Cream and Berry Pastry Balls

Cream and Berry Pastry Balls are light, elegant treats made with airy pastry shells, a smooth cream filling, and a sweet-tart berry compote. They’re perfect for parties, holidays, or anytime you want a dessert that looks impressive but tastes even better. Each bite combines crisp pastry, creamy filling, and fresh berry flavor.

Ingredients

For the Pastry

• Water – 1 cup

• Unsalted butter – ½ cup

• All-purpose flour – 1 cup

• Large eggs – 4

• Salt – a pinch

For the Cream Filling

• Mascarpone or cream cheese – 1 cup

• Heavy whipping cream – ½ cup

• Powdered sugar – ⅓ cup

• Vanilla extract – 1 teaspoon

• Lemon zest – zest of 1 lemon (optional)

For the Berry Compote

• Mixed berries (blueberries, raspberries, strawberries) – 1 cup

• Granulated sugar – 2 teaspoons

• Lemon juice – 1 tablespoon

Optional Toppings

• Melted white chocolate

• Chopped nuts or sprinkles

• Powdered sugar for dusting

Instructions

Prepare the Pastry

1. Heat the Base
   Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). In a saucepan, bring the water, butter, and salt to a rolling boil. Add the flour all at once and stir quickly until the dough forms a smooth ball and pulls away from the sides.

2. Add the Eggs
   Transfer the dough to a mixing bowl and let it cool slightly. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, until the dough is smooth and shiny.

3. Bake the Pastry Balls
   Spoon or pipe small mounds of dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 20–25 minutes, until puffed and golden. Let them cool completely before filling.

Make the Berry Compote

4. Cook the Berries
   In a small saucepan, combine the berries, sugar, and lemon juice. Cook over medium heat for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the berries soften and the mixture thickens. Remove from heat and cool.

Prepare the Cream Filling

5. Mix the Base
   In a bowl, beat the mascarpone (or cream cheese) with powdered sugar, vanilla, and lemon zest until smooth.

6. Lighten the Filling
   Whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Gently fold it into the mascarpone mixture until light and fluffy.

Assemble the Pastry Balls

7. Fill the Pastries
   Slice each cooled pastry puff in half and pipe or spoon the cream filling inside.

8. Add the Berry Compote
   Spoon a small amount of berry compote over the cream.

9. Decorate (Optional)
   Dip the tops in melted white chocolate and roll in chopped nuts or sprinkles. Dust with powdered sugar just before serving.

Conclusion

Cream and Berry Pastry Balls are a beautiful dessert that delivers big flavor in a small bite. With their crisp pastry, creamy filling, and fruity topping, they’re guaranteed to impress guests and satisfy sweet cravings. Serve them fresh and enjoy every delicious bite!