PASTRY CREAM STUFFED SHELL CONES

🥐 Pastry Cream Stuffed Shell Cones

Yield: ~10–12 cones
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 20–25 minutes
Chill Time: 1 hour (for the cream)

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✅ Ingredients

For the Shell Cones:

• 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
• 1 egg (for egg wash)
• 1 tbsp water
• Sugar (for sprinkling)
• Butter or oil (to grease cone molds)

🧰 You’ll need metal cream horn cones or DIY foil cones.

For the Pastry Cream (Crème Pâtissière):

• 2 cups (480 ml) milk (whole preferred)
• ½ cup (100 g) sugar
• ¼ cup (30 g) cornstarch
• 4 egg yolks
• 2 tbsp (30 g) butter
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Optional: pinch of salt

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🔪 Instructions

🥣 Make the Pastry Cream (Can Be Made Ahead):

1. Heat milk in a saucepan until steaming (not boiling).
2. In a separate bowl, whisk:
   • 4 egg yolks
   • ½ cup sugar
   • ¼ cup cornstarch
   • Pinch of salt
3. Temper eggs: Slowly pour hot milk into the egg mixture while whisking.
4. Return everything to the saucepan over medium heat. Whisk constantly until thick (about 3–5 minutes).
5. Remove from heat. Stir in:
   • 2 tbsp butter
   • 1 tsp vanilla extract
6. Pour into a bowl, cover with plastic wrap touching the surface, and chill for at least 1 hour.

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🌀 Make the Puff Pastry Shell Cones:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease cone molds or wrap foil into cone shapes and grease.
2. Roll out thawed puff pastry slightly and cut into ½-inch (1.25 cm) wide strips.
3. Wrap strips around each cone mold, slightly overlapping each round. Start at the tip and work your way up.
4. Place on baking tray seam side down.
5. Mix egg + water for egg wash and brush the cones.
6. Sprinkle lightly with sugar.
7. Bake for 15–20 minutes, until puffed and golden brown.
8. Cool for 5–10 minutes, then gently twist cones off the molds.

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🍮 Fill the Cones:

1. Whisk the chilled pastry cream until smooth.
2. Spoon into a piping bag with a round or star tip.
3. Pipe the cream into each shell cone until filled.

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✨ Optional Garnishes:

• Dust with powdered sugar
• Dip the ends in melted chocolate or crushed nuts
• Top with fresh berries, mint, or chocolate curls