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Tree Cream Puffs with Pistachio Whipped Cream and Shortbread Stars Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 115 reviews

This festive Tree Cream Puffs recipe features light and airy choux pastry filled with luscious pistachio whipped cream, stacked to resemble a charming Christmas tree topped with delicate shortbread star cookies. Perfect for holiday celebrations, these elegant cream puffs combine a crisp pastry exterior with a rich, nutty filling and buttery shortbread accents for a delightful treat that’s as beautiful as it is delicious.

Ingredients

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For the Choux Pastry

  • 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter
  • 1 cup (240ml) water
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature

For the Pistachio Whipped Cream

  • 1 1/2 cups (360ml) heavy cream, cold
  • 1/2 cup (60g) powdered sugar
  • 1/4 cup (40g) pistachio paste (unsweetened or lightly sweetened)
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1–2 drops green food coloring (optional)

For the Shortbread Stars

  • 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 1/4 cups (155g) all-purpose flour
  • Pinch of salt
  • Powdered sugar, for dusting

Instructions

  1. Make the Shortbread Stars: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking tray with parchment paper. In a mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla extract and mix until fully incorporated. Then add the flour and a pinch of salt, mixing until a soft dough forms. Roll out the dough to about 1/4-inch thickness and use a small star-shaped cutter to cut out cookies. Place the stars on the prepared tray and bake for 8–10 minutes until the edges are lightly golden. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely, then dust lightly with powdered sugar.
  2. Make the Choux Pastry: Increase oven temperature to 400°F (200°C) and line two baking trays with parchment paper. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine butter, water, salt, and sugar; bring to a boil. Once boiling, add all the flour at once and stir vigorously with a wooden spoon for 2–3 minutes until the dough is smooth and pulls away from the pan sides. Transfer dough to a mixing bowl and cool for about 5 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition until dough is glossy and pipeable. Fit a piping bag with a large round or star tip and pipe three sizes of puffs (2-inch, 1.5-inch, and 1-inch rounds) onto prepared trays. Bake for 20–25 minutes until golden brown and firm. Do not open the oven during baking. Cool completely on a wire rack.
  3. Make the Pistachio Whipped Cream: In a large chilled mixing bowl, whip the cold heavy cream at medium-high speed until soft peaks form. Add powdered sugar, pistachio paste, vanilla extract, and optional green food coloring. Continue whipping until stiff peaks form. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
  4. Assemble the Christmas Tree Cream Puffs: Slice each cooled puff horizontally in half. Fit a piping bag with a star tip and fill with pistachio whipped cream. Pipe a generous layer of cream onto the bottom halves of each puff size. Build each tree by stacking the largest puff on the bottom, then the medium, and finally the smallest on top, piping cream between layers to hold them together. Top with a shortbread star cookie. Dust lightly with powdered sugar to create a snowy effect. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.

Notes

  • Ensure eggs are at room temperature before adding to choux dough for better incorporation and dough texture.
  • Do not open the oven while baking the choux pastry to prevent puffs from collapsing.
  • Optional green food coloring gives the whipped cream a festive look but can be omitted for natural pistachio color.
  • Shortbread stars can be made a day ahead and stored in an airtight container.
  • Refrigerate assembled cream puffs and consume within 1-2 days for optimal freshness.

Keywords: Christmas dessert, cream puffs, choux pastry, pistachio whipped cream, holiday treats, shortbread stars, festive desserts

Find it online: https://ricoloranz.com/tree-cream-puffs-with-pistachio-whipped-cream-and-shortbread-stars-recipe/