Heyyyyyy…
It’s Thursday and I’m really glad because this week I feel like I’m in over my head. The little guys are out of school tomorrow (because it makes COMPLETE sense to be out on Friday but to go to school on Monday which was a federal holiday…) and while I love when they’re home with me out of the blue it sort of throws my schedule off and requires extra juggling. You know what I’m talking about. Also I. Am. So. TIRED today.
And I have no good excuse for that really. I got normal (for me) sleep, and other than my pledge to donate everything we own to charity because I’m tired of cleaning up all the messes, I haven’t taken on anything extra or out of the ordinary. I’m just plain old sleepy.
And I’m fighting it. Like crazy. Because I have way way way too many things to do. No time for napping.
So hey. Let me tell you about these petit fours for a minute.
I’ve been playing with birthday recipes all week- my sister and my little guy have birthdays next week and it is cake-testing mania in my kitchen since Monday (basically the most fun thing everrrrrr). Sister had a dessert somewhere with a lemon thyme pastry cream sandwiched in between cake layers and I thought that sounded fun. I don’t have ANY practice with the savory herbs turned sweet desserts niche- I’ve seen many a basil cream and avocado fudge, but I’ve not been brave enough to venture into that direction. Plus I figured the boys would turn their noses up at herby dessert.
This week I got adventurous.
If you only make ONE part of this recipe, make it the lemon thyme pastry cream. Trust me on that one. I am a believer. I adapted this version just slightly from Martha Stewart. I simplified it (if you can believe that). You should know going in that you’ll need 2 large bowls and a saucepan. The lemon thyme cream is heated, removed from the heat and whisked with other ingredients, and then heated again a couple of times.
I broke it all down in my ding-bat girl terms because well… I guess I was feeling kinda dingy. Also, Martha’s way called for like 5 bowls and I basically don’t have that many.
Truth.
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup 2 % milk
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme OR ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- zest of 1 lemon
- ½ cup granulated sugar, divided
- ⅛ cup plus ½ tablespoon cornstarch
- ⅛ cup plus ½ tablespoon all purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 eggs, beaten till smooth
- 1 tablespoon cold butter, cut into small pieces
- *1 (8 ounce package) of ⅓ less fat cream cheese, softened
- *1/2 of 1 (14 ounce) can of sweetened condensed milk
- **1/2 package puff pastry, thawed
- **1 egg lightly beaten
- ***1/2 cup sweetened flake coconut
- In a medium, heavy-bottomed saucepan, heat the milk, thyme, lemon zest, and ¼ cup of the granulated sugar. Stir to dissolve the sugar, bring it to a slow boil over medium high heat (stirring frequently so as NOT to scald the milk!), remove from the heat, cover, and let is stand for 15 minutes.
- While the hot milk is standing, whisk together the remaining ¼ cup sugar, the cornstarch, flour, and salt in a large bowl. Stir in the beaten eggs. Set aside.
- Prepare an ice bath (SEE NOTE) and set out a large CLEAN heat-proof bowl lined with a very fine mesh strainer.
- Pour the hot milk through the strainer into the heat-proof bowl and discard the solids. Scrape the mixture back into the saucepan (make sure to thoroughly scrape down the sides of the bowl) and bring to a slow boil again, stirring frequently over medium-high heat to prevent scalding.
- As soon as it boils, pour it into the egg mixture, whisking constantly until combined.
- Scrape the mixture BACK into the saucepan and bring to a boil again, whisking constantly for about 2 minutes until the pastry cream is thickened.
- Scrape the hot cream into the heat-proof bowl (the first bowl). Whisk in the butter a few pieces at a time until smooth and set the bowl down into the ice bath.
- Stir periodically to cool the pastry cream. When it’s cooled, removed it from the ice bath, place plastic wrap DIRECTLY onto the cream (to prevent a skin from forming) and refrigerate until ready to use.
- To make the cheesecake filling for the petit fours, beat the cream cheese with the ½ can od sweetened condensed milk. Add 2-3 tablespoons of the lemon thyme pastry cream and beat until smooth.
- Pre-heat the oven to 400.
- Unfold the sheet of puff pastry. When unfolded, it will be creased in thirds. Cut along each crease making 3 pieces. Then cut those in half, lengthwise. Cut each strip horizontally into squares. You should get 5-6 little squares out of each strip, 30-36 altogether.
- Brush the top of each pastry square with the beaten egg and lay them on a lightly greased baking sheet. Bake for about 12 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown (mine actually baked for only about 9 minutes).
- Take the baked pastries off the baking sheet, scatter the coconut across it, turn the oven down to 325, and toast the coconut for about 5 minutes. It will be fragrant and golden.
- To assemble the petit fours (you can assemble them in cupcake liners for ease), put down one square of pastry. Put about a teaspoon of the cream cheese mixture on top. Spoon the lemon thyme pastry cream over the cheesecake layer. Place another pastry square on top. Another dollop of cream cheese, and another spoonful of lemon thyme pastry cream. Sprinkle toasted coconut on top.
- Refrigerate until you’re ready to serve.
Lemon Thyme Pastry Cream just slightly adapted from Martha Stewart Living Christmas Cookbook
Get your pastry cream on. This recipe is a culinary ego boost (also known as How to Feel Fancy When You’re Not That Fancy).
Yeah, I can’t quite get my head round herby desserts either, but it does look good! As for tiredness – ugh! I was nearly falling asleep in the classroom this afternoon, I seriously could not keep my eyes open! which is why it’s 7pm on a Friday, and am I getting ready to go out partying? No, I’m in my dressing gown with the heat on ready to sit down with Parenthood (which I am LOVING – thank you!) and a glass of wine!
thepinkrachael recently posted…Soundtrack Take Over is Over!
I wasn’t sold on being able to pull the herb/sweet thing off. But I LOVE it. The flavor is lemony and sweet and INTERESTING. Chad had no idea about the thyme until I told him. He just knew there was something he couldn’t quite place. I freaking adore that show. Yaaay to you watching it!!! Where are you at with it? We need to chat. Cheerrs! I’m having a drink at home, too
I’ve almost finished season 1, they’ve just found out about Zeek’s bad investment and Sarah’s found out about his affair from her mum. Sarah is definitely my favourite character so far, and by extension Amber, but I like Crosby too.
thepinkrachael recently posted…Soundtrack Take Over is Over!
Herbs in dessert are forever awesome my friend
These petit fours look utterly beautiful and I could eat a tray!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Choc Chip Uru recently posted…Huh?
These are pretty! I would have never thought of a concoction like this….would love to give it a taste. Looks labor intensive.
The pastry cream was the challenge for me but everything else is a cinch. If I have a little time maybe I’ll put a few together
Wait…so your kids had school on Monday but not yesterday? That makes zero sense to me. Anyway, it’s no wonder you are tired! Holidays with kids at home will do that.
I could never aspire to make petit fours…really just so impressed!
Ameena recently posted…a bright idea
Their school schedule basically never makes sense to me. Petit-fours– defrosted puff pastry and some custard. Easy!!
I love the photo of the one cut open . I sure would like to dig into this delicious little dessert and with the thyme sounds lovely. I think it must be the weather that makes us feel so tired. When it is over cast, gray or just polluted so you can see out like in HK it does make you feel like the life is zapped out of you. all the more reason for this little pick me up dessert. PS: Are my comments going through? Take Care, BAM
Bam’s Kitchen recently posted…Tropical Thai Swordfish
This time, yes! I think it IS the weather. Bleh. Anyway- the lemon/thyme is super good. Hope you’re doing well!
Those look interesting! lol I thought it was bacon when I first saw it….now I want bacon haha Your birthday cakes will turn out awesome!
I always want bacon.
I am ALL over these! Yum! Yum Yum Heather!
Simply Tia recently posted…Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream (No Churn)
Thanks, Tia!!
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