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Meringue Napoleon Cake is the perfect dessert for your next special occasion or celebration. This decadent, Eastern European cake will have your guests drooling! 

Slice of Meringue Napoleon Cake

Meringue Napoleon Cake consists of three layers: crispy cake, meringue and dulce de leche cream! Oh, and did I forget to mention the added crunchiness from toasted walnuts? That’s right, this cake isn’t skimping on flavor! 

Despite its extravagant look, this cake is actually not that difficult to make. All it requires is a bit of time and patience. Other than that, you will look like an expert pastry chef to your friends and family! 

Napoleon Cake

Napoleon Cake has become a beloved dessert in Russia. Often served during New Years, this treat is an every once-and-awhile dessert. But, where did it come from? The Napoleon cake as we know it today was inspired by the French cake “mille-feuille”. The first version of this cake was created in 1912 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the defeat of Napoleon and his troops. 

Since then, the cake has underwent many changes and iterations. Including this one! I put a spin on the classic recipe by adding chopped nuts to the layers and a tangy meringue. Like with most revered treats, you will see chefs taking liberties with the recipes and making them their own. I’m excited to share my creation with you! 

What is Napoleon Cake Made of?

So how does this layered cake actually come together? Well, first you are going to make your cake flour. The dough is infused with sour cream and rolled out thin. The kicker? You will top each cake layer with meringue and nuts before baking them in the oven! After your cake layers cool, you will spread your dulce de leche cream between each one, giving the cake a sort of “glue” to keep together. The final step is frosting the entire outside of the cake, decorating it with nuts and allowing it to set in the refrigerator overnight. 

rolled out cake laters

Tips for Making Meringue Napoleon Cake 

Making Napoleon Meringue Cake may seem like a challenge, but trust me, if you follow all the steps you will be sitting pretty (and your cake will be too!). 

Use Room Temperature Butter

Using room temperature butter is the way to go. It is the easiest to incorporate and makes for the most even of baking for your cake layers. 

Save Some Time

While you have a batch of cake layers baking, roll out the next and get it prepped. It will save you time when baking several layers for this cake. 

Allow Cake Layers to Cool Completely

Before you attempt to frost or stack your layers, make sure that they are completely cooled. This will prevent sticking and melting, which can ruin all the hard work you have done to make this delicate cake! 

Make Napoleon Cake Layers In Advance 

If you want to save some time, feel free to make your cake layers in advance. Make sure to store them in an airtight container in the fridge. They will last 2-3 days before you need to assemble and frost them. 

Make Napoleon Cake in Advance

This cake must have at least 24 hours to set in the fridge before serving. However, you can make it 2-3 days in advance and still preserve the flavor. Remember, the longer it sets, the better it keeps its shape and tastes! 

Meringue Napoleon Cake

Storing Napoleon Cake 

Keeping Unrefrigerated Napoleon Cake

Only allow the cake to sit at room temperature for 1 hour before serving. This will allow the cream to soften. If you allow it to sit out any longer, it will melt and become flimsy. 

Refrigerate Napoleon

Keep Napoleon Cake refrigerated for up to 2-3 days before serving. Make sure its sealed it an airtight container so it doesn’t absorb the smells and flavors of other foods in your refrigerator. 

Cake Recipes to Try:

Recipe

Meringue Napoleon Cake

Meringue Napoleon Cake

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Servings
14 servings
Prep Time 40 mins
Cook Time 45 mins
Total Time 1 hr 40 mins
Meringue Napoleon Cake is the perfect dessert for your next special occasion or celebration. This decadent, Eastern European cake will have your guests drooling!

Ingredients

Meringue Napoleon Cake Layers

Meringue Napoleon Cake Cream

  • 28 oz Dulce De Leche
  • 1 lb room temperature butter
  • 2 cup toasted walnuts crushed
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream very cold
US Units – Metric

Instructions

Napoleon Cake Layers

  • Into a large bowl, place flour, butter and margarine. Using your hands or a butter cutter, mix everything together, until the mixture resemblance small crumbles.
    Cake dough in a bowl
  • Mix in sour cream, baking soda and egg yolks. Mix until the dough is just combined, do not over mix.
    Cake dough all together
  • Whip egg whites together with sugar, until the texture is thickened.
    egg whites with sugar in a mixing bowl
  • Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces.
    cake dough pieces
  • Roll the pieces into thin layers. Using a shape of your choice (I used a lid from a pot) cut through the dough. Apply 1/4 of an inch of meringue and sprinkle with nuts.
    cake layers with meringue
  • Bake at 350 °F for about 10 minutes or until golden brown.
    Baked cake layers

Cream for Napoleon

  • For the cream, whip cold heavy whipping cream until it creates soft peaks. 
    Heavy whipped cream being whipped in a mixer
  • Using a separate dish, whip room temperature butter together with dulce de leche.
    butter and dulce de leche
  • Using a spatula, fold in whipping cream with the butter cream.
    Whipping cream being folded in with butter cream with a spatula

Finalizing Napoleopn Cake

  • To form the cake, apply small amount of cream to the plate and put a first layer on it, you don’t want for the cake to slide around. Apply cream in between each layer, flat sides are easier to apply cream to.
    cake layer on a plate
  • Once finished with the last layer, place meringue on the inside. 
    Napoleon cake on a tray
  • Using your fingers, slightly press on the cake. Apply the rest of the cream to the outside.
    Meringue Napoleon Cake
Nutrition Facts
Meringue Napoleon Cake
Amount Per Serving
Calories 786 Calories from Fat 567
% Daily Value*
Fat 63g97%
Saturated Fat 30g150%
Cholesterol 159mg53%
Sodium 520mg22%
Potassium 159mg5%
Carbohydrates 52g17%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 29g32%
Protein 8g16%
Vitamin A 1782IU36%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 54mg5%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Posted December 13, 2019

About Author

Natalya Drozhzhin

Natalya founded Momsdish to demonstrate that placing a homemade meal on the table is not hard at all. Natalya makes cooking easier and approachable, by simplifying the ingredients, while still producing the same great taste.