Ice cream cones with vanilla cream

Vanilla Cream Horns: A Classic Delight, Perfect for Any Occasion

Remember the moments from your childhood when you enjoyed a sweet, crunchy dessert with a velvety vanilla filling. Vanilla cream horns are exactly that dessert that will bring a smile to your face. Easy to prepare but impressive in appearance and taste, this recipe is ideal for delighting your friends and family.

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 20 minutes
Total: 50 minutes
Servings: 10 horns

Ingredients:

*For the horns:*
- 800 g puff pastry dough
- 10 horn molds (metal or improvised from aluminum foil)
- 1 tablespoon sunflower oil
- 1 egg yolk

*For the vanilla cream:*
- 500 ml milk
- 1 packet of vanilla pudding
- 4 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Madagascar vanilla extract
- 150 g butter (85% fat)

*For decoration:*
- 2-3 tablespoons vanilla powdered sugar

I. Preparing the Ingredients

1. Thawing the Dough: Allow the puff pastry to thaw slowly in the refrigerator for a few hours or overnight. This step is essential for achieving a perfect texture.
2. Oil: Make sure you have sunflower oil on hand. This will be used to grease the horn molds so that the dough does not stick.

II. Shaping the Horns

1. Rolling out the Dough: On a floured work surface, roll out the puff pastry into an even layer. Then, cut strips about 1 cm wide along the length of the dough.
2. Preparing the Molds: Grease the horn molds with oil using a brush or paper towel. This step will facilitate the removal of the horns after baking.
3. Rolling the Dough: Start rolling each strip of dough onto the horn mold, beginning at the base and moving up to the tip. It may seem complicated at first, but with a little practice, you will gain skill. If you don’t have metal molds, you can improvise with aluminum foil, but make sure to join them well to form a stable horn.

III. Baking the Horns

1. Preparing for the Oven: Place the horns on a baking tray lined with parchment paper or silicone foil.
2. Egg Wash: Brush each horn with a beaten egg for a golden and appetizing crust.
3. Baking: Preheat the oven to 200°C and bake the horns for about 10 minutes at this temperature, then reduce the temperature to 160°C and let them bake for another 10 minutes. Check them occasionally to avoid burning.

IV. Preparing the Vanilla Cream

1. Boiling the Milk: In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, add 400 ml of milk and bring it to a boil.
2. Mixing the Pudding: In a separate bowl, mix the pudding powder with 100 ml of milk and the 4 tablespoons of brown sugar until you achieve a smooth mixture.
3. Combining the Ingredients: When the milk starts to boil, add the pudding mixture and vanilla extract. Stir vigorously to avoid lumps. Continue stirring until the cream reaches a consistency similar to that of sour cream.
4. Incorporating the Butter: Once the cream is ready, add the room-temperature butter and stir gently until fully incorporated. Let the cream cool for 30 minutes.

V. Filling the Horns

1. Filling: Use a pastry bag or a food bag to fill each horn with the vanilla cream. If using a bag, cut off a corner to facilitate filling.
2. Serving: Arrange the horns on a platter or large plate, dust them with vanilla powdered sugar, and enjoy the delicious result of your labor!

Serving Suggestions and Variations

These vanilla cream horns are excellent as a dessert after a hearty meal or as an afternoon snack. You can serve them alongside a fragrant coffee or a fruit tea. Additionally, you can experiment with different fillings, such as chocolate mousse, caramel cream, or even a combination with fresh fruits.

Nutritional Benefits

Vanilla cream horns are an indulgent dessert, but you don’t have to worry about calories when enjoying them in moderation. The vanilla cream, due to the ingredients used, provides a source of calcium (from milk) and healthy fats (from butter). However, it’s important to enjoy them as part of a balanced lifestyle.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I make this dessert with homemade dough? Yes! If you feel adventurous, you can make puff pastry at home. This will add an extra layer of flavor and texture.
2. How can I store the horns after filling them? It is recommended to consume them immediately after filling, as the dough may become soggy. If you need to keep them, fill them with the vanilla cream just before serving.
3. Can I freeze the horns? Empty horns can be frozen, but the vanilla filling is not recommended to be frozen. You can prepare the cream and keep it in the refrigerator for a few days, then fill the horns when you are ready to serve them.

These vanilla cream horns are an excellent choice for any dessert lover. With a little patience and attention to detail, you will create an unforgettable dessert. Enjoy!