These delicate vanilla cream puff pastry layers are a luxurious treat that combines the crispiness of puff pastry with the smooth richness of vanilla cream. Dusted with powdered sugar, these pastries are perfect for a special occasion or as a delightful everyday dessert. Each bite offers a wonderful contrast of textures and a comforting vanilla flavor that will leave you wanting more.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Vanilla cream puff pastry layers offer a combination of elegance and indulgence. The light, flaky puff pastry is perfectly complemented by a velvety, rich vanilla cream filling that creates a delicious balance of flavors and textures. With its delicate layers and powdered sugar finish, this dessert looks as impressive as it tastes, making it an excellent choice for both casual and special occasions. It’s easy to prepare, yet the result feels indulgent and refined.
Ingredients
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/4 cup milk
- Powdered sugar (for dusting)
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Roll out the puff pastry sheet and cut it into 6 equal circles (or squares for a different shape).
- Place the puff pastry circles onto the prepared baking sheet and bake for 15-18 minutes, or until golden brown and puffed up.
- While the pastry is baking, prepare the vanilla cream: In a saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat.
- In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with a little cold milk to make a slurry.
- Once the milk begins to steam, add the cornstarch mixture and cook, whisking constantly, until the cream thickens, about 3-4 minutes.
- Remove from heat, stir in powdered sugar and vanilla extract, and let the mixture cool.
- Once the puff pastry is fully baked and cooled, slice the pastries in half.
- Spoon or pipe the vanilla cream onto the bottom half of each pastry and gently press the top half on.
- Dust the assembled pastries with powdered sugar before serving.
Servings and Timing
This recipe yields 6 individual puff pastry layers.
- Preparation time: 15 minutes
- Baking time: 15-18 minutes
- Cooling time: 10-15 minutes
- Total time: 30-35 minutes
Variations
- Flavored Cream: Add a little almond extract or lemon zest to the cream for a different twist on the flavor.
- Chocolate Ganache: For a richer dessert, drizzle some chocolate ganache over the puff pastry before serving.
- Fruit Topping: Add fresh berries or a fruit compote on top of the vanilla cream for a fruity contrast to the rich pastry.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store any leftover pastries in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The puff pastry may lose its crispness over time, but it will still be delicious.
- Freezing: These cream puff pastries are best enjoyed fresh, but you can freeze the baked puff pastry layers. Wrap them in plastic wrap and store in a freezer-safe container for up to 1 month. When ready to eat, thaw and assemble with the cream.
- Reheating: If you want to reheat the puff pastry, place it in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes to restore some crispness. Add the cream just before serving.
FAQs
1. Can I make the cream ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the vanilla cream ahead of time. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days before using.
2. Can I use a pre-made puff pastry?
Yes, using store-bought puff pastry is a great option for convenience. Just make sure it is thawed properly before baking.
3. Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
To make this recipe gluten-free, look for a gluten-free puff pastry and ensure the cornstarch and other ingredients are gluten-free.
4. Can I use a different filling for the puff pastry?
Absolutely! You can fill the puff pastry with different types of cream, such as chocolate mousse, pastry cream, or even whipped cream.
5. Can I add chocolate to the vanilla cream?
Yes, you can incorporate melted chocolate into the cream to make a chocolate-vanilla cream mixture. This will add a rich chocolate flavor to the filling.
6. How do I store leftover puff pastry?
Store any leftover pastries in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat the pastry in the oven for a few minutes before serving.
7. Can I make these in mini sizes?
Yes, you can make smaller puff pastry layers by cutting the puff pastry into smaller circles or squares. Adjust the baking time slightly, as smaller pastries will cook faster.
8. Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
To make this recipe dairy-free, substitute the heavy cream with coconut cream or a plant-based heavy cream alternative and use a dairy-free puff pastry.
9. Can I freeze the cream puff pastries?
It’s best to freeze the puff pastry layers and assemble them with the cream just before serving to maintain the crispiness of the pastry.
10. How do I make sure the puff pastry puffs properly?
Make sure to preheat your oven and avoid opening the oven door during the first few minutes of baking. This helps the puff pastry rise evenly and achieve the desired texture.
Conclusion
Vanilla cream puff pastry layers are the perfect treat for anyone looking for a delicate, indulgent dessert. With their flaky puff pastry and smooth, velvety vanilla cream filling, these pastries are sure to impress guests and satisfy any sweet craving. Simple to make yet luxurious in taste, these puff pastry layers are an ideal dessert for any occasion.
Print
Vanilla Cream Puff Pastry Layers
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Total Time: 33 minutes
- Yield: 6 pastries
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
De délicates couches de pâte feuilletée intercalées avec une crème veloutée à la vanille, saupoudrées de sucre glace, créant une friandise irrésistible, légère et luxueuse.
Ingredients
- 1 feuille de pâte feuilletée décongelée
- 1 tasse de crème épaisse
- 1/4 tasse de sucre en poudre
- 1 cuillère à café d’extrait de vanille
- 1 cuillère à soupe de fécule de maïs
- 1/4 tasse de lait
- Sucre en poudre (pour saupoudrer)
Instructions
- Préchauffer le four à 200 °C. Recouvrir une plaque à pâtisserie de papier sulfurisé.
- Étalez la pâte feuilletée et découpez-la en 6 cercles égaux (ou carrés pour une forme différente).
- Placez les cercles de pâte feuilletée sur la plaque de cuisson préparée et faites cuire pendant 15 à 18 minutes, ou jusqu’à ce qu’ils soient dorés et gonflés.
- Pendant que la pâte cuit, préparez la crème vanille : Dans une casserole, faites chauffer le lait à feu moyen.
- Dans un petit bol, mélangez la fécule de maïs avec un peu de lait froid pour faire une bouillie.
- Une fois que le lait commence à fumer, ajoutez le mélange de fécule de maïs et faites cuire en fouettant constamment jusqu’à ce que la crème épaississe, environ 3 à 4 minutes.
- Retirer du feu, incorporer le sucre glace et l’extrait de vanille et laisser refroidir le mélange.
- Une fois la pâte feuilletée entièrement cuite et refroidie, coupez les pâtisseries en deux.
- Déposez à la cuillère ou à la poche à douille la crème à la vanille sur la moitié inférieure de chaque pâte et appuyez doucement sur la moitié supérieure.
- Saupoudrez les pâtisseries assemblées de sucre glace avant de servir.
Notes
- Pour une touche supplémentaire, vous pouvez ajouter quelques baies fraîches ou un filet de chocolat sur la crème.
- Si vous préférez, vous pouvez réfrigérer la crème pour un dessert plus frais.
- Assurez-vous que la pâte feuilletée soit complètement refroidie avant de l’assembler pour éviter que la crème ne fonde.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pastry
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 80mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
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