Strawberry Cream Croissants are one of my absolute favorite treats to whip up, especially when strawberries are at their peak. There’s just something magical about the combination of flaky, buttery croissants, sweet, juicy strawberries, and a luscious cream filling.
They’re perfect for a weekend brunch, a special dessert, or even a delightful afternoon snack. Plus, they look impressive but are surprisingly easy to make.
Recipe Overview: Strawberry Cream Croissant
This recipe takes the classic croissant and elevates it with fresh strawberries and a smooth, creamy filling. Think of it as a delightful marriage between a pastry and a fruit dessert.
The star is, of course, the croissant. Its flaky layers provide a satisfying texture that contrasts perfectly with the soft cream and juicy berries.
The cream filling is light, not overly sweet, letting the natural sweetness of the strawberries shine through.
You can serve these Strawberry Cream Croissants at room temperature, or even slightly chilled if you prefer. They’re amazing alongside a cup of coffee or tea.
They also make a wonderful addition to any dessert spread, or as a sweet ending to a light meal.
Detailed Ingredients for Strawberry Cream Croissants
Here’s everything you’ll need to make these delicious treats:
- Croissants: 4 large, store-bought croissants. You want them to be fresh and fairly large to hold the filling.
- Strawberries: 1 pint (about 2 cups), fresh strawberries. Look for ripe, fragrant berries.
- Heavy Cream: 1 cup, cold. Heavy cream whips up best when it’s very cold, so keep it refrigerated until you’re ready to use it.
- Powdered Sugar: 1/4 cup. This adds just the right amount of sweetness to the cream. You can adjust it to your liking.
- Cream Cheese: 4 ounces, softened. This adds a lovely tang and richness to the filling. Make sure it’s softened so it blends smoothly. You can use low fat cream cheese.
- Vanilla Extract: 1 teaspoon. A touch of vanilla enhances the flavor of the cream.
- Optional Garnish: A sprinkle of powdered sugar or extra sliced strawberries.
If you can’t find fresh strawberries, frozen (thawed and patted dry) can work in a pinch, but fresh is definitely best for flavor and texture.
Step-by-Step Instructions: Making the Perfect Strawberry Cream Croissant
Let’s get baking! Here’s how to assemble these delicious treats:
- Prepare the Strawberries: Wash and dry the strawberries. Hull them (remove the green tops) and slice them thinly. Set aside.
- Whip the Cream: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cold heavy cream and powdered sugar. Use an electric mixer (handheld or stand mixer) to beat the cream until stiff peaks form. This means the cream will hold its shape when you lift the beaters. Be careful not to overwhip, or it will become grainy.
- Make the Cream Cheese Mixture: In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until it’s smooth and creamy.
- Combine Cream Cheese and Whipped Cream: Add vanilla extract to the cream cheese. Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until everything is just combined. Don’t overmix, or the cream might deflate. You want it to stay light and fluffy.
- Slice the Croissants: Carefully slice each croissant horizontally, almost all the way through, like you’re making a sandwich. Leave a small “hinge” on one side so the top and bottom halves stay connected.
- Assemble the Croissants: Spread a generous layer of the cream cheese mixture on the bottom half of each croissant.
- Add Strawberries: Arrange a layer of sliced strawberries on top of the cream.
- Close and Garnish: Gently close the croissants. If desired, dust the tops with a little powdered sugar or add a few extra strawberry slices for garnish.
Variations & Tips for the Best Strawberry Cream Croissants
- Different Berries: Feel free to experiment with other berries, like raspberries, blueberries, or blackberries. A mixed berry filling would be delicious!
- Lemon Zest: Add a teaspoon of lemon zest to the cream cheese mixture for a bright, citrusy flavor.
- Chocolate Drizzle: For an extra touch of indulgence, drizzle melted chocolate over the finished croissants.
- Make-Ahead: You can prepare the cream filling and slice the strawberries a few hours ahead of time. Store them separately in the refrigerator. Assemble the croissants just before serving to prevent them from getting soggy.
- Storage: Store any leftover Strawberry Cream Croissants in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The croissants may soften slightly, but they’ll still be delicious.
- Reheating: While these are best enjoyed fresh, you can gently warm them in a low oven (around 300°F or 150°C) for a few minutes to refresh the croissant slightly.
- Serving: These are wonderful on their own, but they’re also great with a dollop of extra whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Key Details
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 0 minutes (no baking required!)
- Total time: 15 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Equipment you’ll need: Mixing bowls, electric mixer, knife, cutting board
Strawberry Cream Croissant
Ingredients
- 4 large store-bought croissants
- 1 pint about 2 cups, fresh strawberries
- 1 cup cold heavy cream
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 4 ounces softened cream cheese
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Optional Garnish: A sprinkle of powdered sugar or extra sliced strawberries
Instructions
- Wash and dry the strawberries. Hull them (remove the green tops) and slice them thinly. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cold heavy cream and powdered sugar. Use an electric mixer (handheld or stand mixer) to beat the cream until stiff peaks form.
- In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until it's smooth and creamy.
- Add vanilla extract to the cream cheese. Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until everything is just combined.
- Carefully slice each croissant horizontally, almost all the way through, like you're making a sandwich. Leave a small "hinge" on one side so the top and bottom halves stay connected.
- Spread a generous layer of the cream cheese mixture on the bottom half of each croissant.
- Arrange a layer of sliced strawberries on top of the cream.
- Gently close the croissants. If desired, dust the tops with a little powdered sugar or add a few extra strawberry slices for garnish.