Strawberry Cream Puffs
Indulge in the delicate sweetness of homemade strawberry cream puffs adorned with love-shaped strawberries, generously filled with luscious mascarpone cream. A delightful treat made effortlessly with shop-bought puff pastry, perfect for any occasion!
Ingredients:
- 1 sheet of shop-bought puff pastry, thawed
- 250ml whipping cream
- 250ml mascarpone
- 50g powdered/icing sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla paste
- Box of fresh strawberries, sliced
- 1 egg whisked with a drop of milk
Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 180°C
2. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the puff pastry sheet.
3. Using a round scallop cookie cutter (between 7-8cm), cut out circles from the pastry sheet. Fold each circle in half and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, ensuring some space between each. Brush with egg wash and use a knife to create decorative lines on the pastry.
4. Bake the pastry for approximately 15-20 minutes or until they turn golden brown and puff up.
5. Once baked, remove from the oven and allow them to cool completely on a wire rack.
6. For the filling, in a mixing bowl, combine the mascarpone cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla. Gradually add the whipping cream while mixing on high speed until smooth and stiff peaks form. Scrape the sides of the bowl occasionally to ensure a lump-free mixture, being careful not to over mix.
7. To assemble the cream puffs, gently slice each one in half without cutting through completely, creating a shell. Pipe the mascarpone cream filling into the pastry shell, then add sliced strawberries on top of the cream. Pipe more cream over the strawberries and smooth it out with a spatula. Add additional sliced fresh strawberries on top.
8. For added creativity, use mini heart fondant cutters or a knife to create heart-shaped slices with the strawberries.
9. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.
Enjoy your delightful homemade strawberry cream puffs!