Italian Cream Stuffed Cannoncini (Puff Pastry Horns)
Italian Cream Stuffed Cannoncini (Puff Pastry Horns) are a classic Italian dessert featuring flaky, golden puff pastry shells filled with a rich and smooth sweet cream. Perfectly crisp shells combined with luscious whipped cream offer a delightful balance of texture and flavor. Ideal for parties, elegant dinners, or indulgent snacks, these creamy and crunchy pastries bring authentic Italian flair with simple ingredients and easy preparation.
- Author: Gloria
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 cannoncini 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
For the Puff Pastry Horns
- High-quality frozen puff pastry sheets (thawed, cut into 1 inch wide strips)
- Egg wash (1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water or milk)
For the Italian Cream Filling
- 1 cup heavy cream (chilled)
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For Finishing
- Powdered sugar (for dusting)
- Prepare the Puff Pastry Horns: Thaw puff pastry sheets according to package instructions. Cut them into even strips about 1 inch wide. Wrap each strip tightly around metal cannoncini molds or small cone-shaped forms, slightly overlapping the edges to form the signature horn shape. Brush the pastry strips with egg wash to ensure a glossy, golden finish once baked.
- Bake the Horns: Place the wrapped molds on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 15-20 minutes or until the puff pastry is golden and crisp. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely before carefully sliding the pastry off the molds.
- Make the Italian Cream Filling: Whip the chilled heavy cream with sugar and vanilla extract until soft peaks form. This airy, smooth cream will balance the crispness of the pastry and provide luscious filling.
- Fill the Cannoncini: Using a piping bag fitted with a round tip, gently fill each cooled horn shell generously with the whipped cream mixture to ensure every bite has a rich cream burst.
- Final Touches: Lightly dust the filled cannoncini with powdered sugar for an elegant presentation and a touch of extra sweetness. Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Keep all ingredients, especially heavy cream, cold for better whipping and a firmer filling.
- Do not overlap puff pastry strips too much to allow the dough to puff and become crisp without being dense.
- Use metal molds for even baking and easier removal of the horns.
- Pipe filling gently to avoid overfilling and keep pastry shells crisp.
- Fill cannoncini just before serving to maintain optimal texture and freshness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cannoncino
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 90 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
Keywords: Italian dessert, puff pastry horns, cream filled pastries, cannoncini, easy Italian dessert, party dessert