Chocolate Cherry Valentine Napoleons Recipes

FRENCH NAPOLEONS

Steps:

• On a lightly floured surface, roll out each pastry sheet to 1/8-inch thickness.
• Using a shaped cookie cutter of your choice (I prefer hearts), cut out 9 Napoleons per sheet.
• Place on ungreased baking sheets.
• (If your dough has become too warm, place in refrigerator to chill. The pastry will not "puff" well if warm.).
• Bake at 400º for 8-11 minutes or until golden brown.
• Remove to wire racks to cool.
• In a bowl, whisk milk and pudding mix for 2 minutes. Fold in Cool Whip.
• Split puff pastry shapes in half.
• Place bottom halves on serving plates.
• Spoon filling over each; top with strawberries. I make the points of the slices stick out over the edges.
• Top with pastry tops. (Add just a dab of filling on top of strawberries so the pastry top will stick.).
• Sprinkle with powdered sugar.
• Serve immediately.

CHOCOLATE-CHERRY VALENTINE SCONES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400°F.
• In large bowl, stir together flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder and salt. Using pastry blender (or pulling 2 table knives through mixture in opposite directions), cut in butter until mixture looks like fine crumbs. Stir in cherries until coated with flour mixture. Stir in whipping cream, vanilla and egg just until liquid is absorbed into flour mixture.
• Turn mixture out onto clean work surface; lightly knead 10 to 15 times or just until a dough forms. Using floured rolling pin or patting out with hands, roll dough into thick 15x2 1/2-inch rectangle.
• With 2 1/2-inch heart-shaped cookie cutter, cut 7 scones by placing cookie cutter in opposite directions directly on cut edge of previous heart. Place dough hearts about 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Reroll dough scraps into 5x2 1/2-inch rectangle. Cut 2 additional heart shapes from remaining dough; place on cookie sheet.
• Bake 10 to 12 minutes or just until edges are set. Immediately remove from cookie sheet to cooling rack.
• In small resealable freezer plastic bag, place baking chips; seal bag. In another small resealable plastic bag, place red candy melts; seal bag. Microwave both filled bags on High 2 to 3 minutes, kneading bags twice, until chips and candy melts are melted. Cut off tiny bottom corner of each bag. Immediately squeeze bag with melted candy melts to drizzle melted candy over scones. Repeat with bag of melted baking chips. Let stand 10 minutes; serve warm.

CHOCOLATE NAPOLEONS WITH MASCARPONE CREAM AND CHERRY COMPOTE

Steps:

• Make chocolate layers:
• Place baking sheet, bottom side up, on work surface. Cover bottom side with foil, tucking ends under. Mark 15 x 9-inch rectangle on foil. Place chocolate in top of double boiler set over barely simmering water (do not allow bottom of pan to touch water); stir until melted and smooth. Pour onto foil; spread to cover rectangle. Chill until just set but not hard, about 8 minutes.
• Cut chocolate rectangle lengthwise into three 3-inch-wide strips. Cut strips crosswise into six 2 1/2-inch-long pieces. Chill 1 hour. (Can be made 1 week ahead. Cover; keep refrigerated.)
• Make mascarpone cream:
• Using electric mixer, beat first 4 ingredients in medium bowl to blend. Add 1/2 cup cream; beat until soft peaks form. Add 1/2 cup cream; beat until thick and stiff. Cover; chill at least 1 hour and up to 3 hours.
• Place 1 chocolate piece on each of 6 plates. Spread 3 tablespoons mascarpone over each. Top with another chocolate piece; spread mascarpone over. Top with third chocolate piece. (Can be made 6 hours ahead. Cover; chill.) Dust with powdered sugar. Spoon compote alongside.

CHOCOLATE-BERRY NAPOLEONS

Steps:

• Roll out 1 puff pastry sheet into a 10-inch square; cut into 2 1/2-by-5-inch rectangles (8 total). Sandwich between 2 unlined rimmed baking sheets and bake at 400 degrees F until golden, 30 minutes. Brush with melted butter and sprinkle with granulated sugar. Cool. Cook 1/3 cup milk, 2 tablespoons sugar and 1 tablespoon cornstarch in a small skillet over medium heat, whisking, until thick. Stir in 2 ounces chopped semisweet chocolate; cool. Fold in 1 1/2 cups whipped cream. To assemble, layer 2 pastry rectangles with the chocolate cream and raspberries. Dust with confectioners' sugar.