This post is sponsored by Pepperidge Farm. All opinions and the content expressed here are my own.

Contents

Blackberry Lime Buttercream Puffs: Your New Favorite Spring Dessert

Imagine a dessert that’s effortlessly elegant, bursting with fresh, vibrant flavors, and surprisingly simple to create. Look no further than these exquisite **Blackberry Lime Buttercream Puffs**. Sweet, creamy, and wonderfully light, each puff is a delightful bite featuring flaky Pepperidge Farm Puff Pastry, filled with a luscious homemade lime curd, a rich blackberry compote, and topped with a delicate blackberry lime buttercream. This unique flavor combination makes for an unforgettable treat, ideal for welcoming warmer weather and celebrating special moments.

Craving more springtime dessert inspiration? Don’t miss these delightful Lemon Berry Trifles!

Embracing Spring Flavors, Even When Winter Lingers

Just when you think spring has arrived, Mother Nature sometimes has other plans! Picture this: you’ve just “sprung forward” your clocks, anticipating longer, sunnier days, only to wake up to several inches of unexpected snow still falling. It’s enough to make you dream of packing bags for a sunny getaway! This unpredictable weather always gets me thinking about the foods that truly herald the arrival of warmer seasons. For me, nothing quite signals spring and summer like the vibrant taste of fresh berries and the zesty tang of citrus.

My kitchen often becomes a canvas for these bright flavors. I love visiting local farms for berry picking during the summer, and the combination of tart citrus with sweet berries is simply divine in almost any dessert. This passion for fresh, seasonal ingredients was the catalyst for creating this truly special spring dessert, perfect for an Easter brunch table or any occasion where you want to bring a little sunshine indoors.

The Irresistible Allure of Blackberry and Lime

My journey to these Blackberry Lime Buttercream Puffs began with a serendipitous find: a bounty of lemons available at an incredible price. Naturally, I stocked up and whipped up a batch of homemade lemon curd. But then inspiration struck! Why stop at lemons when limes offer such a unique and refreshing zest? While lemon is undeniably delicious and a classic pairing with many berries, I felt it was time to explore a slightly different, equally enchanting combination. The rich, deep sweetness of blackberries, when met with the bright, sharp notes of lime curd, creates a harmonious flavor profile that is truly captivating.

This delightful duo forms the heart of these elegant puffs. The tartness of the lime curd cuts through the sweetness, providing a perfect balance, while the blackberry compote adds a burst of fruity goodness and a beautiful color. Together, these elements transform simple puff pastry into an extraordinary dessert experience that looks as impressive as it tastes.

The Secret Ingredient: Pepperidge Farm Puff Pastry

Let’s talk about the unsung hero of this recipe: Pepperidge Farm® Puff Pastry Sheets. This product is truly a game-changer for anyone looking to create elegant desserts or quick appetizers without the fuss. I always keep a box or two in my freezer because its versatility is unmatched. From savory applications like gourmet sausage rolls or cheesy breadsticks dusted with bruschetta seasoning, to sweet treats like fruit tarts or these exquisite puffs, Pepperidge Farm Puff Pastry elevates any dish with its signature flaky, golden layers.

Using ready-made puff pastry means you can bypass the time-consuming and often intimidating process of making pastry from scratch. This significantly reduces your preparation time, allowing you to focus on the delicious fillings and the final presentation. For these Blackberry Lime Buttercream Puffs, the pastry bakes up light, airy, and incredibly flaky, creating the perfect delicate shell for our creamy, fruity interior. It’s the ultimate shortcut to sophistication!

Crafting Your Puffs: A Symphony of Flavors and Textures

What makes these Blackberry Lime Buttercream Puffs truly special is the combination of homemade components paired with the convenience of store-bought puff pastry. While the pastry bakes to golden perfection in the oven, you can easily whip up the two stars of the filling: a vibrant blackberry compote and a dreamy blackberry lime buttercream. The entire process, from start to finish, can be completed in approximately 30 minutes, making this an ideal recipe for busy hosts or anyone wanting an impressive dessert without spending hours in the kitchen.

The Homemade Lime Curd: A Zesty Delight

Our lime curd is a simple yet impactful creation. Combining fresh lime juice, sugar, egg yolks, and butter, it’s whisked gently over medium heat until it thickens into a silky, glossy custard. A final stir of fresh lime zest intensifies its aromatic punch, delivering that irresistible sweet-tart balance. Chilling the curd not only sets its texture but also deepens its bright flavor, making it a refreshing counterpoint to the sweet berries.

The Sweet Blackberry Compote: A Burst of Fruity Goodness

This quick blackberry compote is equally straightforward. Fresh blackberries are simmered with a touch of sugar and water until they soften and burst, releasing their juicy essence. Pressing the compote through a fine-mesh strainer yields a smooth, intensely flavored sauce – a concentrated essence of blackberry that we’ll incorporate into our buttercream and use as a layer in our puffs. This step ensures a refined texture and potent fruit flavor.

Assembling the Perfect Puff: Light, Flaky, and Filled with Joy

Once your puff pastry circles are baked to a beautiful golden brown and cooled, the assembly begins. A serrated knife gently divides each puff, creating two perfect halves ready for their delicious filling. The star of the show, the blackberry lime buttercream, is then piped onto the bottom half. This buttercream is a revelation: fluffy butter and cream cheese whipped with our homemade lime curd, a hint of vanilla, and that luscious blackberry compote sauce, all sweetened with powdered sugar to a stable, pipeable consistency. Its rich flavor complements the tart lime curd beautifully.

Layering is key: a dollop of our smooth, concentrated blackberry compote can be added over the buttercream for an extra burst of fruit, or simply let the buttercream carry the flavor. Crown each filled base with its flaky top, and for that extra touch of elegance, a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of fresh lime zest truly elevate the presentation, making each puff a miniature work of art.

Perfect for Any Special Occasion

These Blackberry Lime Buttercream Puffs aren’t just delicious; they possess an undeniable charm that makes them suitable for a wide array of celebratory events. Their elegant appearance and sophisticated flavor profile make them a standout dessert at any gathering. Imagine serving these at a sister’s wedding shower, a best friend’s baby shower, or as the crowning jewel on your in-laws’ Easter table. They are also an absolutely perfect choice for a Mother’s Day brunch, offering a light, refreshing, and thoughtful treat for the special moms in your life.

Their versatility extends beyond formal events too. Host a casual spring tea party, bring them to a potluck where you want to impress, or simply prepare them for a delightful weekend treat at home. The “wow” factor is guaranteed, and no one will guess how quickly and easily they came together, thanks to the magic of Pepperidge Farm Puff Pastry.

A perfectly baked Puff Pastry shell, ready to be filled with delicious buttercream and compote.

Print Recipe

Blackberry Lime Buttercream Puffs

Prep Time: 10 mins

Cook Time: 15 mins

Total Time: 25 mins

Author: Strawberry Blondie Kitchen – Megan Marlowe

Yields: 12 servings

These elegant yet simple Blackberry Lime Buttercream Puffs are sweet, creamy, and incredibly light. They’re filled with a bright homemade lime curd and a fresh blackberry compote, all nestled inside golden, flaky puff pastry. A perfect dessert for any occasion, especially springtime celebrations!

Ingredients

For the Homemade Lime Curd:

2 tablespoons fresh lime zest (divided for curd and garnish)
6 tablespoons fresh lime juice (from about 4 large limes)
1/3 cup granulated sugar
4 large egg yolks
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, diced

For the Blackberry Compote:

8 ounces fresh blackberries
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1/2 tablespoon water

For the Blackberry Lime Buttercream Puffs:

1 package Pepperidge Farm Puff Pastry Sheets, thawed
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour (for dusting)
1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup prepared lime curd (homemade or good quality store-bought)
1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
2 1/2 – 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
Optional garnishes: fresh whipped cream, extra lime zest, fresh blackberries

Instructions

Part 1: Prepare the Homemade Lime Curd

In a small saucepan, combine the lime juice, 1/3 cup sugar, egg yolks, and diced butter over medium heat.
Continuously whisk the mixture until it comes to a gentle boil and thickens significantly, enough to coat the back of a spoon (this usually takes 5-7 minutes).
Remove from heat and transfer the lime curd to a clean bowl. Stir in 1 tablespoon of the reserved lime zest. Cover the surface with plastic wrap (to prevent a skin from forming) and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled, at least 1 hour.

Part 2: Prepare the Blackberry Compote

In another small saucepan, combine the 8 ounces of blackberries, 1 tablespoon sugar, and 1/2 tablespoon water over medium-high heat.
Cook for about 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the blackberries begin to soften and burst, releasing their juices.
Remove from heat. For a smooth compote, press the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into a clean bowl, using the back of a spoon to extract all the liquid. Discard the seeds and solids.
Allow the smooth blackberry compote sauce to cool completely to room temperature. You should have approximately 1/4 cup of sauce.

Part 3: Bake the Puff Pastry Shells

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
Lightly flour a clean work surface. Unroll one thawed Pepperidge Farm Puff Pastry Sheet and gently roll or stretch it into a 10 x 10-inch square.
Using a 2 1/2-inch round biscuit cutter, cut out 12 circles from the pastry. Place these circles onto your prepared baking sheet.
Repeat the cutting procedure with the second Puff Pastry Sheet. Carefully place these new circles directly on top of the circles already on the baking sheet, creating double-layered puffs. Lightly brush the tops of the puffs with a little water (or an egg wash for a richer golden color and shine).
Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until the puffs are beautifully golden brown and well-risen.
Transfer the baked puffs to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, use a serrated knife to carefully slice each puff in half horizontally.

Part 4: Prepare the Blackberry Lime Buttercream and Assemble

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, add the 1/2 cup unsalted butter (at room temperature). Beat on medium-high speed for 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy.
Add the softened cream cheese, 1/4 cup of the chilled lime curd, vanilla bean paste, and 1/4 cup of the cooled blackberry compote sauce to the butter mixture. Beat until well combined.
With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the sifted powdered sugar, 1/2 cup at a time, until your desired consistency is reached. (Using all 3 cups will result in a firmer buttercream, ideal for stable piping.)
Once all ingredients are combined, increase the mixer speed to high and whip for another 2 to 3 minutes until the buttercream is incredibly light, airy, and fluffy.
Transfer the blackberry lime buttercream to a piping bag fitted with a Wilton 2D star tip (or your preferred decorative tip). Pipe a generous swirl of buttercream onto the bottom half of each cooled puff.
Gently place the top half of each puff over the buttercream filling. For a truly beautiful finish, garnish with a small dollop of fresh whipped cream, a sprinkle of fresh lime zest, and a few fresh blackberries. Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator.

Notes

*Lime curd recipe slightly adapted from Rachael Ray Magazine.

For best results, ensure butter and cream cheese are at room temperature for the buttercream.

These puffs are best served fresh, but can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Course: Dessert

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 1 puff

Amount Per Serving
Calories 297
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 16 g		25%
	Saturated Fat 8 g	40%
Cholesterol 44 mg		15%
Sodium 162 mg		7%
Total Carbohydrates 37 g		12%
	Dietary Fiber 2 g	8%
	Sugars 21 g
Protein 4 g		8%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Tips for Perfect Puff Pastry Desserts

**Thaw Properly:** Ensure your Pepperidge Farm Puff Pastry Sheets are thawed in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature for about 30-40 minutes before unfolding. Don’t let it get too warm, or it will be sticky and hard to work with.
**Keep it Cold:** Puff pastry bakes best when it’s cold. Work quickly and consider chilling your cut pastry circles for 10-15 minutes before baking, especially if your kitchen is warm.
**Don’t Overwork:** Handle the pastry as little as possible to maintain its flaky layers. Overworking can compress the layers and prevent a good rise.
**Even Baking:** Rotate your baking sheet halfway through the baking time to ensure even browning across all puffs.
**Flavor Variations:** While blackberry and lime are divine, feel free to experiment! Raspberry and lemon, strawberry and orange, or even a mixed berry compote with a vanilla bean buttercream would be equally delicious. The possibilities are endless!
**Make Ahead Components:** Both the lime curd and blackberry compote can be made a day or two in advance and stored in airtight containers in the refrigerator, making assembly even quicker on the day you plan to serve. The buttercream can also be made ahead and stored, then re-whipped lightly before piping.

A Delightful Dessert, Effortlessly Achieved

With the incredible convenience of Pepperidge Farm Puff Pastry Sheets, these Blackberry Lime Buttercream Puffs come together surprisingly quickly, making you look like a culinary genius without all the effort. They emerge from the oven light, exquisitely airy, beautifully flaky, and deliciously golden brown – a little secret trick can be an egg wash for an extra golden sheen! The visual appeal is simply stunning, and the taste is even better.

While the blackberry and lime combination is a truly captivating springtime symphony, remember that the beauty of these puffs lies in their adaptability. You can fill them with virtually any combination of curds, compotes, and buttercreams you can imagine. But for a taste that will have you singing a happy spring tune, this Blackberry Lime pairing is an absolute winner!

Blackberry Lime Cream Puffs