Kings Autumn Napoleon

There’s something so special about fall desserts, and this King’s Autumn Napoleon might be my favorite of them all. The first time I made it, I couldn’t stop staring at those beautiful, flaky layers. It’s cozy, creamy, and full of autumn flavor.

Each layer is crisp and golden, stacked with silky cream and a hint of spiced sweetness. I love how the textures come together—light, flaky pastry with smooth, rich filling. And honestly, it looks so elegant without being hard to make.

Every bite tastes like fall in dessert form—sweet, buttery, and just a little warm from the spices. It’s perfect for dinner parties or cozy weekends at home. I always get asked for the recipe after serving it.

So grab your pastry sheets and some creamy filling, and let’s make something special. This King’s Autumn Napoleon is easier than it looks and tastes like pure autumn bliss.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Rich Fall Flavors: The cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves combine with creamy pumpkin custard for a perfect autumn treat.
• Crispy & Creamy Layers: Flaky puff pastry pairs beautifully with the smooth, velvety pumpkin custard, while the chopped pecans add a delightful crunch.
• Impressive Presentation: With its stunning layers and dusting of powdered sugar, the Kings Autumn Napoleon is an elegant showstopper.
• Perfect for Fall Gatherings: Whether for Thanksgiving, a family dinner, or a fall festival, this dessert will steal the show.
• Make Ahead Friendly: While it takes some time to assemble, you can prepare most of it ahead of time for convenience.

Required Kitchen Tools

To make this recipe, you’ll need a few basic kitchen tools:

• Baking Sheet with Parchment Paper: For baking the puff pastry sheets without sticking.
• Rolling Pin: To roll out the puff pastry to the desired thickness.
• Medium Saucepan: For cooking the pumpkin custard mixture.
• Whisk: To ensure the custard ingredients are mixed together smoothly and thoroughly.
• Plastic Wrap: To cover and chill the custard for a few hours.
• Serving Platter or Cake Stand: For presenting the Napoleon in all its glory.
• Sharp Knife: For cutting through the puff pastry layers neatly.

Ingredients

Here’s everything you’ll need for the Kings Autumn Napoleon (exact measurements are in the recipe card below):

For the Pumpkin Custard:

• Pumpkin Puree (1 cup): The star ingredient for the creamy custard with that beautiful pumpkin flavor.
• Whole Milk (2 cups): Adds richness to the custard mixture.
• Heavy Cream (1 cup): For a smooth and velvety texture.
• Granulated Sugar (3/4 cup): Adds sweetness to balance the spices.
• Brown Sugar (1/2 cup): Deepens the sweetness with a hint of molasses.
• Cornstarch (1/4 cup): Used as a thickening agent for the custard.
• Egg Yolks (4 large): These provide a rich, custardy texture.
• Vanilla Extract (2 teaspoons): Enhances the flavor and complements the pumpkin.
• Ground Cinnamon (1 teaspoon): Brings that signature fall flavor.
• Ground Nutmeg (1/2 teaspoon): Adds warmth and depth.
• Ground Ginger (1/2 teaspoon): For a bit of spice and complexity.
• Ground Cloves (1/4 teaspoon): A pinch of cloves brings a hint of sweetness and warmth.
• Salt (Pinch): Balances the sweetness and spices.

For Assembling the Napoleon:

• Puff Pastry (1 sheet): The crispy, flaky base for each layer of the Napoleon.
• Chopped Pecans (1/2 cup): For a crunchy contrast to the smooth custard and light pastry.
• Powdered Sugar (for dusting): For a beautiful, snowy finish to the Napoleon.

Variations for Kings Autumn Napoleon

• Add Spice: If you love even more spice, feel free to add a pinch of ground allspice or cardamom to the pumpkin custard mixture.
• Use Different Nuts: Swap pecans for walnuts or almonds for a different flavor and texture.
• Make It Caramelized: Drizzle some caramel sauce over the assembled Napoleon for an extra decadent touch.
• Dairy-Free: Use coconut milk and coconut cream as substitutes for the whole milk and heavy cream to make this dessert dairy-free.
• Chocolate Twist: Add a layer of chocolate ganache between the pastry layers or drizzle on top for a sweet contrast to the pumpkin custard.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the Puff Pastry

The first step in creating your Kings Autumn Napoleon is to get the puff pastry ready. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lay out a baking sheet and line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Roll out your thawed puff pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface. Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut the sheet into three equal rectangular sections. Place the pieces on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they don’t touch.

To achieve an even, golden puffed texture, prick the pastry lightly with a fork. This will help it puff up evenly while baking. Bake for about 15-20 minutes, or until the pastry turns golden brown and puffs up beautifully. Once done, remove from the oven and allow it to cool completely on a wire rack.

2. Make the Pumpkin Custard

While the puff pastry is cooling, let’s move on to the pumpkin custard. In a medium saucepan, combine the whole milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Cook the mixture over medium heat, whisking occasionally until the sugars dissolve and the mixture is hot but not boiling.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and a pinch of salt. Slowly pour about 1/2 cup of the hot milk mixture into the egg mixture while whisking constantly to temper the eggs. Gradually add the tempered egg mixture back into the saucepan with the remaining hot milk mixture.

Continue to cook the mixture over medium heat, whisking constantly, until it thickens and starts to bubble. Once thickened, remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Let the custard cool for about 10 minutes before covering it with plastic wrap (making sure the wrap touches the surface of the custard to prevent a skin from forming) and chilling it in the fridge for at least 2 hours.

3. Assemble the Napoleon

Once both the puff pastry and pumpkin custard are cool, it’s time to assemble the Kings Autumn Napoleon. Place one of the puff pastry layers on a serving platter. Spread a generous amount of pumpkin custard evenly over the top, smoothing it out to the edges.

Sprinkle a handful of chopped pecans over the custard layer for added texture and flavor. Repeat this process with the remaining puff pastry layers, custard, and pecans, making sure to save some pecans for garnish.

Top the final layer of puff pastry with a dusting of powdered sugar to create a beautiful, snowy finish. For an added touch, you can sprinkle a few more pecans on top of the powdered sugar for decoration.

4. Serve and Enjoy

Once the Kings Autumn Napoleon is assembled, it’s time to slice and serve! Use a sharp knife to carefully cut through the layers, ensuring each slice has a beautiful cross-section of pastry, custard, and nuts. Serve it chilled or at room temperature, and enjoy the perfect balance of crunchy, creamy, and spiced flavors.

Storing Kings Autumn Napoleon

• Unassembled Components: If you need to store the components separately, keep the baked puff pastry in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. The chilled pumpkin custard can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• Assembled Napoleon: This dessert is best served fresh, but you can store any leftovers in the fridge for 1-2 days. To keep the layers from becoming soggy, try to store the layers separately and assemble right before serving.
• Freezing: While I don’t recommend freezing the fully assembled Napoleon due to the flaky nature of the pastry, you can freeze the individual puff pastry layers and custard separately. Just be sure to allow the custard to cool completely before freezing.

Nutrition (Per Serving – Approximate)

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	420 kcal
Protein	5 g
Carbohydrates	42 g
Fiber	2 g
Sugars	27 g
Fat	28 g
Saturated Fat	11 g
Cholesterol	105 mg
Sodium	150 mg
Potassium	170 mg
Vitamin A	35% DV
Vitamin C	2% DV
Calcium	4% DV
Iron	6% DV

Conclusion

The Kings Autumn Napoleon is the ultimate dessert for autumn celebrations. With its rich, spiced pumpkin custard, flaky pastry, and crunchy pecans, it’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re hosting a family dinner or impressing guests at a party, this dessert will undoubtedly stand out. Don’t forget to top it with powdered sugar for that perfect finishing touch!