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Christmas Puffs

Irresistible Christmas Puffs with Pistachio Pastry Cream

Delicious Christmas Puffs filled with rich Pistachio Pastry Cream, perfect for festive gatherings.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Chilling Time 2 hours
Total Time 3 hours
Servings: 12 puffs
Course: Desserts
Cuisine: French
Calories: 150

Ingredients
  

Pistachio Pastry Cream
  • 2 cups Milk Any dairy or non-dairy milk
  • 1/2 cup Pistachio Paste Substitutable with almond paste for a different flavor
  • 1 cup Eagle Brand® Sweetened Condensed Milk Homemade alternatives possible
  • 4 large Egg Yolks Essential for custard-like texture
  • 1/4 cup Cornstarch Acts as a thickening agent
  • 2 tablespoons Unsalted Butter Can substitute with salted butter
Choux Pastry
  • 1 cup Water Hydrates the dough
  • 1/2 cup Unsalted Butter Use salted as an alternative
  • 1 cup All-purpose Flour Essential for success
  • 1 tablespoon Salt Boosts flavor
  • 1 tablespoon Sugar Any granulated sugar works
  • 1/4 cup Cake Flour Offers tender texture
  • a few drops Red Food Coloring Gives festive appearance
Decorations
  • 1 cup Whipping Cream Any heavy cream preferred
  • 1 cup White Chocolate Chips Milk chocolate can be an alternative
  • as needed Gold Leaves Optional for decoration
  • as needed Strawberries Any berry can be used

Equipment

  • Medium Saucepan
  • mixing bowl
  • Piping bag
  • Parchment Paper
  • Baking Sheet

Method
 

Pistachio Pastry Cream Preparation
  1. In a medium saucepan, combine milk and pistachio paste over medium heat. Stir gently and bring to a boil, then remove from heat and whisk in sweetened condensed milk and egg yolks until well blended. Add cornstarch, mix until smooth, and return to low heat.
  2. Continue cooking over low heat, stirring constantly until thickened, about 5–7 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in unsalted butter until melted. Transfer to a bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
Craquelin Preparation
  1. In a mixing bowl, beat together softened unsalted butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Gradually incorporate cake flour and red food coloring until dough forms. Roll out between parchment to about 1/8-inch thick, chill for 30 minutes, and cut out circles.
Choux Pastry
  1. In a saucepan, bring water, unsalted butter, and salt to a gentle boil. Remove from heat, stir in all-purpose flour quickly until a smooth ball forms. Cool for 5 minutes, then add eggs one at a time, mixing until glossy.
Piping and Baking
  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Fill a piping bag with choux pastry dough, pipe circles on a baking sheet, place a craquelin circle on each puff and bake for 25–30 minutes until golden brown. Turn off oven and allow to dry for 10 minutes.
Filling and Decorating
  1. Once cooled, slice the tops or use a piping bag to inject pistachio pastry cream into each puff. Whip heavy cream until soft peaks and pipe on top or dip in melted white chocolate. Garnish with strawberries.

Nutrition

Serving: 1puffCalories: 150kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 2gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 50mgSodium: 150mgPotassium: 60mgFiber: 1gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 200IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 50mgIron: 0.5mg

Notes

Ensure smooth pastry dough before piping, use gentle heat for milk, and fill on the same day for best results.

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