Heavenly Cream Horns Recipe: Flaky Swirls of Sweet Bliss

Sweet memories of my grandmother’s bakery sparked my love for delectable cream horns that always drew neighbors to her kitchen.

Delicate pastry shells curved like elegant crescents invite pure culinary delight.

Crisp layers of buttery dough embrace rich, velvety cream filling that melts effortlessly.

Each bite promises a magical journey through traditional European baking techniques.

Pastry enthusiasts and dessert lovers appreciate these elegant treats that require patience and skill.

Generations of bakers have perfected this classic recipe, passing down secrets from one kitchen to another.

You’ll find these cream horns are easier to make than they appear, so roll up your sleeves and let’s create something spectacular.

Why Cream Horns Feel Bakery-Worthy Yet Totally Doable

• Craft with Ease: Perfect for home bakers seeking a delightful dessert that looks professionally made without complex techniques.
• Minimal Ingredients, Maximum Impact: Uses simple pantry staples like puff pastry, cream, and sugar to create an impressive sweet treat that feels luxurious.
• Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Versatile pastry that works wonderfully for family gatherings, afternoon tea, birthdays, or elegant dinner parties with its classic European-style presentation.
• Customizable Creativity: Offers endless possibilities for personalization by adding different flavor extracts to cream, experimenting with toppings, or creating chocolate variations to suit individual preferences.

Key Ingredients For Creamy, Flaky Cream Horns

• Puff Pastry Sheets: A light and flaky foundation that creates the crisp exterior of the cream horns.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds a sweet crunch and caramelized texture to the pastry surface.

• Large Egg: Creates a golden, shiny finish and helps seal the pastry edges.

• Heavy Cream: Provides a rich and luxurious base for the whipped cream filling.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and stabilizes the whipped cream mixture.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds a classic, aromatic flavor to the cream filling.

• Powdered Sugar: Provides a delicate, sweet dusting over the completed cream horns.

• Metal Tubes: Essential for shaping the pastry into classic horn shapes during baking.
• Parchment Paper: Prevents sticking and ensures easy removal of pastry from the baking sheet.

How To Make Classic Cream Horns Step By Step

Step 1: Prepare Baking Setup

Grab a baking sheet and line it with parchment paper. Heat your oven to a toasty 400°F. This sets the stage for your delectable pastry adventure.

Step 2: Transform Pastry Sheets

Unroll the puff pastry, then sprinkle a generous shower of granulated sugar across its surface. The sugar will create a magical caramelized crunch that makes these horns irresistible.

Step 3: Create Pastry Strips

With a sharp knife or pizza cutter, slice each pastry sheet into long, slender strips about 1 inch wide. Precision is your friend here, so take your time.

Step 4: Wrap Metal Tubes

Carefully wrap each metal tube diagonally with a pastry strip. Overlap the edges slightly to ensure complete coverage. Press the pastry edges gently to seal and secure the classic horn shape.

Step 5: Egg Wash Magic

Grab a beaten egg and lovingly brush each pastry horn. This will give your cream horns a gorgeous golden shine that’ll make mouths water.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Arrange the wrapped tubes on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them evenly. Slide into the oven and bake for 15-18 minutes until they transform into a rich, golden brown with a crisp exterior.

Step 7: Cool Down

Remove from the oven and let the horns cool completely while still on the metal tubes. Patience is key to maintaining their beautiful shape.

Step 8: Remove Pastry Shells

Once cooled, carefully slide the pastry shells off the metal tubes. Handle with care – these are delicate beauties!

Step 9: Whip Cream Filling

• Heavy cream
• Powdered sugar
• Vanilla extract

Whip until stiff, stable peaks form that stand at attention.

Step 10: Pipe and Fill

Transfer the whipped cream to a piping bag with a star tip. Generously pipe the cream mixture into each cooled pastry shell from end to end.

Step 11: Final Flourish

Dust the filled cream horns with a soft snowfall of powdered sugar just before serving. This adds a touch of sweet elegance.

Step 12: Serve and Enjoy

Refrigerate until ready to serve. These cream horns are best enjoyed within a few hours of preparation, when they’re at their most magical and delicious.

Tips For Beautiful, Perfectly Filled Cream Horns

• Sugar Sprinkle Secret: Generously coat puff pastry with sugar before cutting for extra caramelization and sweet crunch.
• Wrap with Care: Slightly overlap pastry strips when wrapping metal tubes to prevent gaps and ensure uniform shape.
• Golden Glaze Trick: Brush beaten egg thoroughly over pastry horns for a beautiful, shiny golden-brown exterior.
• Cream Stability Hack: Whip heavy cream until stiff peaks form to maintain structure and prevent deflating.
• Serving Pro Tip: Dust with powdered sugar immediately before serving to keep the decorative sugar crisp and fresh.

Creative Fillings And Flavors For Cream Horns

• Chocolate Cream Delight: Add cocoa powder to the whipped cream and mix melted dark chocolate into the filling for a rich, decadent version.
• Fruit Fusion: Fold fresh raspberry or strawberry puree into the whipped cream and garnish with fresh berries on top for a fruity variation.
• Nutty Crunch: Sprinkle chopped pistachios or toasted almonds inside the cream filling and dust the exterior with crushed nuts for extra texture.
• Caramel Swirl: Drizzle homemade caramel sauce inside the cream horn and mix caramel bits into the whipped cream for a sweet, buttery flavor profile.

Best Pairings To Enjoy With Cream Horns

• Elevate Sweet Cream Horn Experience: Delightful Pairings
• Brew Rich Espresso Companion: Dark, intense espresso cuts through the cream horn's sweetness, creating a perfect balance with its robust flavor profile and cleansing palate effect.
• Match Fruity Wine Delight: Select a light moscato or sweet riesling to complement the pastry's delicate sweetness, enhancing the dessert's creamy texture with gentle fruit undertones.
• Create Tea Time Magic: Choose Earl Grey or lavender tea to provide elegant aromatic notes that beautifully harmonize with the cream horn's buttery, sugary characteristics, offering a sophisticated tasting experience.
• Explore Dessert Wine Harmony: Port wine's rich, smooth complexity pairs wonderfully with the cream horn's delicate layers, adding depth and sophisticated sweetness to each delightful bite.

Storage Tips To Keep Cream Horns Fresh

• Store cream horns in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep them away from strong-smelling foods to prevent flavor absorption.
• Freeze unfilled pastry shells and whipped cream separately for maximum freshness. Wrap pastry shells in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Store whipped cream in a sealed container.
• Leave cream horns at room temperature for no more than 2 hours. Cream-filled pastries spoil quickly due to dairy content, so refrigeration is crucial for food safety.
• Place a paper towel inside the storage container to absorb excess moisture. This helps maintain the crisp texture of the pastry shells and prevents them from becoming soft.

Cream Horns FAQs For First-Time Bakers

• Can I use a different type of pastry for cream horns?

Yes, you can substitute puff pastry with phyllo or crescent roll dough, but puff pastry provides the best flaky texture and golden color.

• Do I need special metal tubes to make cream horns?

Cream horn metal tubes are ideal, but you can use alternative tools like ice cream cones, wooden dowels, or even rolled aluminum foil as tube substitutes.

• How do I prevent the pastry from sticking to the metal tubes?

Lightly grease the metal tubes with cooking spray or butter before wrapping the pastry to ensure easy removal after baking.

• Is it possible to make cream horns ahead of time?

You can prepare the pastry shells in advance and store them in an airtight container. Fill with cream just before serving to maintain crispness and prevent sogginess.

Cream Horns Recipe

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4.6 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 35-38 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Delicate Italian cream horns weave sweet magic into delightful pastry spirals filled with luscious vanilla cream. Crisp puff pastry and silky smooth filling create an irresistible dessert that will sweep you into pure culinary bliss.

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Ingredients

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Pastry Ingredients:

• 2 sheets puff pastry
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg (for egg wash)

Filling Ingredients:

• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Equipment/Molding Ingredients:

• 6–8 cream horn metal tubes
• 2 tbsp powdered sugar (for dusting)
• Parchment paper

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Unroll the puff pastry sheets and sprinkle generously with granulated sugar across the surface.
3. Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, slice each pastry sheet into long, thin strips approximately 1 inch wide.
4. Wrap each metal tube diagonally with a pastry strip, slightly overlapping the edges to ensure complete coverage.
5. Gently press the pastry edges to seal and secure the horn shape around the metal tube.
6. Brush each pastry horn with beaten egg, ensuring complete coverage for a golden finish.
7. Arrange the wrapped tubes on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them evenly.
8. Bake for 15-18 minutes until the pastry turns a rich, golden brown and becomes crisp.
9. Remove from the oven and allow the horns to cool completely on the metal tubes.
10. Carefully slide the cooled pastry shells off the metal tubes and set aside.
11. Whip the heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until stiff, stable peaks form.
12. Transfer the whipped cream to a piping bag fitted with a star tip.
13. Pipe the cream mixture generously into each cooled pastry shell from end to end.
14. Dust the filled cream horns with additional powdered sugar just before serving.
15. Refrigerate until ready to serve, best enjoyed within a few hours of preparation.

Notes

• Choose metal cream horn tubes with smooth surfaces to prevent pastry from sticking during baking.
• Ensure puff pastry is cold and slightly firm for easier handling and cleaner cutting of strips.
• Brush egg wash carefully to create a uniform golden color without pooling or dripping.
• Consider alternative fillings like chocolate mousse, custard, or flavored mascarpone for variety.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 15-18 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 120 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg