries and sauce.
# Assemble just before serving.
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Category:Pastry Recipes