Description
Baked Eggs Napoleon is an elegant yet easy brunch dish featuring layers of flaky puff pastry, creamy eggs, cheese, ham or smoked salmon, and fresh herbs. Perfect for Valentine’s Day or any special morning, it’s customizable, impressive, and ready in under 40 minutes.
Ingredients
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
- 4 large eggs, room temperature
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 4 oz ham or smoked salmon, thinly sliced
- 1 cup fresh spinach, packed
- 1/2 cup Gruyère or Swiss cheese, grated
- 2 tbsp chives or green onions, finely chopped
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Fresh thyme or tarragon (optional), for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Lay out thawed puff pastry on a lightly floured surface and cut into 8 equal squares (about 4×4 inches each). Transfer 4 squares to a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes until golden and puffed. Set aside.
- Wilt spinach in a dry pan or microwave for 30 seconds until just wilted. Squeeze out excess moisture and season lightly with salt and pepper.
- Place a baked puff pastry square in each ramekin or muffin cup. Layer with ham or smoked salmon, wilted spinach, and a sprinkle of cheese.
- Crack an egg carefully into each ramekin, on top of the layers. Pour 1 tablespoon of heavy cream over each egg. Season with salt, pepper, and chives.
- Place ramekins on a baking sheet and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 12-15 minutes, until whites are set but yolks are still soft. Check at 12 minutes for runny yolks.
- Place a second puff pastry square on top of each ramekin. Sprinkle with extra cheese, chives, and fresh herbs if using. Return to oven for 2-3 minutes to melt cheese and warm the top.
- Let cool for 2 minutes, then gently lift out each Napoleon. Serve immediately, garnished with extra chives.
Notes
Thaw puff pastry overnight for best results. Use room temperature eggs for even baking. Don’t overbake eggs—set a timer and check for runny yolks. Layer ingredients gently for airy texture. Puff pastry can be swapped for crescent dough or gluten-free alternatives. For vegetarian, use sautéed mushrooms or roasted veggies instead of ham/salmon. Best served fresh; leftovers can be reheated gently.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Breakfast/Brunch
- Cuisine: French-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Napoleon
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 550
- Fat: 17
- Saturated Fat: 9
- Carbohydrates: 24
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 13
Keywords: baked eggs, napoleon, brunch, valentine's day, puff pastry, easy brunch, eggs, cheese, ham, smoked salmon, spinach, breakfast