mauritiandessert
Napolitaine
Mauritian jam-filled shortbread biscuits coated in pink icing.
Prep
20 min
Cook
15 min
Servings
12
Difficulty
Easy
★★★★★
4.7(870 ratings)#biscuit#dessert#baking#mauritian
About This Recipe
Napolitaine are iconic Mauritian biscuits found in every bakery and home across the island. Two buttery shortbread rounds are sandwiched with strawberry jam and topped with a vibrant pink glacé icing and a sprinkle of desiccated coconut. Their cheerful appearance makes them a favourite at parties and as teatime treats.
Ingredients
Serves 12
- 2 cupsall-purpose flour
- 125 gbutter, softened
- 1/2 cupicing sugar
- 4 tbspstrawberry jam
- 1/2 cupicing sugar (for glaze)
- 2 tbspdesiccated coconut
Instructions
- 1
Make dough
Beat butter and icing sugar until fluffy. Fold in flour to form a soft dough. Chill 15 minutes.
- 2
Cut and bake
Roll out 5mm thick and cut into rounds. Bake at 170°C for 12–15 minutes until pale gold. Cool completely.
- 3
Sandwich
Spread jam on half the biscuits and top with the remaining rounds.
- 4
Ice and decorate
Mix icing sugar with a few drops of water and pink food colouring. Spread over tops and sprinkle with coconut.
Pro Tips
- →
Don't overbake — the biscuits should be pale, not browned.
- →
Let the icing set fully before stacking or storing.
Variations
- •
Use apricot jam for a different flavour profile.
- •
Add a few drops of rose water to the icing.
Storage
Store in an airtight tin at room temperature up to 5 days.
History & Origin
Napolitaine have French and British colonial bakery roots, adapted over generations by Mauritian Chinese and Creole bakers into the beloved island classic they are today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make the dough in advance?
Yes, wrapped dough keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days or the freezer for a month.
What if I don't have pink food colouring?
A small amount of berry jam stirred into the icing gives a natural pink tint.
Nutrition Facts
Per serving (55g) · 12 servings total
Calories195kcal
Protein2g
Carbohydrates28g
Fat9g
Fiber1g
Protein2g
Carbs28g
Fat9g
Time Summary
Prep time20 min
Cook time15 min
Total time35 min
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