This “no bake” dessert is creamy, sweet and luscious with layers of custard, crisp Ducale’s, vanilla and lemon zest. This no oven casserole dessert is the ultimate holiday, party and potluck dessert. You only need one medium pot or large pot depending on how much you want to make and a large casserole dish. Heads up you can make this 2-3 days ahead of time and leave it the fridge and forget about it; enjoy the party or gathering without worrying about the dessert. Thank you to Aunty Ivett for letting me share this recipe, little background this was also her childhood favorite so let’s just say this Napoleon has been in the family for years!

Happy Holidays Friends

SERVES 8 - 10

INGREDIENTS

3 Cups of whole milk

1 [14 oz.] Can of sweetened condensed milk [I prefer the brand Nestle or Magnolia]

2 Cans of Nestle Media Crema “Table Cream” [ 7.6 oz.]

1 Tablespoon of vanilla extract

1 Tablespoon of lemon zest

1 Pack of “Ducales Crackers” [10.4 oz.]

Cocoa Powder [for décor/dusting]

THICKENER

6 Tablespoons of cornstarch

1 Cup of whole milk

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

Medium Pot Or Large Pot

[depends on how much you want to make if making a double batch use a large pot]

1 Wooden Spoon

1 Large Ladle

Small Whisk Or Fork [for the thickener]

One Bowl Or Cup [for the thickener]

Spatula [optional]

Zester

Large Casserole Or Large Baking Dish

[I used a 14”x 10” inch. dish]

PREPARATION

Bring your stovetop to a medium-low heat and place your medium pot on top. Pour in your milk and sweetened condensed milk and with your wooden spoon start stirring until the milk comes to a low boil; this usually takes 5-7 minutes; stir constantly because the milk tends to spill over and sometimes burn because of the sweetened condensed milk. At the 5-minute mark turn down your stovetop to a low heat and let’s get started on the thickener.

In a bowl or a cup pour in your one cup of milk and add in your 6 tablespoons of cornstarch, whisk with either a fork or a small whisk until it’s dissolved. Once that’s done turn your stovetop up to a medium heat and pour in your thickener into the milk pot and keep stirring until the mixture becomes thick, this usually takes about 8-10 minutes.

Turn off your stovetop and place your pot onto a cold surface or kitchen countertop and add in your two cans of table cream; stir until all is combined. Next add in your vanilla extract and lemon zest. Mix until all the flavors combine.

FINAL PREP

Place your crackers onto a large platter and have your custard and ladle nearby so we can start layering this dessert. Place your large casserole or baking dish in front of you and fill your ladle with the creamy custard this will be the first layer, next add your crackers on top of the custard and place them nice and fitted making sure that little space is left without a cracker next to it, if you have to break up half the cracker and snug it in there than do so. You’ll see in the video that I had to break off pieces of the crackers to fill the spaces on the sides of my glass casserole dish. Keep repeating the same steps until the custard and the crackers are finished.

FORMULA

1. Custard Cream – Ladle

2. Ducales Crackers – Line Them Up

3. Repeat

Once the last layer is finished, place a plastic wrap or a foil paper on top and place it in your fridge for a minimum of four hours but preferably over-night.

The longer it stays in the fridge the better it will be, like I said before you can make this dessert 2-3 days in advance.