Strawberry Cream Puff Pastries

Strawberry Cream Puff Pastries

🍓 Introduction

There’s something truly elegant about desserts that combine flaky pastry, silky cream, and fresh fruit. These Strawberry Cream Puff Pastries are a celebration of both flavor and beauty — golden layers of puff pastry filled with luscious vanilla cream, topped with fluffy whipped cream and slices of ripe strawberries arranged like delicate roses.

Every bite delivers a perfect balance: crisp and buttery pastry, smooth cream, and the natural sweetness of strawberries. Ideal for brunches, tea parties, or romantic evenings, these pastries not only taste divine but also look like they came straight from a French pâtisserie.

🍰 Ingredients

For the Puff Pastry Base:

• 1 sheet puff pastry (store-bought or homemade), thawed

• 1 egg (for egg wash)

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• 1 tbsp milk or water

For the Pastry Cream (Vanilla Filling):

• 2 cups whole milk

• 4 egg yolks

• ½ cup granulated sugar

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• 3 tbsp cornstarch

• 2 tbsp unsalted butter

• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

For the Whipped Cream:

• 1 cup heavy cream (cold)

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• 2 tbsp powdered sugar

• ½ tsp vanilla extract

For Topping:

• Fresh strawberries, thinly sliced

• Powdered sugar for dusting

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🥄 Preparation

1. Prepare the Pastry Cream
In a medium saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat until warm but not boiling. In a separate bowl, whisk together egg yolks, sugar, and cornstarch until smooth and pale.
Slowly pour a little of the warm milk into the egg mixture while whisking (to temper the eggs). Then, pour everything back into the saucepan.
Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly until thickened — about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the butter and vanilla.
Cover with plastic wrap (pressing it directly onto the surface to prevent a skin from forming) and refrigerate until chilled.

2. Prepare the Puff Pastry Shells
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
Cut the puff pastry into 3-inch circles using a cutter. To create the “cup” shape, use a smaller cutter to mark the center lightly without cutting all the way through.
Brush the tops with egg wash (egg + milk mixture) and bake for 15–20 minutes, or until puffed and golden brown. Allow them to cool completely.

3. Whip the Cream
In a chilled bowl, whip the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla until stiff peaks form. Keep refrigerated until ready to use.

4. Assemble the Pastries
Gently cut off the tops of the baked puff pastries if needed to create a flat surface. Fill each one with a spoonful of chilled pastry cream, then pipe whipped cream on top in elegant swirls.
Arrange the sliced strawberries over the cream in a rose-like pattern, overlapping each slice slightly to create petal layers.

5. Finishing Touch
Dust lightly with powdered sugar for a bakery-style finish.

🌿 Serving Suggestions

Serve these Strawberry Cream Puff Pastries fresh, preferably within a few hours of assembly, for the perfect texture and freshness. They pair beautifully with a cup of hot tea, cappuccino, or even sparkling lemonade. For a festive occasion, drizzle a touch of melted white chocolate or honey over the top for extra indulgence.

✨ Conclusion

Strawberry Cream Puff Pastries are a true showstopper — a blend of classic pastry elegance and fresh fruit charm. They bring together buttery, flaky layers, rich vanilla cream, and the vibrant sweetness of strawberries into one unforgettable bite. Whether served at a special celebration or simply enjoyed on a quiet afternoon, these pastries are proof that simple ingredients, when combined with care and creativity, can create something extraordinary.