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Decadent Espresso Cream Puffs: Your Perfect Treat for Any Occasion

This post is proudly sponsored by Pepperidge Farm. While I receive compensation for this collaboration, all opinions, recipes, and enthusiasm for these delightful Espresso Cream Puffs are entirely my own.

Imagine a delicate, airy pastry shell giving way to a rich, sweet vanilla mascarpone filling, all crowned with a luxurious chocolate espresso sauce. That’s precisely what these incredible Espresso Cream Puffs deliver. They are more than just a dessert; they are bite-sized moments of pure indulgence – elegant enough for the most sophisticated gathering, yet surprisingly simple to create for any home baker. Whether you’re a seasoned pastry chef or a novice in the kitchen, these cream puffs are designed to impress with minimal effort.

If your heart beats for light and fluffy desserts, you might also adore these vibrant Blackberry Lime Buttercream Puffs, offering another delightful twist on a classic treat. But today, our focus is firmly on the intoxicating combination of coffee and chocolate that makes these espresso-infused delights utterly irresistible.

Embracing Spring with Exquisite Espresso Cream Puffs

The world outside is awakening from its winter slumber. Daylight Savings has ushered in longer evenings, the cheerful chirping of birds greets me each morning, and garden centers are brimming with promising flower seedlings. All these signs unequivocally point to one delightful truth: Spring is officially on the horizon! There’s an undeniable energy in the air, a sense of renewal that inspires everything from our wardrobes to our dessert menus.

I confess, I have a deep affection for Spring and all the charming traditions it brings, yes, even setting the clocks forward! Few things bring a smile to my face quite like seeing the sun still casting its golden glow at 7 PM. However, these exquisite Espresso Cream Puffs come in a very close second – a testament to their exceptional taste and ability to brighten any day.

To celebrate the glorious arrival of the new season, I’m eagerly preparing to host a much-anticipated Brunch and Mimosas party at my home this weekend. It’s the perfect occasion to gather loved ones, rekindle friendships after the long winter, and simply bask in some much-needed relaxation and delicious food. As I planned the menu, I knew I needed a show-stopping dessert that would complement the festive mimosas and savory bites.

Given our early start time of 10 AM, a hint of coffee seemed not just appropriate but absolutely essential to awaken the senses. And what pairs better with coffee than the rich, comforting notes of chocolate? This perfect synergy inspired me to combine two of my all-time favorite flavors into one harmonious creation: these divine Espresso Cream Puffs. They promise to be the star of the dessert table, offering a sophisticated yet utterly comforting finish to our springtime celebration.

The Versatile Charm of Espresso Cream Puffs

What makes these delightful pastries truly special is their incredible versatility. While they are undoubtedly perfect for joyous Spring entertaining and festive Easter celebrations, their classic appeal knows no seasonal bounds. Imagine them gracing a holiday cookie tray during Christmas or serving as an elegant finish to a cozy autumn dinner. These mini marvels are a timeless dessert, guaranteed to be a hit no matter the occasion or time of year.

Effortless Elegance with Pepperidge Farm Puff Pastry

The secret to achieving such impressive results with minimal effort lies in a kitchen staple I genuinely adore: Pepperidge Farm® Puff Pastry Sheets. This incredible product truly is a game-changer. It eliminates all the arduous work typically associated with creating a delicate, flaky pastry from scratch, delivering perfectly prepared sheets conveniently packaged in your freezer section. With just a quick 20-minute thaw, you’re ready to start rolling and crafting these delicious treats.

From start to finish, these Espresso Cream Puffs come together in surprisingly little time – often less than 20 minutes of active prep, excluding baking. This efficiency is a lifesaver when you’re hosting. Entertaining can often be a whirlwind of details and last-minute stresses, but with this recipe, dessert preparation won’t be one of them. You can focus on your guests and other party essentials, confident that a truly delectable finale is effortlessly underway.

The Heart of the Puff: A Dreamy Mascarpone Filling

At the core of each golden-baked cream puff lies a lusciously smooth mascarpone filling. This rich, Italian cream cheese forms the perfect base, offering a subtle tang that beautifully balances the sweetness. To elevate the flavor profile, I incorporate premium Nielssen Massey Tahitian Vanilla extract, known for its sweet, floral, and fruity notes. For an extra touch of gourmet sophistication and those charming visual speckles, I often add a bit of pure vanilla bean paste. The combination creates a filling that is both indulgent and incredibly fresh, a creamy cloud that melts in your mouth.

Finishing Touch: The Bittersweet Espresso Chocolate Sauce

As if the delicate pastry and the creamy vanilla mascarpone filling weren’t enough, these cream puffs are crowned with an utterly irresistible bittersweet espresso chocolate sauce. This rich, glossy glaze is the perfect counterpoint, adding depth and a sophisticated hint of bitterness that enhances every sweet note. Drizzled generously over each puff, it’s the element that truly sends these desserts over the top, transforming them into an unforgettable culinary experience. Oh, yes, indeed! This espresso chocolate sauce is the final flourish that makes these treats genuinely remarkable.

These Espresso Cream Puffs are, without a doubt, what dessert dreams are made of!

8 votes

Espresso Cream Puffs

Prep 5 mins

Cook 20 hours

Total 20 hours, 5 mins

Author Megan | Strawberry Blondie Kitchen

Yield 16 servings

These Espresso Cream Puffs are filled with a sweet vanilla mascarpone filling and topped with a chocolate espresso sauce. Decadent bite sized cream puffs, elegant and easy enough for any occasion!

Ingredients

1 package Puff Pastry Sheets, thawed
1 tablespoons flour
1/2 ounces mascarpone cheese
1 cup whipping cream, divided
1 teaspoon Nielssen Massey Tahitian Vanilla extract
1 teaspoon pure vanilla bean paste (optional, if not using, increase vanilla extract to 2 tsps.)
3 tablespoons sugar
4 ounces bittersweet chocolate
2 teaspoons ground espresso or instant coffee granules

Instructions

Heat oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a Silpat.
Sprinkle flour onto surface and roll out 1 Puff Pastry Sheet into a 10 x 10″ square.
Using a 2 1/2″ biscuit cutter, cut 12 circles out and place onto prepared baking sheet. Brush the tops with water.
Repeat cutting procedure with last Puff Pastry Sheet. Place circles on top of first circles to make double layered circles. *
Bake in oven for 15 minutes or until golden brown.
Meanwhile into the bowl of your stand mixer or a large bowl, place mascarpone cheese, ½ cup whipping cream, vanilla extract and vanilla bean paste, if using and beat for 2 minutes, on medium speed, until combined. Turn mixer down to low and add sugar and beat for 2 additional minutes.
Place mixture into a piping bag or Ziploc bag fitted with a Wilton 2D tip. Set aside.
When cream puffs are cooled, using a serrated knife, cut puffs in half.
Pipe the vanilla cream onto the bottom of each puff and then place on the top half.
Into a small bowl, add bittersweet chocolate.
Into another small bowl or liquid measuring cut add remaining heavy whipping cream and microwave for 1 minute. Stir in ground espresso or coffee. Pour mixture on top of chocolate and stir to combine.
Drizzle espresso chocolate sauce over cream puffs and allow to sit for 1-2 minutes to allow the chocolate to firm up.

*From the scraps, I placed leftover puff pastry into a ball and rerolled it out to create 4 additional cream puffs resulting in 16 servings.

Courses Dessert

The Perfect Treat for Every Gathering

I absolutely cannot wait for my friends to taste these heavenly Espresso Cream Puffs this weekend at our Brunch and Mimosas party. The anticipation is building, and I promise to share all the details and highlights from the party right here on the blog, so stay tuned – it’s going to be a fantastic celebration!

Beyond our weekend brunch, I’m already planning to prepare a beautiful tray of these delights to take to my in-laws’ house for Easter. The sheer ease of this recipe means I don’t have to stress over what to bring for a holiday gathering. Knowing I can whip up such an elegant and universally loved dessert with minimal fuss is a true blessing during busy times.

Why Pepperidge Farm Puff Pastry is Your Kitchen Hero

Seriously, do yourself a favor: head to your local grocery store and stock up on Pepperidge Farm® Puff Pastry. Keeping a few boxes in your freezer is like having a secret weapon in your culinary arsenal. It’s incredibly versatile, perfect for whipping up everything from quick appetizers to exquisite sweet and savory dishes. It’s truly a lifesaver when you’re in a pinch, transforming simple ingredients into something special in no time. Beyond desserts, we frequently use it to create flaky, golden tops for savory dishes like chicken pot pies, adding that irresistible crunch and flavor.

For more mouth-watering inspiration and creative ways to use puff pastry, don’t forget to explore Pepperidge Farm’s Pinterest page. It’s absolutely brimming with delicious recipes and innovative ideas that will spark your culinary imagination.

Moreover, their dedicated brunch section on the website is an invaluable resource, packed with recipes and tips that will help you get a delightful jump-start on all your entertaining needs, ensuring every gathering is a memorable success.

Creamy Espresso Clouds