Flaky Cream Horns

Featured in Irresistible Sweet Treats.

These light and crispy pastries are wrapped puff dough baked on molds till toasted, then packed with smooth chocolate or vanilla cream.

A woman in a white chef's outfit with a chef's hat and apron.
Updated on Tue, 15 Apr 2025 20:54:10 GMT
Three crispy pastry tubes stuffed with chocolate cream, topped with fluffy whip and powdered sugar on a white plate. Pin it
Three crispy pastry tubes stuffed with chocolate cream, topped with fluffy whip and powdered sugar on a white plate. | cuisinegenial.com

Simple DIY Pastry Trumpets

After binging plenty of cooking competitions, I came up with this no-fuss pastry trumpet method that's now my favorite showstopper sweet. These cute treats look fancy but actually come together quickly using supermarket puff pastry and a smooth filling you can tweak to suit your taste. They're just the thing when you want something that wows guests without keeping you stuck in the kitchen forever.

What Makes These Pastries So Fantastic

You'll fall for these DIY pastry trumpets because:

  • Perfect for making ahead when you're planning a party
  • A no-fuss filling you can flavor however you like
  • The quickest way to get crispy layers using pre-made sheets
  • A beginner-friendly approach that looks totally professional

Basic Supplies for Pastry Trumpets

  • Puff Pastry Sheets: Just thaw and they're good to go.
  • Cream Cheese: Forms the foundation of our yummy filling.
  • Powdered Sugar: Gives everything the right sweetness.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds that special touch to your filling.
  • Heavy Cream: Creates those fluffy mountains of goodness.
  • Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: Throw some in if you're into chocolate.

Quick Assembly Guide

Set Up Your Workspace
First, warm your oven to 400°F. Grab your baking trays and cover them with parchment. Spray those trumpet molds really well with cooking spray so they won't stick later.
Form Your Shells
Stretch your puff pastry on a slightly floured counter until it's thin. Slice it into strips about an inch across. Wrap each strip around a mold with a bit of overlap. Put the seam on the bottom and brush some beaten egg all over for shine.
Bake to Golden Perfection
Arrange your wrapped molds on your trays with gaps between them. Cook for around 15 minutes, keeping an eye out until they puff up and turn a nice golden color. Let them cool completely while still on the molds so they keep their shape.
Whip Up Your Filling
In a big bowl, whip your cream cheese until it's smooth. Mix in your sugar and vanilla bit by bit. While mixing, slowly add the heavy cream and beat until it stands up in stiff peaks. If you want chocolate cream, split your mix and stir cocoa into half.
Put It All Together
When shells feel completely cool, gently pull them off the molds. Load a piping bag with your cream mixture and squeeze it into each shell. Finish with a light dusting of powdered sugar. Enjoy them right away for maximum crispness.

Tricks for Perfect Results

  • Chill Everything: Cold filling works best in these trumpet shells.
  • Grab a Piping Bag: It makes filling your trumpets super easy.
  • Try Them Frozen: Pop them in the freezer for a cool treat option.
  • Play with Flavors: Switch up your extracts for totally different tastes.
A plate of flaky pastry rolls filled with chocolate and cream frosting, arranged attractively on a lace doily. Pin it
A plate of flaky pastry rolls filled with chocolate and cream frosting, arranged attractively on a lace doily. | cuisinegenial.com

Keeping Them Fresh

Your empty shells will stay good for a couple days if kept dry. Once filled, they're tastiest right away, but you can freeze them if needed. Just let them soften a bit before you serve your fancy creation.

Crowd-Pleasing Dessert

These DIY pastry trumpets work for birthdays, dinner parties, or just because it's Tuesday. Stick with regular vanilla, go for chocolate, or dream up your own twist - this straightforward approach will have everyone thinking you trained in France. Your friends won't believe you made these yourself!

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Why grease the molds?

This keeps the puff dough from clinging, so you can slide them off easily once baked.

→ Can I prep beforehand?

You can bake the shells earlier but only fill them right before eating to avoid soggy pastry.

→ What's the purpose of the egg wash?

It helps seal the ends of the dough and gives that shiny toasted finish on the pastry.

→ Are the unfilled rolls freezable?

Absolutely, store unused shells in the freezer for up to three months without issue.

→ Should I soften cream cheese first?

Definitely, it makes for a creamier mixture without any chunks when blending in the cream.

Cream Horns

Crispy puff pastry shells packed with soft chocolate or vanilla filling, perfect for a classy sweet bite.

Prep Time
30 Minutes
Cook Time
16 Minutes
Total Time
46 Minutes
By: Ferdaous

Category: Desserts

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 32 Servings (32)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

01 2 sheets puff pastry, defrosted.
02 1 big egg.
03 Splash of water.
04 8 oz cream cheese, at room temperature.
05 3/4 cup icing sugar.
06 1 tablespoon of vanilla.
07 2 cups of whipping cream.
08 1 1/2 tablespoons cocoa powder.
09 Extra icing sugar for sprinkling.

Instructions

Step 01

Heat oven to 400°F and lay parchment paper on your baking trays.

Step 02

Give cream horn molds a light spray of oil so pastry doesn’t get stuck.

Step 03

Beat the egg and splash of water in a bowl till it’s well blended.

Step 04

Roll out each defrosted puff pastry sheet to make it just a little thinner.

Step 05

Slice pastry sheets into 8 strips, each about an inch wide, discarding leftover bits.

Step 06

Start at the narrow end of the mold, wrapping a strip of pastry and gently pinching the edges closed.

Step 07

Lay your wrapped molds with the seam sitting underneath on the baking tray.

Step 08

Using the egg wash mix, brush that onto all visible parts of the pastry.

Step 09

Cook them for 14-16 minutes or until you see they’ve puffed up and have a nice golden top.

Step 10

Let the pastry horns cool down fully before you even think about taking them off the molds.

Step 11

Start whisking the softened cream cheese until smooth and then carefully blend in the icing sugar.

Step 12

Mix the vanilla extract evenly into the cream cheese blend.

Step 13

Pour in the heavy cream slowly while mixing until the texture reaches firm peaks.

Step 14

Divide the cream filling into halves, mixing cocoa into one part for a chocolate option.

Step 15

Pipe cream filling into each horn using a star-shaped pastry bag tip. Dust lightly with icing sugar before plating.

Notes

  1. Two types of filling included.
  2. Shells can be made in advance.
  3. Assembling is fast.
  4. Looks fancy when served.

Tools You'll Need

  • Molds for cream horns.
  • Baking trays.
  • Bag for decorating.
  • Large rolling pin.
  • Electric mixer.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy (cream cheese, cream).
  • Includes eggs.
  • Has wheat (in the pastry).

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 175
  • Total Fat: 14 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 11 g
  • Protein: 2 g