Strawberries and Cream Pastry

Summer is the perfect time to enjoy light and fruity desserts, and this easy strawberry puff pastry recipe is just what you need! With its crispy pastry, creamy vanilla cream, and fresh strawberries, this treat is a delightful combination of flavors and textures. It’s simple to make and looks absolutely stunning, making it a great choice for impressing your guests at any summer gathering. Whether you’re hosting a brunch, a picnic, or just want to enjoy a special treat, these strawberry puff pastries are sure to be a hit. Plus, they’re so easy to make, you’ll find yourself turning to this recipe again and again throughout the season.

Ingredients You’ll Need for the Strawberries and Cream Pastry:

• Puff pastry: This is the base of your dessert, providing a flaky and buttery texture.
• Heavy Cream: Makes the creamy filling of the pastry.
• Sugar + Vanilla Extract (or Vanilla Sugar): Adds sweetness.
• Strawberry Jam: Adds freshness to the filling.
• Fresh strawberries: These add a burst of freshness and natural sweetness.
• Egg yolk: Used to brush the pastry edges for a golden finish.
• Mint / Basil leaves (optional): Adds another flavor and an additional pop of color.

For making the Strawberries and Cream Pastry, here are the essential tools you’ll need:

• Cookie Cutters: To cut the puff pastry into uniform shapes for consistent baking.
• Pastry Brush: To apply an even layer of egg yolk on the pastry for a golden finish.
• Piping Bag: To add precise amounts of cream onto the pastry.
• Baking Sheet: To place the pastries on for baking in the oven.
• Parchment Paper: To prevent the pastries from sticking to the baking sheet and ensure easy cleanup.

Here is the full Recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1 roll of puff pastry
• 200ml heavy cream (1 cup)
• 2 tbsp granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 50 g (1/3 cup) Fresh Strawberries
• Strawberry Jam
• 1 egg yolk
• Mint or Basil leaves to garnish

Directions:

1. Preheat Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 200°C (392°F). This ensures the oven is hot enough to give your puff pastry that perfect golden-brown finish.
2. Prepare Puff Pastry: Roll out the puff pastry on a clean surface. Cut out large circles from the pastry. These will serve as the base for your dessert. For the edge, cut out smaller circles from the center of some of the larger circles, creating ring shapes. Place the ring shapes on top of the large circles to create a raised edge. Brush the edges with egg yolk to give them a lovely golden color once baked.
3. Bake: Place the prepared puff pastry circles on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 10-12 minutes, or until they are puffed up and golden brown. Remove from the oven and let them cool completely.
4. Prepare the Filling: While the puff pastry is baking and cooling, prepare the filling. Whip the heavy cream until stiff, carefully add susgar + vanilla extract & whip again.
5. Assemble: Once both the puff pastry and filling have cooled, carefully remove the center of the puff pastry pieces, if they have puffed up too much. Fill the center of each puff pastry piece with 1 tbsp of strawberry jam, thin slices of fresh strawberries and the vanilla cream filling. Decorate the top with fresh strawberries.
6. Enjoy: Serve immediately and enjoy this delightful summer treat with friends and family!

Tips and Tricks:

Tips for the Pastry:

• Chill the Puff Pastry: Keep your puff pastry cold until you’re ready to use it. Warm pastry can become too soft and difficult to handle, making it less likely to puff up properly.
• Prevent Over-Puffing: When baking the pastry circles, if they puff up too much in the center, gently press them down with a spoon immediately after they come out of the oven. This will create a well for your filling.
• Egg Wash for Shine: Brushing the pastry edges with egg yolk not only helps them turn a beautiful golden brown but also adds a slight shine, making your pastries look even more appetizing.
• Sprinkle with Sugar: For added sweetness and a touch of crunch, sprinkle a bit of granulated sugar or coarse sugar on top of the pastry before baking.
• Cooling is Key: Ensure both the puff pastry and filling are completely cooled before assembling. If the pastry is too warm, it can cause the filling to become runny.
• Freshness Matters: Use fresh, ripe strawberries for the best flavor and presentation. If strawberries are out of season, you can substitute them with other fresh berries like blueberries or raspberries.

General Tips:

• Even Baking: Rotate your baking sheet halfway through the baking time to ensure the pastries bake evenly.
• Custom Shapes: Get creative with the shapes of your puff pastry. You can use different cookie cutters to create fun shapes that match the theme of your gathering.
• Preheat Your Oven: Make sure your oven is preheated to the correct temperature before baking. This ensures that the pastry bakes evenly and achieves a golden, crisp texture.
• Chill the Dough: If you’re using homemade pastry dough, chill it in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before rolling it out. This makes it easier to handle and helps prevent shrinking during baking.
• Roll Evenly: Roll out the dough evenly to ensure uniform baking. An even thickness helps the pastry cook consistently and avoids undercooked or overcooked spots.
• Bake on Parchment Paper: Line your baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent the pastry from sticking and to make cleanup easier.
• Cool Before Serving: Allow the pastries to cool slightly on a wire rack before serving. This helps the filling set and makes them easier to handle.
• Storage: If you need to make these ahead of time, store the baked puff pastry shells in an airtight container at room temperature. Assemble with the vanilla cream and strawberries just before serving to maintain the pastry’s crispness.

Following these tips will help you create perfectly delicious and visually appealing strawberry pastries. Enjoy your baking!

More Baking Ideas:

• Strawberries & Cream Cookies – Soft, buttery cookies infused with fresh strawberries and a velvety cream filling – the ultimate summer treat!
• White Chocolate Raspberry Cookies -Delight in the perfect balance of sweet white chocolate and tart raspberries with every bite of these irresistible cookies.
• Lemon Poppy Seed Cookies -These zesty lemon cookies with a hint of poppy seed crunch will brighten up your day with a refreshing burst of flavor.
• Lemon Cheesecake Cookies with Blueberry Curd – Bright, tangy, and irresistibly creamy, these Lemon Cheesecake Cookies with Blueberry Curd are a zesty delight topped with a luscious blueberry swirl. Perfect for citrus lovers looking for a sweet twist!

Watch the recipe video here. Let’s get to baking! Here is the full recipe: