Triple Berry Napoleons

Flaky strips of crisp phyllo dough are layered with a lightened cream cheese filling and naturally sweet fresh berries. Simply elegant and outrageously delicious!

May 28, 2024

Today’s recipe is a healthy twist on the classic French Napoleon dessert that combines layers of buttery puff pastry and rich pastry cream, topped with a powdered sugar icing swirled with melted chocolate. My lightened version of this dessert features layers of crispy, flaky phyllo dough; topped with a velvety, slightly sweet cream cheese filling; and gorgeous fresh blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries.

For years, this trio of berries has been attracting attention for their potential role in chronic disease prevention. Rich in vitamin C, folate, potassium, and fiber, these berries also provide an abundance of phytochemicals. Also referred to as phytonutrients, phytochemicals are protective, naturally occurring compounds found in plant foods, like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Their job is to strengthen a plant’s immune system, helping the plant guard against destructive invaders (insects), disease, and excessive sun exposure. When eaten, these same phytochemicals may protect our bodies from damage that could lead to chronic diseases, such as cancer and heart disease.

One phytochemical found in all three of these delicious berries is called anthocyanin (an-tho-SY-a-nin). Anthocyanins are plant pigments that give fruits and vegetables their vibrant red, blue, and purple hues. From a health perspective, this phytochemical may help dilate arteries, make blood vessels more elastic, help lower blood pressure, and reduce inflammation. Beyond these three berries, anthocyanin-containing produce includes cherries, red and black grapes, cranberries, plums, blackberries, red cabbage, radishes, and eggplants.

When selecting the berries for this dessert recipe, look for bright, uniformly colored, plump berries that are dry, firm, and well-shaped. Avoid containers of berries with juice stains, which indicate they may be crushed or moldy. Don’t forget to check the bottom of the container for signs of spoilage, and do not wash them until ready to use. Berries are highly perishable, so store them in the refrigerator immediately and eat within two to three days.

To your health,

Darlene

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TRIPLE BERRY NAPOLEONS

Yield: 8 servings

Serving Size: 1 napoleon

Prep: 20 minutes

Ready: 30 minutes

INGREDIENTS

Parchment paper or vegetable oil cooking spray
2 tablespoons spreadable butter and oil blend (such as Challenge Spreadable Butter), melted
5 sheets (9-by-14-inch) frozen phyllo dough, thawed (such as Athens Phyllo^® Dough)
1/2 cup (4 ounces) reduced-fat cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup powdered sugar
3/4 cup plain low-fat Greek yogurt (such as FAGE Total 2%)
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup to 2/3 cup fresh blueberries
1/2 cup to 2/3 cup fresh diced strawberries
1/2 cup to 2/3 cup fresh raspberries
2 tablespoons powdered sugar, optional garnish

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or coat with cooking spray.
To assemble phyllo dough layers, place melted butter and oil blend in a small bowl. Unroll thawed phyllo onto a clean work surface and cover dough with plastic wrap. Place a slightly damp towel over plastic wrap. Working quickly, uncover dough, remove 1 phyllo sheet from the stack and place sheet on a cutting board. Immediately cover remainder of dough with plastic wrap and damp towel. Lightly brush phyllo sheet with melted butter and oil blend. Place a second sheet of phyllo directly on top of first sheet and lightly brush with melted butter and oil blend. Repeat this process 3 additional times, resulting in a stack of 5 phyllo sheets.
Single sheet of phyllo dough lightly brushed with melted butter and oil blend
Five sheets of buttered phyllo dough stacked on top of each other.
Cut the stack of phyllo in half lengthwise; then cut the stack crosswise into 8 strips, forming 16 rectangular pieces. Place pieces on prepared baking sheet and bake 5 to 7 minutes or until golden brown.
Stacked phyllo dough cut into 16 rectangular pieces.
Stacked phyllo pieces on a parchment-lined baking sheet ready for the oven.
Baked phyllo dough pieces.
To prepare cream cheese filling, in a large bowl using an electric hand mixer, cream together cream cheese and powdered sugar (3/4 cup). Add yogurt, lemon zest, and vanilla and blend until smooth. Cover and refrigerate until ready to assemble dessert.
To assemble napoleons, place 1 baked phyllo stack on serving plate. Spread top of phyllo with 1 heaping tablespoon of cream cheese filling and 1 to 2 tablespoons berries (blueberries, diced strawberries, and raspberries). Repeat procedure ending with berries on top. Dust top of dessert with powdered sugar if desired and serve.

Nutrition Information per Serving

164 Calories, 6 g Total fat, 3 g Saturated fat, 0 g Trans fat, 16 mg Cholesterol, 121 mg Sodium, 23 g Total carbohydrate, 1 g Dietary fiber, 14.5 g Total sugars, 11 g Added sugars, 4 g Protein, 0 mcg (0%) Vitamin D, 44 mg (4%) Calcium, 0 mg (0%) Iron, 55 mg (2%) Potassium