Description
Delicate, crisp craquelin-topped cream puffs filled with a silky passionfruit pastry cream, these enchanting treats are sprinkled with gold fairy dust for a magical touch. Inspired by Tinker Bell, these whimsical and elegant cream puffs are perfect for tea parties, birthdays, or any special occasion where a little fairy magic is needed!
Ingredients
Scale
Craquelin (Crispy Topping):
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2/3 cup flour
- 1 drop green gel food coloring
Choux Pastry (Cream Puff Shells):
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
- 2 pinches salt
- 1 cup flour
- 4 eggs
Passionfruit Pastry Cream:
- 2 cups milk
- 4 egg yolks
- 5 tbsp cornstarch
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup passionfruit purée (thawed if frozen)
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 1/4 cups whipping cream
Decoration:
- Gold luster dust (optional)
Instructions
1. Make the Craquelin (Crispy Topping):
- In a bowl, cream together butter and brown sugar until smooth.
- Add flour and mix until a dough forms.
- Knead in green food coloring for a fairy-like hue.
- Roll out the dough between two sheets of parchment paper to ⅛-inch thickness.
- Freeze for 15 minutes, then cut out small circles (about the size of your cream puffs). Keep frozen until needed.
2. Make the Choux Pastry:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a saucepan, bring water, butter, and salt to a boil.
- Reduce heat and stir in flour, mixing vigorously until the dough pulls away from the pan (about 1-2 minutes).
- Transfer to a bowl and let cool for 5 minutes.
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition until smooth.
- Pipe small mounds of dough onto the prepared baking sheet.
- Top each puff with a frozen craquelin disc.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until golden and crisp. Let cool completely.
3. Make the Passionfruit Pastry Cream:
- In a saucepan, heat milk until steaming (not boiling).
- In a separate bowl, whisk together egg yolks, cornstarch, and sugar until pale.
- Gradually whisk the hot milk into the egg mixture to temper.
- Return to heat, stirring constantly until thickened.
- Remove from heat and stir in passionfruit purée and butter.
- Cover with plastic wrap (touching the surface) and refrigerate until cool.
- Whip whipping cream until stiff peaks form, then fold into the cooled pastry cream.
4. Assemble & Decorate:
- Cut cooled cream puffs in half.
- Pipe passionfruit pastry cream into each puff and replace the tops.
- Lightly dust with gold luster dust for a magical Tinker Bell sparkle.
Notes
- Make-ahead tip: Prepare craquelin, choux pastry, and pastry cream separately up to one day in advance. Assemble before serving.
- No passionfruit purée? Use lemon or mango purée for a similar tropical flavor.
- Storage: Best eaten fresh, but can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Pastry
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French, Fantasy-Inspired