Irresistible Cream and Berry-Filled Pastry Balls

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Roll out the puff pastry: On a lightly floured surface, unroll the puff pastry sheet. Use a sharp knife or a cookie cutter to cut it into small squares or circles, about 2 to 3 inches in size, depending on how large you want your pastry balls.
3. Shape the Pastry: For each pastry square or circle, fold the edges toward the center to form a little pouch. The goal is to create a pocket that will hold the cream and berries once baked.
4. Apply the egg wash: Beat the egg in a small bowl, then brush the egg wash over the folded pastry. This will give the pastry a beautiful golden finish once baked.
5. Bake the Pastry: Place the shaped pastry balls on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they are spaced out. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the pastries are puffed up and golden brown. Allow them to cool slightly once removed from the oven.

Step 2: Prepare the Cream Filling

1. Whip the cream: In a chilled mixing bowl, combine the heavy cream and powdered sugar. Use an electric mixer to whip the cream until it forms soft peaks.
2. Mix with mascarpone: Gently fold in the mascarpone cheese and vanilla extract. Continue mixing until the cream is smooth and well-combined. This mixture should be thick, creamy, and easy to pipe.

Step 3: Assemble the Pastry Balls

1. Slice the pastry balls: Once the baked pastry has cooled down slightly, carefully slice each one in half. Be gentle so that the pastry doesn’t crumble. You’ll want to have a top and bottom for each pastry ball.
2. Fill with cream: Spoon or pipe the creamy mascarpone mixture onto the bottom half of the pastry. You want to generously fill each pastry with the cream, so don’t hold back!
3. Add the berries: Place a few fresh berries on top of the cream. Depending on the type of berry, you may want to slice larger fruits like strawberries in half so that they fit nicely inside the pastry.
4. Top with the other half: Gently place the top half of the pastry over the filled bottom, creating a neat, bite-sized sandwich of pastry and filling.

Step 4: Finish and Serve

1. Dust with powdered sugar: Once all the pastry balls are assembled, lightly dust them with powdered sugar to add a touch of elegance and sweetness.
2. Serve immediately: These pastry balls are best enjoyed right away, while the pastry is still crisp and the cream is fresh. If you need to store them, keep them in an airtight container for up to a day, but they’ll be freshest when eaten soon after they’re assembled.

Tips for Perfect Pastry Balls

• Use chilled ingredients: For the creamiest filling, make sure your mascarpone and heavy cream are chilled before mixing. This helps the whipped cream maintain its structure.
• Customize the berries: Feel free to experiment with different berry combinations. You can also use fruit preserves or jam if fresh berries are out of season.
• Make it ahead: If you want to save time, you can prepare the pastry and cream filling in advance. Just assemble the pastry balls right before serving.

Why You’ll Love These Pastry Balls

These cream and berry-filled pastry balls are the ultimate dessert to serve at any occasion. Their combination of flaky pastry, creamy filling, and fresh berries will delight your taste buds and leave everyone craving more. Whether you’re hosting a brunch, a birthday party, or just looking for a sweet treat to enjoy at home, these pastry balls are sure to impress.

Perfect for any season, they bring out the best of both fresh berries in the summer and cozy, indulgent cream during colder months. The crispy pastry provides just the right contrast to the smooth cream, while the berries offer a refreshing burst of natural sweetness.

So why wait? Gather your ingredients and give these Irresistible Cream and Berry-Filled Pastry Balls a try—your taste buds will thank you!