Blueberry Pastry Rings with Vanilla Cream Filling

Flaky, fruity, and filled with luscious vanilla cream, these Blueberry Pastry Rings with Vanilla Cream Filling are everything you need in a dessert — delicate in texture, beautiful in presentation, and a delightful combination of sweet, tart, and creamy. Using a few pantry staples like massa folhada, corn starch, and eggs for a golden egg wash, you can create a bakery-quality treat in your home kitchen with minimal effort.

Perfeito para Christmas brunch, healthy cake recipes, or a summer garden party, these rings are as versatile as they are gorgeous. Whether you’re prepping for a cozy family gathering or putting together a menu of easy home recipes, this dish strikes the ideal balance between impressive and achievable.

🎯 Why This Recipe Works

This recipe is a wonderful mix of visual appeal, textural contrast, and balanced flavor. Here’s why it’s bound to be your new favorite:

• Puff Pastry Magic – No need to make dough from scratch. Store-bought massa folhada delivers that perfect crisp, golden texture effortlessly.
• Lightened Vanilla Cream – Skip the heavy custards. This vanilla cream filling is thickened with corn starch, sweetened with natural maple syrup or honey, and feels rich without being overly indulgent.
• Simple Yet Stunning – With minimal shaping and cutting, these rings come together beautifully, no pastry experience needed.
• Personalizável – Swap blueberries for other fruits, or infuse your cream with lemon, orange zest, or even rose water for a Middle Eastern twist.

🍽️ What Are Blueberry Pastry Rings?

These are ring-shaped pastries made from flaky, buttery puff pastry, filled with a creamy vanilla-flavored custard and topped with a homemade blueberry compote. Think of them as a cross between a Danish pastry and a fruit tart — just lighter, healthier, and more manageable for beginners.

🛒 Ingredients Breakdown

Here’s everything you’ll need for this delicious treat:

For the Pastry Rings:

• 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed overnight in the refrigerator
• 1 egg (for egg wash)
• 1 tsp water
• All-purpose flour for dusting

For the Blueberry Topping:

• 1 cup blueberries, fresh or frozen
• 2 tbsp granulated sugar (or coconut sugar)
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp corn starch
• 2 tbsp water (to dissolve cornstarch)

For the Vanilla Cream Filling:

• 1 xícara de leite integral (or almond/oat milk for a dairy-free version)
• 1 egg yolk
• 2 tbsp maple syrup or honey
• 1 tbsp corn starch
• 1 colher de chá de extrato de baunilha
• Pinch of sea salt

Opcional Guarnições:

• Powdered sugar (for dusting)
• Lemon zest
• Fresh mint
• Toasted slivered almonds for crunch

🔧 Kitchen Equipment

• Saucepan
• Whisk
• Rolling pin
• Round cookie cutters (or bowls/glasses of two different sizes)
• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper
• Pastry brush
• Piping bag or zip-top bag

👩‍🍳 How to Make Blueberry Pastry Rings with Vanilla Cream Filling

🔹 Step 1: Make the Vanilla Cream Filling

We begin with this step to give the cream ample time to cool and thicken.

1. In a medium saucepan off heat, whisk together milk, corn starch, o xarope de bordo, egg yolk, and a pinch of salt until smooth.
2. Place over medium-low heat and cook, whisking constantly.
3. After about 6–8 minutes, it will begin to thicken. Once it resembles pudding and starts to bubble, remove it from heat.
4. Stir in de extrato de baunilha, then transfer to a bowl.
5. Press a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the surface and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

Dica Profissional: O corn starch thickens the filling without flour, making it gluten-friendly and easier to digest.

🔹 Step 2: Prepare the Blueberry Filling

This quick homemade compote adds a fresh, juicy contrast to the creamy filling.

1. Combine blueberries, açúcare suco de limão in a small saucepan.
2. In a separate bowl, dissolve corn starch in water and add to the pan.
3. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
4. Cook until thickened and glossy, about 5–6 minutes.
5. Allow to cool at room temperature or refrigerate.

🔹 Step 3: Cut and Shape the Puff Pastry

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment.
2. Lightly flour your surface and roll out the massa folhada to smooth creases.
3. Use a large round cutter (4–5 inches) to cut out circles. Then use a smaller cutter (2 inches) to cut out the centers — creating donut-like rings.
4. Gather excess dough, roll it out again, and repeat to make more rings.
5. Place rings on the lined baking sheet.

🔹 Step 4: Apply Egg Wash

1. Beat together 1 egg + 1 tsp water to create your egg wash.
2. Brush a thin layer on each ring — this gives them that golden, glossy bakery finish.

Egg wash tip: Don’t overdo it — too much can pool and weigh down the pastry layers.

🔹 Step 5: Bake

1. Bake rings for 15–18 minutes, or until puffed and golden brown.
2. Let cool completely on a wire rack before assembling.

🔹 Step 6: Assemble Your Pastry Rings

1. Spoon your chilled vanilla cream filling into a piping bag.
2. Pipe the cream generously into the center of each ring.
3. Top with a spoonful of blueberry compote.
4. Garnish with lemon zest, powdered sugar, or mint.

🥄 Serving Ideas

These pastries are best served fresh or within 24 hours for the flakiest texture. Here are a few ways to serve them:

• As a holiday brunch centerpiece
• With a side of herbal tea or cappuccino
• On a dessert board alongside other mini cakes and healthy pastry dishes
• Packaged in a box as a homemade Christmas gift idea

🧠 Nutritional Highlights

While these pastries are indulgent in texture and taste, they can be part of a balanced approach to healthy eating:

• Less sugar: Naturally sweetened with maple syrup and fruit
• No heavy cream: The vanilla cream is light but satisfying
• Corn starch-based cream: Easy on the stomach and gluten-light
• Fruit-forward: Blueberries add antioxidants and reduce the need for excessive sugar

🛠️ Recipe Tips and Variations

• Dairy-Free Version: Use oat or almond milk and coconut yogurt instead of dairy milk and egg yolk.
• Tornar Vegan: Use vegan puff pastry, plant milk, skip the egg wash, and thicken the vanilla cream with cornstarch and coconut cream.
• Holiday Twist: Add a pinch of cinnamon or clove to the blueberry compote for that warm Christmas recipe vibe.
• Switch Up the Fruit: Try chopped peaches, raspberries, or even a fig jam for different flavor profiles.

🕓 Make-Ahead & Storage

• Armazenamento: Keep in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• Make-Ahead: Bake the rings and prep the fillings the day before. Assemble just before serving for best texture.
• Congelamento: Freeze unfilled baked rings for up to 1 month. Re-crisp in the oven before filling.

💬 Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Can I use store-bought pastry cream instead of making my own?

Yes, but the homemade vanilla cream filling is healthier, lighter, and more customizable.

❓ Is puff pastry healthy?

While puff pastry is buttery, using it sparingly in a balanced recipe with fruit and lighter fillings makes for a healthier cake or dessert option.

❓ Can I make these gluten-free?

Yes. Use gluten-free puff pastry sheets and ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free, especially corn starch.

📌 Final Thoughts

Estes Blueberry Pastry Rings with Vanilla Cream Filling are truly a celebration of flavor and texture. Light, creamy, fruity, and crisp all at once, they bring together everything we love in a dessert — and all with a healthier twist.

Whether you’re hosting a holiday feast, planning your list of best Christmas recipes, or looking for delicious easy home recipes with a sophisticated flair, this dish delivers. Each bite is buttery, bright, and comforting — the kind of treat you’ll want to make on repeat.