Here’s a delightful recipe for Irresistible Cream and Berry-Filled Pastries, perfect for a light and refreshing dessert with a mix of creamy goodness and juicy berries!
Ingredients:
For the Pastry:
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
- 1 egg (for egg wash)
- 1 tablespoon water
For the Cream Filling:
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar (or keto-friendly sweetener for a low-carb option)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened (optional, for a thicker filling)
For the Berry Filling:
- 1 cup mixed berries (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar (or a keto-friendly sweetener)
Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Prepare the Puff Pastry:
- Roll out the thawed puff pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface. Cut the pastry into 6 or 8 equal squares.
- Beat the egg with 1 tablespoon of water to create an egg wash.
- Fold each square into triangles or rectangles (depending on your desired shape), leaving space to fill later.
- Brush the tops with egg wash and poke a few holes with a fork to prevent excessive puffing.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until golden and crispy. Remove from the oven and let them cool completely.
3. Prepare the Berry Filling:
- In a small bowl, mix the berries, lemon juice, and sugar (or sweetener).
- Allow the berries to macerate for 10-15 minutes, releasing their juices.
4. Prepare the Cream Filling:
- In a mixing bowl, whip the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form.
- For a thicker filling, beat the softened cream cheese into the whipped cream until smooth and combined.
5. Assemble the Pastries:
- Once the puff pastry has cooled, carefully slice each one in half horizontally to create a top and bottom.
- Spoon a generous amount of the whipped cream mixture onto the bottom half of each pastry.
- Add a spoonful of the macerated berries over the cream.
- Place the top half of the pastry back on to create a sandwich.
6. Serve:
- Serve the cream and berry-filled pastries immediately, dusted with powdered sugar or garnished with fresh mint leaves if desired.
Tips:
- Make-Ahead Option: You can prepare the cream and berries ahead of time and store them in the fridge. Assemble the pastries just before serving to keep them crisp.
- Berry Choices: Feel free to use any berries you prefer or that are in season.
- Low-Carb Option: For a keto-friendly version, use almond flour-based pastry dough and sweeten with a keto-friendly sweetener.
These Cream and Berry-Filled Pastries are irresistibly light and flavorful, combining flaky puff pastry with rich cream and juicy berries for a perfect dessert!