Probably, you have often tried the well-known and adored by many layered dessert, which has a somewhat atypical name. Someone thought about why the Napoleon cake is called that? However, if you have never tried to understand this, it's time to fill this gap. Today we bring to your attention several versions of the emergence of such an unusual "name".
The most popular version of the origin of the name of the cake is "Napoleon"
The multi-sheet basis for this dessert was invented many years before its occurrence. Once an ingenious pastry chef knead the usual dough and, rolling it, layered with layers of oil. Then he again walked the rolling pin along it, folding it in several layers. Having sent the resulting product to the oven, the confectioner did not really imagine what he would receive. However, a very amazing product came out, consisting of many delicate layers. At the same time, the baking excellently rose.
After a while, another experimental baker appeared in a Neapolitan bakery. And he interlaced such a product with various delicious creams and jam. By taste it was a true culinary masterpiece. Then this cake was called Napolitano - "Neapolitan". He was of Italian origin.
After some time, the "Neapolitan" cake was called "Napoleonic". Renamed it because not everyone understood what Naples was. And about the Frenchman Bonaparte heard, if not all, then many. That is why the so- called Napoleon cake .
The second interesting version
According to the second story, the name "Napoleon" cake was given due to the fact that it had many different layers in its composition. Some of them were more refined and almost invisible. Others, on the contrary, are thicker. Layered the sweetness also with various ingredients. In addition to the layers smeared with jam, the dessert also had custard, various preserves and even whipped sweet cream.
It would seem where is the connection? And why is the Napoleon cake called so, and not otherwise? And the answer is quite banal. It is known that Bonaparte accepted completely different people in his army, proudly marching and capturing many countries. Simple people and people from the court nobility walked shoulder to shoulder in the ranks. That's where the name of the cake "Napoleon", according to this version.
Third variant of origin
This version is no less common. Legend has it that a chef served in the palace of Napoleon Bonaparte. He really wanted the emperor to notice him. And once an ingenious person turned a royal biscuit (pie from multi-layer dough) into a delicious cake.
The cook cut the biscuit along the layers and each of them was not too lazy to smear with various types of cream, syrup and other sweets. The result is an incredibly delicious confectionery. Of course, the cunning chef named his creation in the name of the emperor. That's why the Napoleon cake is called so, according to this legend.
Moscow dessert
All of Moscow celebrated the centenary of the invader’s exile, and not only. In honor of this grand event, the confectioners of the city baked a cake of amazing taste. It consisted of many layers, since puff pastry was taken as the basis. Each of them confectioners generously smeared with custard. Each cake was sprinkled with cookie crumbs on top. Cut into triangles and offered to customers. The cake in the form of a "cocked hat" - Bonaparte's favorite headdress, they liked the taste.
Here is the symbolism that was put into it during the preparation:
- The cakes were very brittle and thin. Although together they gave the impression of a very strong cake, with any movement, and even more so when biting off, the layers easily broke and turned into petals of air crumbs. Fragility symbolized the insecurity of the invading army, which only outwardly seemed strong and invincible. But upon closer inspection, it turned into crumbs.
- Cookies symbolized severe weather conditions in Russia in the winter. Especially in the year when Napoleon wished to take over our country. Winter also made a considerable contribution to the liberation of Moscow from the enemy. She was immortalized in the form of crushed cookie crumbs.
- During the celebration, everyone could eat a piece of “Napoleon”, investing their contribution in the victory over the enemy.
People liked the cakes so much that they were snapped up in an instant. Subsequently, the confectioners of the city did not stop baking the Napoleon cake. On the contrary, they began to make a cake according to the same recipe and sold it by weight.