There’s something so heartwarming about bringing a taste of France into our Southern kitchens, especially when it involves a lovely dessert like Paris Brest. The smell of butter and sugar mingling with the warm scent of fresh strawberries flowing through your home is the kind of magic that sticks with you. You can almost hear the laughter of family gathered around the dining table, delighting in each sweet bite like it was the best hug ever.
Why make this recipe? Well, Paris Brest is not just a delicious pastry; it’s a canvas for memories. Each layer made with love and care tells a story, echoing lazy Sundays spent with family, and the joy of sharing special moments over a delightful dessert. And when you add vibrant, juicy strawberries, it becomes something even more special, inviting everyone to savor the sweetness of life.
How to make Paris Brest with Strawberries
To embark on this delightful journey, let’s gather our ingredients:
- 80 grams of butter
- 200 ml of water
- 100 g of flour
- 3 eggs
- 1 pinch of salt
- 1 teaspoon of sugar
- 400 ml of very cold liquid cream
- 60 g of sugar
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 400 g of fresh strawberries
- Icing sugar to sprinkle
- Mint leaves for decoration
Now, let’s bring the family into the kitchen and get started.
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 200 degrees C. There’s something so comforting about the promise of a warm oven, isn’t there?
- Bring the water to a boil with butter, salt, and sugar. The aroma of butter melting in water is just divine!
- Once it’s boiling, take it off the heat, and with one swift motion, add the flour. Stir vigorously until the dough pulls away from the sides of the pot.
- Allow the dough to cool slightly, then incorporate the eggs, one by one, mixing well after each addition. It’s a little arm workout that fills the kitchen with the sounds of love!
- On a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, use a spatula to form a circle of dough about 20 cm in diameter. If you want to get fancy, sprinkle with grated almonds.
- Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, but please, do resist the temptation to peek. Let the magic happen!
- Once out of the oven, let it cool completely on a wire rack. While that’s happening, take a moment to pause and breathe in the delightful aroma wafting through your home.
- Whip that very cold cream with sugar and vanilla until it forms firm peaks. Oh, the joy of making whipped cream—a sweet cloud that makes this dessert so luscious!
- Wash and slice the strawberries, preparing to create a vision of color.
- Cut the Paris Brest horizontally in half. Spread half of the whipped cream on the bottom half and generously scatter those strawberry chunks.
- Refill with the top half, then pipe a beautiful whipped cream rose in the center, topped with more strawberries. Sprinkle everything with icing sugar and dress it up with mint leaves. So lovely!
How to serve Paris Brest with Strawberries
Gather your family around, and serve this beauty right from the kitchen counter. Let everyone dive in and enjoy the bright flavors and delightful conversation, reminiscing about sweet times spent together. This is all about sharing love, one slice at a time!
How to store Paris Brest
If, and only if, there are any leftovers, you can carefully wrap your Paris Brest with plastic wrap and store it in the fridge for up to two days. Just remember that the chocolate mousse can soften the pastry, so it’s best enjoyed fresh!
Tips to make Paris Brest
For an extra crispier result, consider making the choux pastry dough the day before and topping it on the day you plan to serve. That way, the crunch really sings with each delightful bite. And don’t forget to pop the whipped cream back in the fridge just before you whip it for a fluffier texture!
Variations
Feel free to add your own spin by incorporating other fruits like raspberries or maybe a layer of lemon curd for a zesty kick. The possibilities are endless, just like the love you put into your cooking!
FAQs
-
Can I use frozen strawberries?
Yes, you can! Just make sure to thaw and drain them well before using, so the pastry doesn’t get soggy. -
What can I do if my pastry is soggy?
If your pastry doesn’t turn out as crisp as you hoped, you can reheat it in the oven for a few minutes to help regain some of that delightful texture. -
What else can I fill Paris Brest with?
Besides whipped cream and fruit, you could fill it with pastry cream, chocolate ganache, or even a rich custard. Get creative!
Conclusion
There’s nothing quite like sharing a beautifully crafted dessert with those you love. With layers of flavor and the sweetness of strawberries, Paris Brest takes center stage at any gathering, creating cherished memories around the dinner table. To dive even deeper into the world of delicious desserts, don’t miss the opportunity to explore this recipe or treat yourself with the gourmet touch from Zingerman’s Deli. So roll up your sleeves, invite your friends and family to join, and let the sweet storytelling begin!
Paris Brest with Strawberries
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 200 degrees C.
- Bring the water to a boil with butter, salt, and sugar.
- Once boiling, remove from heat and add the flour, stirring vigorously until the dough pulls away from the sides.
- Allow the dough to cool slightly, then incorporate the eggs one by one, mixing well after each addition.
- On a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, form a circle of dough about 20 cm in diameter.
- Bake for 30 to 35 minutes without peeking.
- Let it cool completely on a wire rack.
- Whip the very cold cream with sugar and vanilla until firm peaks form.
- Wash and slice the strawberries.
- Cut the Paris Brest horizontally in half and spread half of the whipped cream on the bottom half.
- Generously scatter the strawberry chunks over the whipped cream.
- Refill with the top half, then pipe whipped cream rose in the center topped with more strawberries.
- Sprinkle everything with icing sugar and decorate with mint leaves.