Homemade Cream Horns
Homemade Cream Horns (also known as Cannoncini in Italian cuisine) are delightful pastries consisting of flaky puff pastry shaped into hollow cones, baked to golden perfection, and filled with either sweet whipped cream or custard. Dusting with powdered sugar adds a finishing touch to this classic treat, making it ideal for desserts or special occasions
Ingredients
Puff Pastry Horns:
- 1 package (about 17.3 oz) frozen puff pastry, thawed
- 1 egg (for egg wash)
- 1 tablespoon water (to mix with egg)
Cream Filling Options:
Option 1: Fresh Whipped Cream
- 1 ½ cups (300 ml) heavy cream
- 2-3 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Option 2: Pastry Cream (Crema Pasticcera)
- 2 cups whole milk
- 4 large egg yolks
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For Decoration:
- Powdered sugar (for dusting)
Instructions
Preheat Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Prepare the Pastry Horns:
- Lightly grease metal cream horn molds (or use homemade foil molds).
- Roll out the puff pastry on a lightly floured surface. Cut into 1-inch wide strips.
- Wrap each strip around the molds, slightly overlapping as you go. Seal the ends with water.
- Brush each pastry with egg wash (1 beaten egg + 1 tablespoon water) for a golden finish.
Bake the Pastry Horns:
- Place on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy. Allow to cool slightly, then carefully remove the pastry from the molds.
Prepare the Cream Filling:
- For Fresh Cream:In a chilled bowl, whip heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form.
- For Pastry Cream:Heat milk in a saucepan. In a separate bowl, whisk egg yolks, sugar, and cornstarch until smooth. Gradually add hot milk to the mixture while stirring. Return to the saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until thickened. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla, and let cool.
Fill the Pastry Horns:
- Once the horns are cooled, use a piping bag to fill them with your chosen cream filling.
Finishing Touch:
- Dust generously with powdered sugar.
Serve and Enjoy:
- Serve immediately for the best texture. If not serving right away, store unfilled horns in an airtight container and fill just before serving to maintain crispness.