Blueberry Lemon Cream Pastries Recipe
These Blueberry Lemon Cream Pastries are delicate puff pastries filled with a smooth, tangy lemon pastry cream and topped with fresh blueberries and a dusting of powdered sugar. Perfect as a refreshing dessert or an elegant treat for any occasion, they combine flaky layers with bright citrus flavors for a delightful balance in every bite.
- Author: Naya
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 55 minutes
- Yield: 6 pastries 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
For the Lemon Pastry Cream
- 2 large egg yolks
- 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest (about 1 lemon)
- 1/2 cup (120mL) whole milk
- 1/2 cup (120mL) heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
For the Pastries
- 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons raw sugar
- 1 cup fresh blueberries, washed and drained
- Powdered sugar (for dusting)
- Prepare the lemon pastry cream mixture: In a medium bowl, whisk together egg yolks, sugar, cornstarch, and lemon zest until smooth. The mixture will transition from dry to a liquid consistency as you whisk. Set aside.
- Heat milk and cream: In a medium pot over medium heat, combine whole milk and heavy cream. Warm until steaming with slight bubbles at the edges, avoiding a boil.
- Temper the eggs: Slowly drizzle the warm milk mixture into the egg yolk mixture while whisking constantly to prevent curdling. Add in small increments, whisking thoroughly after each addition.
- Cook the pastry cream: Return the combined mixture to the pot and cook over medium heat, whisking continuously until it thickens and boils, resembling pudding (about 3-5 minutes).
- Finish the cream: Remove from heat and whisk in lemon juice, unsalted butter, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Strain and chill: Pass the pastry cream through a fine mesh sieve to remove zest bits and any lumps. Cover with plastic wrap pressed on the surface to prevent skin forming, then refrigerate for 1-2 hours until firm.
- Prepare the puff pastry: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Unfold the thawed puff pastry and cut it into 6 rectangles using the pre-scored seams to guide cuts.
- Score the pastries: Place the rectangles on the baking sheet with spacing and lightly score a smaller rectangle approximately 1/4 inch inside the edges, cutting halfway through the dough without cutting fully through.
- Top and bake: Brush the pastries with heavy cream and sprinkle raw sugar evenly on top. Bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes or until golden and puffed.
- Create filling wells: While warm, carefully cut along the scored lines and gently press the centers to form indentations for filling. Let cool completely.
- Fill pastries: Transfer chilled pastry cream to a piping bag and fill each cooled puff pastry’s indent with the lemon cream.
- Garnish and serve: Top the filled pastries with fresh blueberries and dust with powdered sugar before serving.
Notes
- Ensure the milk mixture is warm, not boiling, when adding to the eggs to avoid scrambling.
- Press plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the pastry cream as it cools to prevent a skin from forming.
- Use thawed puff pastry that is cold but pliable to achieve the best puff and texture.
- Work quickly when pressing the pastry centers while still warm to avoid breaking the flaky layers.
- Raw sugar adds a nice crunch and slight caramelization on top of the pastries during baking but can be substituted with granulated sugar if needed.
Keywords: blueberry pastry, lemon cream, puff pastry dessert, lemon cream pastries, blueberry dessert