Last Updated on January 31, 2023
Today, we elevate an old-school puff pastry shells dessert recipe. Our recipe is filled with chocolate custard, chantilly cream, and fresh mixed berries.
This is a relatively quick dessert considering the elements it contains. And, it is surprisingly easy to make for both beginner and advanced cooks.
Pepperidge Farm Puff Pastry Shells Dessert Recipes
Pepperidge Farm is well-known for its wide selection of pre-made or easy-to-make baked goods. Their puff pastry has been around for as long as we can remember. And nationwide it is known as one of the best ready-made puff pastries out there.
Naturally, as most brands do these days, Pepperidge Farm released a ton of recipes on their blog that specifically uses their products. One category that caught our eye was filled with recipes using puff pastry shells. When we say there are pages and pages of recipe options, we aren’t exaggerating!
They included both savory and sweet options, each having a ton of different recipes for fillings for puff pastry shells. Some examples include their Chocolate-Dipper Shell Sundaes, Piña Colada Shells, and Cheesecake-Filled Apple Pie Shells.
Now, no one denies that their range isn’t unique, creative, and absolutely delicious. But the one option we wanted we couldn’t find, and that was puff pastry desserts with berries. There only seems to be one or two berry options, but they were pretty basic.
So, we decided we’d make our own!
About our delicious puff pastry shells dessert recipe
So, our puff pastry shells dessert recipe has 4 main elements. You first have the puff pastry shell, which we make using Pepperidge Farm puff pastry sheets.
Then, we have a delicious chocolate custard base, which fills about half of the shell. It will add a deliciously sweet and creamy filling and naturally, sweet and chocolatey flavors.
The chocolate custard is topped with some classic refreshing chantilly cream. And finally, it is all topped off with fresh mixed berries and mint leaves.
While this puff pastry shells dessert recipe sounds complex and time-consuming, it only tastes like it! It is very easy and surprisingly quick. Especially after all of the elements have been prepared. So, let’s take a look at how you can make these at home.
What You Will Need For This Puff Pastry Shells Dessert Recipe
Ingredients for the chocolate custard
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 3 ounces high-quality semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
- 2 large egg yolks, room temperature
Ingredients for the puff pastry shells
- 1 package Pepperidge Farm Puff Pastry Shells
- 1 large egg, beaten
- Granulated white sugar
Ingredients for the chantilly cream
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 1/2 tablespoon caster sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Ingredients for the toppings
- Mixed fresh berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
- Fresh mint leaves
- Powdered icing sugar, for dusting
Equipment
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Mixing bowls
- Medium saucepan
- Rubber or silicone spatula
- Whisk
- Fine-mesh sieve
- Plastic or saran wrap
- Baking sheet
- Non-stick baking paper
- Pastry brush
- Cooling rack
- Electric whisk
- Piping bag with a nozzle
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Make the chocolate custard
Add the cream to a medium saucepan. Then, slowly heat the cream until it starts to gently simmer. Once it reaches this point, remove it from the heat, add the chocolate, and gently mix the ingredients together. Keep mixing until all the chocolate has been melted. Set aside.
Then, whisk the egg yolks in a medium bowl. Slowly, and in a thin stream, whisk in the warm chocolate mixture. Keep whisking until all of your chocolate has been added to the egg yolks.
Next, place this mixture back in the saucepan over medium heat. Cook it for 8-10 minutes while whisking constantly. The mixture should be ready when it bubbles (not boiling) and has thickened.
Step 2: Strain and cool the chocolate custard
Strain the chocolate custard through a fine-meshed sieve. Then, pour it into a large bowl and place a sheet of plastic wrap directly on the custard’s surface.
Allow the custard to chill in the fridge for 1 hour.
Step 3: Make the puff pastry shells
Preheat your oven to 425ºF (220ºC). Line a baking sheet with non-stick baking paper.
Then, place the 6 puff pastry shells on the baking sheet. brush each with beaten egg on the top and sides. Then, sprinkle some sugar over the tops.
Bake the pastry shells for about 20 minutes or until they have risen and are beautifully golden brown. Remove them from the oven and allow them to cool completely at room temperature.
Step 4: Make the chantilly cream
Add all of the chantilly cream ingredients to a large mixing bowl. Then, whisk the mixture for roughly 3-5 minutes or until it has reached medium peaks.
Place the mixture into the fridge until you are ready to assemble your puff pastry shells dessert recipe.
Step 5: Assemble your fresh berry puff pastry shells
To start, all your elements should be completely cooled. Whisk your chocolate custard well and place it inside a piping bag. You can cut the tip of the bag off or use a piping nozzle. Place the chantilly cream inside a piping bag as well.
Place the baked cooled puff pastry shells on a flat surface. Then, fill each a third to halfway with chocolate custard. Top the custard with chantilly cream. Add fresh mixed berries on top and a mint leaf. Then, dust the mixture with powdered sugar and serve immediately.
Expert Tips And Tricks
- You can store any leftover chocolate custard inside the fridge for about 3-4 days. But, you’ll likely not have any leftovers – it’s that good!
- If you bake the puff pastry shells in advance, you can re-crisp them in the oven. Bake them for about 5-8 minutes until they have their crispy texture again.
- Once these puff pastry shells have been assembled, they do not store very well. But, that’s why we only made 6. This is the perfect amount to finish between 2 or 3 people in one sitting. Once they are stored in the fridge, there is no way to get the pastry crunchy again without melting the custard and cream.
Preparations Times And Servings
| Preparation Times | Baking Times | Servings |
| 1 hour 15 minutes | 20 minutes | 6 |
Final Thoughts On Our Puff Pastry Shells Dessert Recipe
We are sure that you’ll fall in love with this chocolate very puff pastry shells dessert recipe. You can let us know in the comments below. And, don’t forget to go check out some of our other amazing dessert recipes!