Easy, No Bake Strawberry Napoleon

The other night I was watching television and a food commercial reminded me of a French Bakery where I really enjoy eating. Of course I was thinking about the flakey, creamy and decadent Strawberry Napoleon. My mind began to plot and plan on how I could make one.

Sadly, to make a true French Strawberry Napoleon is rather complicated and requires a huge amount of effort and time. It is made with layers of airy-flakey cookies, light Bavarian cream, fresh strawberries, and finally a solid sugary topping...AHH! Who has the time? As well, who has all those fancy ingredients?

Okay, let me get creative...hmm...Got it! I rummaged in my pantry looking for something to use as a light and flat cookie. I found a box of graham crackers. Next, I had whipping cream in the fridge left over from a previous recipe, strawberry jam, (Who doesn't have some sort of fruit jam or preserves in their fridge?), and some fresh strawberries. I literally whipped this up in a mere 5 minutes. I was really pleased with the outcome.  I had just made an easy, no bake, poor man's, strawberry Napoleon. Let me say, it was not a French masterpiece, but it was surprisingly good! Really good!

Ingredients for 1 Strawberry Napoleon:

• 3 graham cracker squares
• 1/4 cup fresh heavy whipping cream (*Substitution: plain or strawberry yogurt)
• 1 teaspoon of powdered sugar
• 3 fresh strawberries - rinse and pat dry with paper towel
• 3 teaspoons of strawberry jam

Directions:

1. In a medium mixing bowl, add the 1/4 cup whipping cream and single teaspoon of powdered sugar. 
2. Using a whisk, stir rapidly until stiff; similar to store bought fake topping. (If you have a hand mixer or stand mixer - use it with the wire whisk attachment).
   NOTE: Canned whipped cream can be used or pre-made fake non-dairy topping. OR you could use yogurt - plain, vanilla or strawberry).
3. Cut off the stems of the three strawberries and slice each of them into 3 or 4 thin slices.
4. On a dessert plate, place one graham cracker square.
5. Spread 1 teaspoon of strawberry jam on the graham cracker.
6. Arrange the slices of one strawberry on top of the jam and graham cracker.
7. Spoon on a dollop of whipped cream and top with another cracker.
8. Press down gently.
9. Repeat steps 4 through 8. Do this two more times with the last step of using the remaining whipped cream for the top.

NOTE: these cannot be made ahead of time because the crackers will get soggy and the cream will get runny. They must be made to eat immediately.

Eat with pleasure!