The deliciousness I am about to tell you about goes waaaaaaaay beyond that sumptuous and magically easy Russian Napoleon Cake in the picture up there. As if a glorious cake that can be made with only four ingredients…frosting and all!…isn’t scrumptious enough, I have three copies of and absolutely captivating and exotic new novel to give away. Signed by the author no less! If there is anything better than a combination of creamy, flaky Russian Napoleon Cake and an exquisitely written, wildly romantic, edge of your seat book to read, I don’t know what it is. So let’s make it and let’s read it!
Just four ingredients go into this magically easy recipe for sumptuously delicious Russian Napoleon Cake!Click To TweetFirst the book, because oh, this BOOK. Set in an alternate version of St. Petersburg that is terrible and magical all at the same time, THE CROWN’S GAME tells the story of Vika, who can turn ashes into gold and Nikolai who can see through walls. They are Enchanters who are pitted against each other in a fight to the death…the Crown’s Game…in order to win the position of Imperial Enchanter to the tsar. And you know they are going to fall for each other, right? And you know the heir to the Russian throne, who is Nikolai’s best friend is also going to fall for Vika, right? I double dare you to put this one down once you pick it up. It’s like the Night Circus moved to imperial Russia and had a baby with The Hunger Games. IT’S ADDICTIVE.
It’s also Evelyn Skye’s first book, and she is as nice as she is brilliant, and she signed three copies for me to give away, so more at the bottom of this post on how you can scoop one of them up.
Just be forewarned that you are going to need to clear your calendar once you read the first page, because ADDICTIVE. (Isn’t that the best feeling when you find a book that makes you feel that way?) And speaking of addictive…
In honor of completely delicious and spellbindingly magical books set in Russia, here is a completely delicious and spellbindingly magical Russian cake. Delicious because it is a concoction of delicate and flaky puff pastry held together with mounds of rich vanilla cream. Magical because it takes only four ingredients and 30 minutes to make. Yep. Cake in 30 minutes. I told you it was magical!
You need a box of puff pastry, which you can find in the freezer section of your supermarket, usually where all the desserts are. It comes in boxes of two square sheets. Let it thaw, and then cut both squares in half so that you have two rectangles. Pop them into the oven and bake them until they are nice and golden. They are going to puff up while they bake (puff pastry!), but they will settle down a little as they cool, and you will also press them down a teeny bit so that you have four pastry layers that are about 1/2 inch thick.
While the pastry is cooling you can make the sinfully decadent pastry cream, which is 2 sticks of butter whipped with a can of sweetened condensed milk and a teaspoon of vanilla. So. Good. Once the pastry has cooled down enough to handle, spread the first rectangle with a quarter of the cream. Place the second rectangle on top and repeat. The top gets frosted with the remaining quarter of the cream. Don’t worry that the pastry is going to be a little crumbly – I like to sprinkle those crumbs on the top of the cake so I don’t miss a single morsel. And that, my friends, is magically that. Cake done!
Now as for the giveaway, all you need to do is leave me a comment below telling me what your current can’t-put-it-down book is, and I will randomly pick three lucky winners next weekend to get a signed copy of THE CROWN’S GAME. This way we all win, because in addition to those three lucky ducks, all of us will have a fabulous list of must-read books too!
And in the meantime…Russian Napoleon Cake. So much yes.
This giveaway is now closed…but you can still make Russian Napoleon Cake!
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Russian Napoleon Cake…and a Magical Giveaway!
Yield: 6-8
Print Recipe
Pin RecipeIngredients
- 2 sheets puff pastry, thawed
- One fourteen ounce can condensed milk
- 1 cup butter (two sticks), room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 and line a baking sheet with silicone mats or parchment paper.
- Cut each puff pastry square in half so that you have four rectangles and place the rectangles on the baking sheet. Bake until golden, about 15 minutes.
- Let the pastry cool, pressing down gently after about 5 minutes so that the pastry pieces are about 1/2 inch thick.
- Make the pastry cream: put the condensed milk, butter and vanilla in a mixer fitted with a whisk attachment and beat on high for 5 minutes.
- Place the first rectangle of puff pastry on a serving platter and spread with a quarter of the pastry cream. Repeat with the second, third and fourth rectangles, ending by spreading the last of the pastry cream on the top. You don’t frost the sides.
- If you like, scatter any crumbs from the pastry on the top of the cake. Enjoy!
I love Napoleon cakes! Yummy!
Currently reading Under the Dome by Stephen King. My sister recommended it but I was hesitant to start it because it’s over 1,000 pages. So glad I did though because it is intriguing as heck. Halfway through the book and looking forward to finishing it this weekend!
Mexican. Today. By. Pati. Jinich excellent. Recipes.
Mmmmm the cake looks delicious! My current can’t put it down book is Sarah J. Maas’s A Court of Mist and Fury. I read it and had to reread it right away cause it’s that good!
Sounds delicious! My current read is Illuminae, which I should NOT have started because exams are coming and all I want to do is read it!
My current (or rather very recent, since I just finished it) can’t-put-down series is Artemis Fowl. I didn’t like the end, but up until then it kept me engaged the whole time.
I just started “The Two Family House,” and it’s really great so far! I’ve never heard of a Napoleon cake, but it’s looks delicious.
That cake looks so good! I am reading All The Light We Cannot See. Really riveting book.
Can’t go wrong with puff pastry and cream filling! Kind of like a cream horn, only flatter. 🙂 I just finished “The Root of The Tudor Rose”, so need something new to start on, wink, wink!
What a gorgeous cake! Love the ease of this!
My husband is a huge fan of books in that genre, so I’m going to pick one up for him!
And this cake…go no farther than “puff pastry.” It’s the best!
I’m currently re-reading the Protector of the Small series by Tamora Pierce. Trying to decide if it’s time to pass the books onto my niece.
The recipe sounds wonderful, adding it to my pile to try later this year.
Just love you and your posts about my favorite things…food, books & travel!
I’m in my mid 60’s and You know, I have never had a Napoleon Cake but this loo so delicious that I’m just going have to take the time to make it.
My favorite read…….Any Good Cookbook. Really. It really is
Thank you for this giveaway opportunity and that delicious looking recipe.
Four ingredients and I get this deliciousness? Oh, yes please 🙂 Those are the best recipes, aren’t they? And, I love books like that…the ones were you just can’t put down they are that good. Pinning, of course! Thanks for sharing, Kate 🙂
My current can’t put it down read is “Mary” – about Mary Todd Lincoln – amazing.
I do not bake! but even I would be tempted to make this wonderful recipe – but for sure I can get my 15 year old g’daughter to make it!!
I’m reading Swine Not, by Jimmy Buffett
That looks amazing! Right now I’m reading The Girl in the Red Coat and it’s amazing!
Currently reading and loving “The Girl on the Train”.
I am all for a great read, so I will definitely have to check out that book! I love a good page turner! And I LOVE LOVE LOVE a seriously scrumptious, easy dessert! This Russian napoleon cake looks amazing, Kate!! I seriously can’t believe this beauty is only 4 ingredients – how awesome is that!? Plus is uses puff pastry, one of my all time favorite things ever. This dessert is screaming my name dear! Cheers! xoxo
I just finished “All the Light We Cannot See.” Amazing…just like this cake!
It looks like your Russian Napoleon Cake is a winner, so I’m going to make it for my next dessert! And speaking about winners, I’ve just finished reading Eric Blehm’s : “Fearless: The undaunted Courage and Ultimate Sacrifice of Navy SEAL Team SIX Operator Adam Brown.” … if you want to know what a hero looks like, this book is for you.
“Meathead, the science of…”
Cake looks great. I will make and probably tumble a few Oregon strawberries around it. The book is ‘The Life We Bury’ by Allan Eskens.
My current book is Graceling by Kristin Chashore, it is extraordinary and wonderful and It brought me so much joy!!!!
I loved Graceling!!!!
Night Circus + Hunger Games had a baby? Time to throw the biggest, most exciting baby shower ever! Okay, wait… this all sounds weird now. Lol. Seriously though, let me get my hands on this book, a gigantor plate of this Russian napoleon cake and a glass of anything. Perfect day right there. 🙂 Thanks for sharing this Kate! Have a great weekend! Pinning. 🙂 P.S. Current read I can’t put down: Red Rising!
I enjoy getting on pinterq of the 8 specialists.. me and my 3 young teenagers are addicted to looking for new recipes to try. We are definitely addicted to recipes. Hopefully some day we can have our own family resteraunt when we’re rich lol right now that is far away Cuz I suffer with alot of chronic debilitating health problems and can only afford 1 of the 8 specialists that I’m supposed to see because we have no insurance so times are really tough and scary. So to take my kids minds off of what’s happening we enjoy cooking and watching movies after so I can rest and cuddle. So cooking is definitely great for our soul.
Thanks for ur time and hope to try more of ur recipes. Big hugs from the 4 of us.
I enjoy getting on pinterest of the 8 specialists.. me and my 3 young teenagers are addicted to looking for new recipes to try. We are definitely addicted to recipes. Hopefully some day we can have our own family resteraunt when we’re rich lol right now that is far away Cuz I suffer with alot of chronic debilitating health problems and can only afford 1 of the 8 specialists that I’m supposed to see because we have no insurance so times are really tough and scary. So to take my kids minds off of what’s happening we enjoy cooking and watching movies after so I can rest and cuddle. So cooking is definitely great for our soul.
Thanks for ur time and hope to try more of ur recipes. Big hugs from the 4 of us.
I’m reading 15th Affair by James Patterson. This cake looks amazing
Oh my God, I love that cake! I have to make it myself!
I am currently reading Salt to the Sea by Ruts Sepetys. Talk about can’t put down! It beautifully written! I love it.
I love how easy and sinfully decadent that cake looks! I’m definitely going to have to give it a go! And speaking of addictive, I’m currently rereading Little Women, an old old favourite of mine that I’m thrilled to rediscover. But I’d be even more thrilled to get my hands on this book, I’ve been lusting after it for quite some time now! Thanks for the opportunity to enter your giveaway!
I can’t put down The Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas! 😍
In love with Carry On by Rainbow Rowell! An absolutely wonderful book.
SIX OF CROWS! by Leigh Bardugo!! I read it in April and still never got over it 🙂 I read it so many times since then…If you haven’t read it yet, you are missing out!
I’m reading Leigh Bardugo’s Siege and Storm.
This looks delicious!
I am currently reading The Rose Society by Marie Lu and it is amazing!
The cake looks delicious! I’ll have to try it some time. I just finished rereading ACOTAR in preparation for ACOMAF. So good! Thanks for the chance, TCG was one of my most highly anticipated reads of 2016!
This looks so good & so easy!! I just finished The Wrath & the Dawn 🙂 Such a good book!!
this is a very interesting recipe, mostly because there are so few ingredients yet the end result is mouthwatering. puff pastry is a gift from heaven!
Isn’t puff pastry the best?