Caramel Apple Napoleons (2024)

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A sweet, fruity take on the flaky dessert, these Caramel Apple Napoleons are bursting with fall flavors! Caramel pudding-based cream and thinly sliced apples, layered between sheets of puff pastry are the fall treat you didn’t know you needed!

Caramel Apple Napoleons (1)

I’m slightly afraid of pastry.

And no, not because it causes my backside to exponentially grow with every bite of its flaky goodness.

I mean, that’s a whole other fear, but whatever.

Pastry dough has always been intimidating to me. I’ve worked with it at my job, and I’ve made it at home (laminating dough is definitely a vacation project), but it’s versatility overwhelms me.

No worries – I won’t ask you to spend two days rolling butter into dough for these incredibleCaramel Apple Napoleons, since I took the easy road. Trusty, frozen pastry sheets have never done me wrong, and they work beautifully in this recipe.

(And no one has to know how you cheated!)

JUST TAKE ME TO THE CARAMEL APPLE NAPOLEONS ALREADY!

If you’d rather skip my (pretty darn helpful) tips and tricks, essential cooking info, and similar recipe ideas – and get straight to this deliciously easy apple napoleon recipe, just scroll right on down to the bottom of the page where you can find the printable recipe card!

Caramel Apple Napoleons (2)

Fall is officially here, guys, and you have no idea how very happy that makes me!!!

OK, you might have a bit of a clue. It’s not like I haven’t expressed myself on the issue in the past.

All those pumpkin spice coffees and pumpkin beers and spiced desserts I’ve been (creating and) consuming for the past few weeks…they’re finally socially acceptable!

I’m not really sure when I decided that I was in love with autumn. Living in Florida, we never actually get most of the classic fall benefits – leaves changing and falling, warm nights turning cooler by the day, the ability to wear boots and sweaters before late November.

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We just get all the damn migrating birds who like to crap on my car, instead.

Though I’m a native of the South, my family hails from upstate New York, so I suppose it’s just programmed in my genes. I’ve always felt like I was living in the wrong place, but it’s really hard convincing Mr. Crumby (who loves cold!) that we should move to a place where the humidity doesn’t melt your face off.

Until that day comes, I’ll have to settle for cranking down the AC, scattering decorative gourds everywhere, and making the house smell like all things brown sugar and spice.

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This week, my friends at #SundaySupper were challenged to share their favorite fall flavors, and by the looks of the list of recipes, I’m not the only one who loves the taste of cooler weather food. We came out in force, making everything from sweet potato breakfast treats to savory apple proteins to (my favorite) pumpkin-packed sweets.

I chose to use apples in my recipe today, only because I’ll be overloading you with pumpkin things all week, starting Monday.

Brace yourselves.

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I don’t know whether to apologize, or say you’re welcome.

These Napoleons are a first for me in the kitchen. I’ve made the classic version at work multiple times, but never attempted them at home. Turns out they’re unbelievably simple, and the flavors are totally rewarding considering the little amount of work that’s put into them.

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The most labor-intensive part is the homemade caramel pudding that becomes the filling, and even that is easy – it just takes a bit of patience.

The irony in my making this dessert is that…I’m not even a fan of caramel apples, aside from their stunning look. Too much jaw work for the same result as dipping slices in caramel sauce.

I’d much rather enjoy one of these lovely Napoleons.

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Love these Caramel Apple Napoleons? Check out these other puff pastry desserts!

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Caramel Apple Napoleons

A sweet, fruity take on the flaky dessert, these Caramel Apple Napoleons are bursting with fall flavors! Caramel pudding-based cream and thinly sliced apples, layered between sheets of puff pastry are the fall treat you didn't know you needed!

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Course: Dessert

Cuisine: French

Keyword: caramel apple napoleons

Prep Time: 1 hour hour

Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour 25 minutes minutes

Servings: 9 pastries

Calories: 338kcal

Author: Erica

Ingredients

  • 1 sheet frozen puff pastry
  • ½ Granny Smith apple thinly sliced
  • ½ Honeycrisp apple thinly sliced
  • 1 cup caramel pudding
  • ½ cup heavy whipping cream
  • Caramel sauce for garnish
  • Powdered sugar for garnish

Caramel Pudding

  • 2 cups milk divided
  • 3 ½ tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 3 tablespoons water

Instructions

  • Allow the sheet of pastry to thaw at room temperature for 10-15 minutes.

  • Preheat your oven to 400°F. Unfold the pastry sheet on to a lightly floured parchment. Cut the sheet into strips following the two folds, then each strip into thirds. Set them on a baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes, until golden brown. Remove to cooling rack for 10 minutes, then split each in half. Set aside.

Caramel Pudding

  • While pastries are baking, make the pudding. Whisk ¼ cup of milk with the cornstarch, vanilla, and salt until smooth. Set aside.

  • Bring sugar and water to a boil in a medium saucepan, then reduce to medium heat. Allow to cook undisturbed for 7-8 minutes until amber in color.

  • Remove from heat and slowly whisk in remaining milk, ¼ cup at a time. Some of the caramel may clump as you do this - that's OK.

  • Return saucepan to heat, whisking to dissolve the caramel clumps, then allow to simmer for about 10 minutes until the mixture darkens and thickens.

  • Gradually whisk in cornstarch mix, and continue to whisk over medium heat until it thickens to pudding-like consistency.

  • Strain through a fine mesh strainer, and refrigerate for 30-60 minutes.

  • When ready to assemble, whip heavy whipping cream to medium peaks, then fold into pudding. Spoon into a pastry bag.

Assembly

  • Pipe 9 dollops of caramel cream on the bottom half of the pastry, then drizzle with caramel sauce. Place 2-3 apple slices on top, drizzle with more caramel sauce, then pipe 9 more caramel cream dollops.

  • Drizzle once again with caramel sauce, and set the top half of the pastry on. Sprinkle lightly with powdered sugar, drizzle again with caramel sauce, and garnish with slices of apple.

  • Repeat with each pastry, serve, and enjoy the fall flavors!

Nutrition

Calories: 338kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 23mg | Sodium: 97mg | Potassium: 119mg | Sugar: 27g | Vitamin A: 280IU | Vitamin C: 0.9mg | Calcium: 73mg | Iron: 0.7mg

Did You Make This Recipe?Snap a pic, post it, and mention @CrumbyKitchen or tag #crumbykitchen for some Instagram love!

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Check out A Guide to Apples plus Best Fall Recipes Ideas for #SundaySupper and this week’s recipe collection:

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Caramel Apple Napoleons (10)

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Caramel Apple Napoleons (2024)
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