A thousand leaves — also known as Napoleon — is a quick-to-make sweet treat to serve with coffee or after dinner. It is based on a recipe from Penguin Cordon Bleu Cookery and although their recipe uses a block of puff pastry I have chosen ready-rolled pastry sheets.
2 sheets flaky puff pastry
3/4 cup cream, whipped
3-4 tablespoons good raspberry jam
Glace icing: 3/4 cup icing sugar
1-2 tablespoons hot water
Preheat the oven to 200°C
Brush a large baking tray or 2 smaller trays with water. Place the pastry sheets on top. Prick the pastry with a fork. Bake for about 8-10 minutes, until crisp and golden.
Remove from the oven and trim the edges. Reserve the offcuts for the garnish.
Cut each sheet of pastry into 4 even strips. Turn each strip upside down on the baking tray. Return to the oven for 2-3 minutes. Cool.
Place 2 pastry strips on a board side by side. Spread with whipped cream. Top each with another pastry strip and spread with jam. Top with another pastry strip and spread with more cream Top with the final pastry layer.
Combine the icing sugar with enough water to make a spreadable icing. Cover the top pastry strip with the icing. Decorate the top with the reserved crushed trimmings. Serves 4-6.