Cream Cheese Puff Pastries

Cream cheese puff pastries are delicious, light, and airy desserts that are perfect for any occasion. These delightful treats consist of a choux pastry shell filled with a rich and creamy mixture of cottage cheese and whipped cream. The combination of textures and flavors makes them a favorite among dessert enthusiasts. The process of making the choux pastry involves boiling water with butter and incorporating flour and eggs, resulting in a dough that puffs up beautifully when baked. The filling is a luscious blend of sweetened cottage cheese and whipped cream, offering a smooth and slightly tangy contrast to the pastry shell. These pastries are finished with a dusting of powdered sugar for an added touch of sweetness. Whether you're hosting a gathering or simply treating yourself, cream cheese puff pastries are sure to impress. They can be made ahead and enjoyed fresh, making them a convenient option for dessert lovers. With this detailed recipe, you'll be able to create these delightful desserts with ease.

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

• 350 g water
• 175 g butter
• 2 pinches of salt
• 1.5 cups wheat flour
• 5 eggs
• 500 g cottage cheese
• 500 g sweet cream
• 50 g powdered sugar

Preparation Time

60 minutes

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Begin by prepping your ingredients. Measure out the water, butter, salt, flour, eggs, cottage cheese, sweet cream, and powdered sugar.
2. Start with the choux pastry. In a saucepan, bring the water to a boil and add the butter. Stir until the butter is completely melted and combined with the water.
3. Add the flour gradually. Sift the flour into the butter-water mixture while stirring continuously. This will help create a smooth dough.
4. Cook the dough. Continue stirring the mixture over medium heat until it forms a ball and begins to pull away from the sides of the pan.
5. Cool down the dough. Remove the saucepan from heat and allow the dough to cool slightly. This is important before adding the eggs.
6. Incorporate the eggs. Add the eggs to the cooled dough one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. This will make the dough sticky and elastic.
7. Pipe or shape the dough. Using a pastry bag or a spoon, place dollops of dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
8. Preheat the oven. Set your oven to 220°C (428°F) and allow it to preheat.
9. Bake the pastries. Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 15 minutes until the pastries have risen and started to brown.
10. Reduce the temperature. Lower the oven to 180°C (356°F) and continue baking for another 15 minutes.
11. Cool the pastries. Once baked, remove the pastries from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack.
12. Prepare the filling. Whip the sweet cream with powdered sugar until it forms soft peaks.
13. Mix in the cottage cheese. Sieve the cottage cheese to remove any lumps and fold it into the whipped cream mixture.
14. Fill the pastries. Cut a small hole at the bottom of each cooled pastry or slice them in half and fill with the cream mixture.
15. Dust with powdered sugar. For presentation, sprinkle powdered sugar over the filled pastries.
16. Serve and enjoy. Serve the pastries immediately for freshness.
17. Store leftovers. Place any uneaten pastries in an airtight container in the fridge.
18. Rewarm if needed. To enjoy later, you can lightly warm the pastries in an oven.
19. Modify to taste. Adjust the sweetness or filling to your liking if desired.
20. Pair wisely. These pastries pair well with coffee or tea.

Tips

• For a crispy pastry shell, ensure the dough is cooked until it pulls away from the pan sides.
• Use a piping bag with a round tip for uniform pastry sizes.
• If the dough is too sticky, let it cool a bit more before adding eggs.
• Substitute cottage cheese with ricotta for a creamier filling.

Nutritions

• Calories: 320 per pastry
• Protein: 6 g
• Fats: 22 g
• Carbs: 25 g

Variations

• Low-fat option: Use low-fat cottage cheese and reduced-fat cream.
• Sweet alternative: Add a teaspoon of vanilla extract to the filling mixture.
• Savory twist: Use a filling of cream cheese with herbs for a savory version.

Serving Suggestions

• Pair with fresh berries or a fruit compote for added flavor.
• Serve alongside a cup of espresso or cappuccino.
• Top with a chocolate drizzle for an elegant finish.

Best Places

• Café de Flore - Known for its exquisite pastries and historic setting. Location: 172 Boulevard Saint-Germain, Paris, France.
• Véronique's Patisserie - Offers a blend of traditional and modern French desserts. Location: 52 Rue du Bac, Paris, France.
• Pasticceria Marchesi - Italian pastries with a luxurious twist. Location: Via Santa Maria alla Porta, 11a, Milan, Italy.
• Conditorei Schober - A charming Swiss café famous for its pastries. Location: Napfgasse 4, Zurich, Switzerland.
• Dimmiti's Bakehouse - Celebrated for its wide range of cream puffs. Location: 16/1932 Camden Valley Way, Edmondson Park, Australia.
• Caffè Greco - A classic Roman café with delightful pastries. Location: Via dei Condotti, 86, Rome, Italy.
• L.P. Cheesecakery - Known for unique cheesecake puff pastries. Location: 156 St Georges Rd, Northcote VIC 3070, Australia.
• Bucharest Delights - A fusion of cultural pastries. Location: Căderea Bastiliei 76, Bucharest, Romania.
• Ladurée - Iconic Parisian house for sweet treats. Location: 75 Avenue des Champs-Élysées, Paris, France.
• Baker's Table - Renowned for creative takes on traditional puff pastries. Location: 882 Columbus Ave, New York, USA.