Lavender Dreams: Mascarpone Mousse Heart Pastries
Indulge in a romantic dessert that combines the delicate essence of lavender with the creamy richness of mascarpone cheese, all encased in flaky puff pastry. Perfect for celebrating love on Valentine's Day or any special occasion, these heart-shaped pastries are not only visually stunning but also a delightful treat for the palate. Prepare your heart-shaped cake pans to elevate the presentation and surprise your loved ones with a dessert that is sure to impress. Time includes all preparation and cooking steps, excluding the lavender steeping time.
12
Servings
N/A
Calories
7
Ingredients
Ingredients
Frozen puff pastry shells
2 (10 ounce) packages (Thawed)
Heavy cream
2 cups (Divided)
Dried lavender blossoms
1 tablespoon (Or 4 sprigs of fresh lavender)
Mascarpone cheese
1 (8 ounce) container (Softened)
Sugar
1/4 cup (Or 1/4 cup Splenda sugar substitute)
White chocolate curls
To taste (For garnish)
Fresh lavender sprigs
For decoration (Optional)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2
Follow the package directions to bake and cool the puff pastry shells. Ensure they are nicely puffed and golden brown.
3
In a small saucepan, combine 1/2 cup of heavy cream and the dried lavender. Heat the mixture over medium heat until it begins to boil, then reduce the heat and allow it to simmer for 2 minutes.
4
Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the lavender steep in the cream for about 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to infuse.
5
In a medium mixing bowl, add the mascarpone cheese and set aside.
6
Once the lavender cream has steeped, pour it through a fine sieve into the bowl with the mascarpone cheese. Use a spatula to press down on the lavender to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard the lavender remnants.
7
Stir the lavender-infused cream and mascarpone mixture until well combined, then set aside to cool for approximately 20 minutes.
8
In a chilled mixing bowl, whip the remaining heavy cream with the sugar (or Splenda) at medium-high speed until soft peaks form. Be careful not to overbeat.
9
Gently fold half of the whipped cream into the mascarpone mixture to lighten it, then fold in the remaining whipped cream until just blended, ensuring a light and airy texture.
10
Spoon or pipe the luscious mascarpone mousse into each cooled pastry shell, filling them generously.
11
Refrigerate the filled pastries for at least 1 hour to set.
12
Before serving, garnish with white chocolate curls and additional fresh lavender sprigs, if desired.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Lavender Dreams: Mascarpone Mousse Heart Pastries?
It is a romantic dessert combining lavender-infused heavy cream with rich mascarpone cheese inside flaky puff pastry shells.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes 12 servings.
What is the recommended oven temperature for the puff pastry?
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Can I use fresh lavender instead of dried blossoms?
Yes, you can use 4 sprigs of fresh lavender instead of 1 tablespoon of dried lavender blossoms.
How long should the lavender steep in the heavy cream?
The lavender should steep in the hot cream for approximately 30 minutes to fully infuse the flavors.
What should the texture of the whipped cream be?
The heavy cream should be whipped until soft peaks form, being careful not to overbeat it.
How do I remove the lavender blossoms from the cream?
Pour the cream through a fine sieve into the bowl and use a spatula to press down on the lavender to extract all the liquid.
Is there a sugar substitute I can use for this recipe?
Yes, you can use 1/4 cup of Splenda sugar substitute instead of regular sugar.
How long should the filled pastries be refrigerated before serving?
The filled pastries should be refrigerated for at least 1 hour to allow the mousse to set.
What is the best way to fill the puff pastry shells?
You can either spoon or pipe the mascarpone mousse into the cooled pastry shells.
Do I need to thaw the puff pastry shells before baking?
Yes, the 10 ounce packages of frozen puff pastry shells should be thawed according to package directions.
What type of cheese is used in the mousse?
The recipe calls for one 8-ounce container of softened mascarpone cheese.
How should I incorporate the whipped cream into the mascarpone mixture?
Gently fold half of the whipped cream in first to lighten the mixture, then fold in the remaining half until just blended.
What decorations are suggested for these pastries?
White chocolate curls and fresh lavender sprigs are recommended for garnishing and decoration.
How long do I simmer the lavender and cream mixture?
Simmer the mixture over medium heat for 2 minutes once it begins to boil.
Should the mascarpone cheese be cold or room temperature?
The recipe specifies that the mascarpone cheese should be softened.
What is the total number of ingredients in this recipe?
There are 7 main ingredients including the optional garnishes.
Can I use heart-shaped cake pans for this recipe?
Yes, using heart-shaped pans can help elevate the presentation for special occasions like Valentine's Day.
How long should the lavender-infused cream and mascarpone mixture cool?
Set the mixture aside to cool for approximately 20 minutes before folding in the whipped cream.
Is this dessert suitable for romantic occasions?
Yes, it is specifically described as a romantic dessert perfect for celebrating love or Valentine's Day.
How much heavy cream is needed in total?
You will need 2 cups of heavy cream, divided between the infusion and the whipped cream steps.
What should I do with the lavender remnants after straining?
The lavender remnants should be discarded after the liquid has been extracted.
What is the consistency goal for the final mousse?
The goal is a light and airy texture achieved by gentle folding.
How much sugar is required for the whipped cream?
The recipe calls for 1/4 cup of sugar.
Does the recipe include nutritional information like calories or fat?
No, nutritional values such as calories, fat, and carbohydrates are not provided in the raw data.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Tags include lavender, mascarpone, mousse, puff pastry, dessert, valentine, romantic, tarts, special occasion, and gourmet.
How do I ensure the puff pastry shells are ready?
Ensure they are nicely puffed and golden brown according to the package directions.
Should the mixing bowl for the whipped cream be prepared in any special way?
Yes, the recipe recommends using a chilled mixing bowl for whipping the heavy cream.
What is the recipe ID?
The recipe ID is lavender-dreams-mascarpone-mousse-heart-pastries.
Is this considered a gourmet recipe?
Yes, one of the tags specifically categorizes this as a gourmet dish.