Looking for a show-stopping yet simple dessert to impress your guests or treat your family? These Puff Pastry Cones with Custard are a perfect choice. Light, flaky pastry filled with rich, creamy vanilla custard, these sweet cones are as beautiful as they are delicious.
Whether for a holiday spread, a tea party, or a special weekend dessert, this recipe delivers elegance with minimal effort. Plus, with store-bought puff pastry and easy-to-make custard, it’s beginner-friendly and fully customizable.
⭐ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Flaky, golden pastry and smooth custard in every bite
- Visually stunning presentation
- Perfect for make-ahead and filling later
- Customizable with chocolate, fruit, or whipped cream toppings
- Great for birthdays, holidays, or entertaining
🔧 Recommended Kitchen Tools
- Cream horn molds or foil cone molds
- Piping bag or plastic zip-top bag
- Saucepan and whisk
- Baking sheet and parchment paper
- Cooling rack
📝 Ingredients
For the Puff Pastry Cones:
- 1 sheet puff pastry (thawed, if frozen)
- 1 egg (for egg wash)
- 1 tbsp water
- Sugar for sprinkling (optional)
For the Vanilla Custard Filling:
- 2 cups (500 ml) whole milk
- 3 egg yolks
- ⅓ cup (70g) granulated sugar
- 3 tbsp (25g) cornstarch
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
👩🍳 Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Puff Pastry Cones
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Roll out the puff pastry slightly on a floured surface. Cut into 1-inch wide strips.
- Wrap each strip around a cream horn mold, slightly overlapping as you spiral upward.
- Whisk the egg and water together for an egg wash. Brush each cone gently and sprinkle with sugar if desired.
- Place cones seam-side down on the baking sheet.
- Bake for 12–15 minutes until golden brown. Let them cool completely before removing from the molds.
Step 2: Make the Custard
- In a saucepan, heat milk over medium heat until just simmering – do not boil.
- In a bowl, whisk egg yolks, sugar, and cornstarch until smooth.
- Slowly pour the warm milk into the yolk mixture, whisking constantly to temper.
- Pour the mixture back into the saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until thickened.
- Remove from heat, stir in vanilla and butter, and let cool slightly.
- Cover with plastic wrap directly on the surface to prevent a skin and refrigerate until fully cooled.
Step 3: Fill and Serve
- Once the cones are completely cool, fill a piping bag with the custard and pipe into each cone.
- Optional: Dust with powdered sugar, drizzle with chocolate, or top with fresh berries.
💡 Tips for Success
- Don’t overfill molds: Leave a little space at the ends to help release the cone once baked.
- Use cold pastry: Work quickly with puff pastry to prevent it from becoming too soft.
- Make the custard ahead: It can be stored in the fridge for 2–3 days before using.
- Cool cones before filling: Hot pastry can melt the custard or cause sogginess.
🥄 Recipe Variations
- Chocolate Custard Cones: Add 2 tbsp of cocoa powder to the custard base.
- Strawberry Cones: Add diced strawberries inside with the custard or top the filled cones with berry compote.
- Tiramisu-Inspired: Brush baked cones with espresso and fill with mascarpone cream.
- Nutella Surprise: Pipe a small amount of Nutella into the base before filling with custard.
🥗 Make It Fit Your Diet
- Dairy-Free Option: Use plant-based milk and vegan butter; ensure puff pastry is dairy-free.
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free puff pastry and cornstarch in the custard.
- Sugar-Free: Use a sugar substitute like erythritol or stevia in both pastry and custard.
❄️ Storage & Make-Ahead
- Custard can be made ahead and stored for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
- Store filled cones in the fridge for up to 24 hours, though best enjoyed the same day.
- Unfilled cones can be kept in an airtight container for 2–3 days at room temperature.
Final Thoughts
Puff Pastry Cones with Custard are light, creamy, and delicately sweet – a classic pastry you can easily master at home. Whether you’re baking them for a celebration or just treating yourself, their delightful texture and flavor make them an unforgettable dessert. And the best part? You can fill them with endless variations to match any occasion or taste.
