Puits d'amour with a Twist

Ingredients

• 2 sheets of puff pastry (400g) 2 sheets of puff pastry (400g)
• 2 cups (470ml) whole milk 2 cups (470ml) whole milk
• 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
• 4 egg yolks 4 egg yolks
• 1/4 cup (30g) all-purpose flour 1/4 cup (30g) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon dried lavender buds 1 teaspoon dried lavender buds
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Powdered sugar, for dusting Powdered sugar, for dusting

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 250 kcal / 1046 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 15g, 8g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 25g, 12g
• Protein: 4g
• Fiber: 1g
• Salt: 0.1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. 2.
   Roll out the puff pastry sheets and cut them into 8 equal squares.
3. 3.
   Place the pastry squares on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown and puffed.
4. 4.
   In a saucepan, heat the milk and dried lavender buds over medium heat until it reaches a gentle simmer. Remove from heat and let it steep for 10 minutes.
5. 5.
   In a mixing bowl, whisk together the sugar, egg yolks, and flour until well combined.
6. 6.
   Strain the lavender-infused milk to remove the buds and return it to the saucepan. Heat the milk again until it reaches a gentle simmer.
7. 7.
   Slowly pour the hot milk into the egg mixture, whisking constantly to prevent curdling.
8. 8.
   Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens into a custard consistency.
9. 9.
   Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Let the custard cool completely.
10. 10.
    Once the puff pastry squares have cooled, carefully slice off the top third of each square to create a lid.
11. 11.
    Fill the hollowed-out pastry squares with the cooled lavender custard.
12. 12.
    Place the pastry lids back on top and dust with powdered sugar.
13. 13.
    Serve the Puits d'amour immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Puff pastry — Ensure that the puff pastry is thawed properly before rolling it out. If it becomes too soft, refrigerate it for a few minutes to firm it up.
• Dried lavender buds — Use culinary-grade dried lavender buds to ensure a safe and pleasant flavor. Adjust the amount according to your preference for the intensity of lavender flavor.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra touch of elegance, drizzle melted dark chocolate over the Puits d'amour before serving.
• If you don't have dried lavender buds, you can substitute with lavender extract or skip it altogether for a classic vanilla custard.
• Serve the Puits d'amour with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent twist.
• To save time, you can use store-bought puff pastry instead of making it from scratch.
• Make sure to let the custard cool completely before filling the pastry shells to prevent them from becoming soggy.

Serving advice

Serve the Puits d'amour as a delightful dessert after a French-inspired meal. They can be enjoyed warm or chilled, depending on your preference. Dust them with powdered sugar just before serving for an elegant presentation.

Presentation advice

Arrange the Puits d'amour on a platter or individual dessert plates. Sprinkle a little extra powdered sugar on top and garnish with a fresh lavender sprig or a dusting of cocoa powder for an extra touch of sophistication.