Canned mandarin oranges and packaged phyllo dough come together in an easy and pretty rendition of a traditionally time-consuming dessert. Ingredients PHYLLO 1/2 teaspoon Chinese Five Spice Powder 2 tablespoon Granulated Sugar 4 ea 17x12 inc Phyllo Dough Sheets Thawed 3 tablespoon Unsalted Butter Melted CREAM CHEESE MOUSSE 8 ounces Cream Cheese Softened 1 1/2 teaspoon Fresh Lemon Juice 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract 1 tablespoon Orange Syrup reserved from can of mandarin oranges 3/4 cup Powdered Sugar 2/3 cup Whipping Cream Chilled 2 ounce Mandarin Oranges In Light Syrup Drain garnish Confectioners Sugar 1 Orange Finely Minced

Instructions
PHYLLO:
1. Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 375.

2. Whisk together five-spice powder and 2 tablespoons granulated sugar in a small bowl.

3. Cover phyllo with overlapping sheets of plastic wrap and a dampened kitchen towel to prevent it from drying out.

4. Arrange 1 phyllo sheet on a half-sheet pan (or large baking sheet), brush with some butter and sprinkle with one third of spiced sugar. Add 2 more layers to the first layer in the same manner. Top with remaining phyllo sheet and brush with remaining butter. (For a corrugated look, invert a large rectangular cooling rack and place it on top of phyllo.)

5. Bake until dark golden brown, 12 to 14 minutes. Carefully remove cooling rack (if using) and transfer phyllo (in 1 piece) with 2 metal spatulas to another rack to cool.

CREAM CHEESE MOUSSE:
1. While phyllo cools, blend together cream cheese, lemon juice, vanilla, 1 tablespoon reserved orange syrup (discard remainder), and 1/4 cup powdered sugar in a food processor until smooth. Add remaining powdered sugar in two additions, beating well to combine between each addition. Using same beaters, beat the chilled whipping cream in another medium bowl until it holds soft peaks. Fold whipped cream into cream cheese mixture in 3 additions. Gently fold in oranges & orange zest. Cover and refrigerate.

2. Break phyllo with your hands or cut with serrated knife into 12 pieces. Arrange 1 piece of phyllo on a plate and top with a dollop of cream cheese mousse. Repeat layering and top with another piece of phyllo. Make 3 more napoleons in same manner. Dust with confectioners sugar, add a few long strands of orange zest, and a couple mandarin orange segments for garnish.

A variation on this recipe is also hosted on BigOven.com as recipe number 161249.

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Yields: 8 Servings    posted as 161249
     Adapted from GOURMET magazine, January 2005

notes: 

Cuisine:   French

Main Ingredient:   Orange