Puff Pastry with Lemon Mascarpone Cream

Ingredients:

• • For the Puff Pastry:
    • • Puff pastry sheets (store-bought or homemade)
      • Milk (for brushing the pastry)
      • 8 grams (1 tablespoon) of vanilla sugar

  • For the Lemon Mascarpone Cream:
    • • 200 ml sweetened whipping cream
      • 3 tablespoons soft sugar
    • 125 grams mascarpone cheese
    • Zest and juice of 1 lemon (or lemon flavor extract)

Directions:

• Prepare the Puff Pastry:
  • • Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
    • Roll out the puff pastry sheets on a lightly floured surface. Cut into desired shapes (squares, rectangles, or circles).
  • • Brush the top of the pastry with milk and sprinkle with vanilla sugar.
    • Place the pastry pieces on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
    • Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes or until the pastry is puffed and golden brown. Let cool completely.

• Prepare the Lemon Mascarpone Cream:
  • • In a mixing bowl, whip 200 ml of sweetened whipping cream with 3 tablespoons of soft sugar until soft peaks form.
    • Add 125 grams of mascarpone cheese and continue to whip until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
  • Add lemon zest and a few drops of lemon juice (or lemon flavor extract) and mix until well combined. Taste and adjust lemon flavor as needed.
• Assemble the Dessert:
  • • Once the puff pastry is cooled, slice each piece horizontally to create a top and bottom layer.
  • • Spread or pipe the lemon mascarpone cream onto the bottom layer of each pastry.
    • Place the top layer of puff pastry on the cream layer, creating a sandwich.
    • Optionally, dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with a bit of honey.

Serving Suggestions:
Serve these lemon mascarpone puff pastries chilled or at room temperature. They pair wonderfully with tea, coffee, or a glass of sparkling wine.

Cooking Tips:

• Ensure the puff pastry is completely cool before adding the cream to prevent it from melting.
• For a firmer cream, refrigerate the filling for about 15 minutes before assembling.

Nutritional Benefits:
This dessert provides a refreshing citrus flavor while offering a creamy texture, making it satisfying without being overly heavy. The lemon adds a dose of vitamin C, while the mascarpone contributes calcium and protein.

Dietary Information:

• • Contains dairy and gluten.
  • Not suitable for vegans.

Nutritional Facts (per serving, approx.):

• • Calories: 300
  • Protein: 4 g

• • Carbohydrates: 20 g
  • Fat: 22 g
  • Fiber: 0.5 g

• Sugar: 10 g