Cream and Berry Pastry Balls
These elegant pastry puffs are filled with a light mascarpone cream and sweet berry compote, offering a delightful combination of textures and flavors.
ADVERTISEMENT
Cream and Berry Pastry Balls
Ingredients:
| INGREDIENTS | AMOUNT |
| Regarding the Pastry: | |
| Water | 1 cup |
| Unsalted butter | 1/2 cup |
| All-purpose flour | 1 cup |
| Large eggs | 4 |
| Salt | A dash |
| Regarding the Cream Filling: | |
| Cream cheese or mascarpone | 1 cup |
| Thick cream for whipping | 1/2 cup |
| Powdered sugar | 1/3 cup |
| Vanilla essence | 1 teaspoon |
| Lemon’s zest | 1 (optional) |
| Regarding the Berry Compote: | |
| Mixed berries (blueberries, raspberries, strawberries) | 1 cup |
| Granulated sugar | 2 teaspoons |
| Lemon juice | 1 tablespoon |
| Add-on toppings: | |
| Melted white chocolate | For dipping |
| Chopped nuts or sprinkles | For decoration |
| Sugar powder | For dusting |
How To Make Cream and Berry Pastry Balls:
Get the Pastry Ready:
Step 1: Prep Oven and Boil Base: Set oven temperature to 400F (200C). Bring 1 cup water, 1/2 cup butter, and a dash of salt to a rolling boil in a saucepan. When it starts to boil, immediately add 1 cup flour and whisk quickly until the dough comes away from the sides and forms a smooth ball.
ADVERTISEMENT
Step 2: Add Eggs: Transfer the dough to a mixing basin and set it aside to cool slightly. Add the 4 eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition until the dough is smooth and glossy.
ADVERTISEMENT
Step 3: Bake Pastry Balls: Place little mounds of dough onto a baking sheet coated with parchment paper using a spoon or piping bag. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until puffed and golden brown. Allow the pastry balls to cool fully.
Composte the Berries:
Step 4: Cook Compote: Combine 1 cup berries, 2 tsp granulated sugar, and 1 tbsp lemon juice in a pot over medium heat. Stir occasionally for about 10 minutes, after the berries start to break down and the liquid starts to thicken. Allow it to cool fully.
Get the Cream Filling Ready:
Step 5: Prepare Cream Base: Combine 1 cup mascarpone or cream cheese, 1/3 cup powdered sugar, 1 tsp vanilla essence, and 1 lemon’s zest (if using) in a bowl and beat until creamy.
Step 6: Fold Cream: Whip the 1/2 cup thick cream until it forms stiff peaks. Carefully fold the stiff peaks of cream into the mascarpone mixture to make a light and fluffy filling.
Put the Pastry Balls Together:
Step 7: Fill Pastry Balls: Carefully slice open each cooled pastry ball. Spoon or pipe the cream filling into the cavity of each ball.
Step 8: Add Compote and Garnish: Place a tiny spoonful of berry compote over the cream filling in the pastry ball’s cavity.
Step 9: Optional Toppings: For added texture and decoration, you may dip the tops of the pastry balls in melted white chocolate and then roll them in chopped nuts or sprinkles. Just before serving, dust the balls with powdered sugar.
