Easy Italian Cream Stuffed Cannoncini Recipe

Dreamy Italian Cream Stuffed Cannoncini Recipe for Sweet Bliss

Delicate pastry shells cradle a silky easy Italian cream stuffed cannoncini, promising a delightful journey through classic Italian dessert traditions.

These golden, crisp tubes of pure indulgence will transport you straight to a charming Italian bakery.

Whispers of vanilla and smooth cream dance within each delicate pastry, creating a symphony of flavors that enchant the senses.

The light, airy texture contrasts beautifully with the rich, velvety filling that melts effortlessly on your tongue.

Elegant yet surprisingly simple to prepare, these cannoncini turn an ordinary afternoon into a sweet celebration.

Pastry lovers and dessert enthusiasts will fall in love with this irresistible treat that brings a touch of Italian magic to your kitchen.

Easy Italian Cream Stuffed Cannoncini Treats

  • Whip Up Quick Delights: Homemade cannoncini offer a delightful dessert experience that feels like a professional bakery treat right in your kitchen.
  • Craft Impressive Pastries: Despite looking complicated, these Italian cream-filled pastries are surprisingly simple to make, allowing even novice bakers to create stunning desserts that will wow friends and family.
  • Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for special occasions like dinner parties, birthdays, or casual gatherings, these cannoncini appeal to all ages with their creamy custard and crispy golden pastry shell.
  • Customize with Ease: Sprinkle powdered sugar, add chocolate drizzle, or experiment with different flavored custards to make this recipe uniquely yours and keep everyone coming back for more.

Italian Cream Cannoncini Ingredient Shortlist

Main Ingredients:

Pastry Base:
  • Puff Pastry: A delicate, layered pastry that creates a light and crispy shell for the cannoncini.
  • Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a golden-brown exterior when baking.
Custard Filling:
  • Milk: Provides the creamy base and smooth texture for the custard.
  • Egg Yolks: Create a rich and velvety custard with a luxurious consistency.
  • Flour: Helps thicken the custard and provides structure.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds a classic, aromatic flavor to the custard.
Binding and Finishing Ingredients:
  • Egg: Used to create an egg wash that gives the pastry a beautiful golden sheen.
  • Powdered Sugar: Provides a light, sweet dusting for the final presentation.
  • Water: Helps create the egg wash for brushing the pastry.

Baking Cream Cannoncini Quick Steps

Step 1: Whisk Custard Base

In a medium saucepan, combine egg yolks, sugar, vanilla extract, and flour.

Whisk until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, creating a smooth foundation for your creamy filling.

Step 2: Warm Milk Mixture

Gently heat milk until hot but not boiling.

Slowly pour the warm milk into the egg mixture, whisking continuously to prevent any lumpy texture from forming.

Step 3: Thicken Custard Cream

Place the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly.

Watch as the custard gradually thickens and begins to bubble.

Reduce heat and cook for an additional few minutes until it reaches a perfect, creamy consistency.

Step 4: Chill Custard

Transfer the custard to a glass bowl.

Cover with plastic wrap, pressing directly onto the surface to prevent a skin from forming.

Refrigerate for at least one hour to cool completely.

Step 5: Prepare Pastry Dough

Preheat the oven to 400F (200C).

Sprinkle sugar on your work surface and the puff pastry.

Roll out the pastry into a 9 by 12 inch rectangle.

Carefully slice into 12 equal strips, each about 1 inch wide.

Step 6: Shape Pastry Cones

Wrap each pastry strip around a horn-shaped mold, overlapping the pastry halfway down.

Position on a parchment-lined baking sheet with the strip’s end facing downward.

Step 7: Apply Egg Wash

Create an egg wash by beating an egg with water.

Gently brush each pastry cone, taking care to avoid the metal mold to ensure easy removal later.

Step 8: Bake to Golden Perfection

Bake for 15-20 minutes until the pastry turns a beautiful golden brown.

Allow to cool slightly, then carefully remove from the molds by gently twisting and squeezing if needed.

Step 9: Fill and Garnish

Just before serving, pipe the chilled custard into the crispy pastry cones.

Dust with a light sprinkle of powdered sugar for an elegant finishing touch.

Cream Cannoncini Tips For Creaminess

  • Whisk egg yolks and sugar thoroughly to create a smooth, lump-free base for your cream, ensuring a silky texture in every bite.
  • Dust your work surface with sugar and use parchment paper to help pastry strips release easily from metal molds during baking.
  • Apply egg wash delicately around pastry edges, avoiding metal molds to ensure clean removal and achieve a beautiful golden-brown finish.
  • Cover custard directly with plastic wrap to prevent skin formation and chill completely for the best piping consistency.
  • If pastry sticks, gently squeeze the metal mold and twist to create more space, making removal smoother without damaging delicate shells.

Italian Cream Cannoncini Filling Flavors

  • Chocolate Cream Cannoncini: Replace vanilla custard with rich chocolate cream by adding cocoa powder to the custard base, creating a decadent chocolate-filled pastry.
  • Almond-Infused Cannoncini: Enhance the cream with almond extract and sprinkle crushed almonds on top for a nutty flavor profile that complements the delicate pastry.
  • Gluten-Free Cannoncini: Use gluten-free puff pastry and replace wheat flour in the custard with cornstarch or arrowroot powder to accommodate gluten-sensitive diets.
  • Vegan Coconut Cream Cannoncini: Swap dairy milk with coconut milk, use cornstarch instead of eggs, and create a plant-based custard filling for a dairy-free alternative.

Best Ways To Serve Cannoncini

  • Sweet Breakfast Companion: Pair these delicate cannoncini with a rich, smooth cappuccino or espresso for an authentic Italian morning treat.
  • Elegant Dessert Platter: Arrange cannoncini alongside fresh berries, mint leaves, and a drizzle of dark chocolate sauce to create a stunning dessert presentation.
  • Afternoon Tea Delight: Serve these pastries on a beautiful ceramic plate during afternoon tea, complemented by light conversation and soft background music.
  • Party Centerpiece: Create a stunning dessert table by clustering cannoncini on multi-level cake stands, allowing guests to enjoy these elegant Italian pastries as a showstopping finale.

Store Italian Cream Cannoncini Correctly

  • Store the custard cream in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep it tightly sealed to prevent absorbing other food odors and maintain its smooth texture.
  • Keep baked cannoncini shells at room temperature in a sealed container for 1-2 days. Place a paper towel inside to absorb any moisture and maintain their crispy texture.
  • Freeze unfilled pastry shells in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 weeks. Wrap each shell individually in plastic wrap to prevent freezer burn and maintain their delicate shape.
  • Never store filled cannoncini, as the cream will make the pastry soggy. Always fill the shells just before serving to keep them crisp and delightful.

FAQs

  • What are cannoncini?

Cannoncini are classic Italian pastry cones made from puff pastry, typically filled with sweet custard cream. They originated in Italy and are known for their delicate, crispy exterior and creamy interior.

  • Do I need special equipment to make cannoncini?

You’ll need horn-shaped metal molds (cone-shaped) to create the distinctive tubular shape. If you don’t have these, you can sometimes use aluminum foil rolled into a cone shape as an alternative.

  • How do I know when my custard cream is the right consistency?

The custard is ready when it coats the back of a spoon and leaves a clear path when you run your finger through it. It should be thick but still smooth and not lumpy.

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Easy Italian Cream Stuffed Cannoncini Recipe

Easy Italian Cream Stuffed Cannoncini Recipe


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4.6 from 33 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

Delicate Cannoncini, a beloved Italian pastry, weaves creamy elegance into delightful crescents of pure indulgence. Crisp puff pastry embraces silky cream, promising a sweet escape that whispers authentic Italian charm with each heavenly bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 8 oz (235 ml) milk
  • 1 sheet puff pastry, defrosted (about 8 oz/225 g)
  • 1 egg

Cream Components:

  • 3 egg yolks
  • 1/2 cup (100 g) sugar
  • 3 tablespoons (30 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Finishing Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup (50 g) sugar
  • Powdered sugar

Instructions

  1. Craft the velvety custard by gently heating milk until steaming. Whisk egg yolks, sugar, vanilla, and flour in a saucepan until smooth and pale.
  2. Slowly incorporate hot milk into egg mixture, whisking continuously to prevent clumping. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until mixture thickens and begins to bubble, about 3-4 minutes.
  3. Transfer custard to a clean bowl, press plastic wrap directly onto surface to prevent skin formation. Refrigerate for minimum 1 hour until completely chilled.
  4. Preheat oven to 400F. Dust work surface with sugar and roll puff pastry into a thin 9×12 inch rectangle. Slice pastry into 12 uniform strips, approximately 1 inch wide.
  5. Carefully wrap each pastry strip around conical metal molds, ensuring slight overlap midway. Position strips on parchment-lined baking sheet with pastry end facing downward.
  6. Create egg wash by blending egg with water. Delicately brush pastry surfaces, avoiding metal molds to prevent sticking.
  7. Bake for 15-20 minutes until pastry achieves golden-brown perfection. Allow brief cooling before gently extracting from molds, twisting if necessary to release.
  8. Immediately prior to serving, pipe chilled custard into crisp pastry shells. Optionally dust with powdered sugar for elegant presentation.

Notes

  • Customize Custard Thickness Adjust cooking time to achieve desired consistency, stirring constantly to prevent burning or lumping.
  • Prevent Pastry Sticking Ensure metal molds are lightly greased or use non-stick silicone molds for easier removal.
  • Make Ahead Friendly Prepare custard and pastry shells separately up to two days in advance, storing them separately in airtight containers to maintain crispness.
  • Dairy-Free Adaptation Replace milk with almond or coconut milk, using cornstarch instead of flour for a lighter, allergen-friendly cream filling.
  • Prep Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 296
  • Sugar: 24 g
  • Sodium: 34 mg
  • Fat: 15 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 35 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 94 mg
Lena Martinez

Lena Martinez

Contributing Writer & Culinary Educator

Expertise

Southwestern and Latin American cuisines, Vegetarian and plant-based recipe development, Culinary education and community outreach ​

Education

Santa Fe Community College, Santa Fe, NM
Certificate in Culinary Arts

Emphasized Southwestern cuisine and sustainable cooking practices


Lena grew up surrounded by the colors, spices, and traditions of the Southwest – flavors that sparked her love for bold, honest cooking. After earning her Culinary Arts certificate at Santa Fe Community College, she made it her mission to teach home cooks how to create flavorful, plant-powered meals without the fuss.
Her recipes are packed with vibrant ingredients, simple steps, and the kind of heart that turns a regular meal into something you’ll want to share. Outside the kitchen, Lena spends her time wandering farmers’ markets, trading family recipes, and helping young chefs find their voice through food.

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