Can I make the chocolate cream ahead of time?

Yes! You can whip the chocolate cream up to 2 days in advance. Keep it chilled and covered until ready to use.

What kind of berries work best?

Use a mix of firm, fresh berries like raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, and blackberries. Avoid overly juicy berries that may leak into the cream.

Can I make these gluten-free?

Yes. Just use a gluten-free puff pastry available at specialty or health food stores.

Can I use store-bought whipped topping instead of whipping cream?

You can, but the texture and flavor won’t be as rich. Homemade whipped cream gives the best results.

How do I keep the volovanes from going soggy?

Fill them just before serving and avoid overfilling. If needed, you can brush the inside of each shell with melted chocolate to create a barrier.

Do I need special tools to cut the pastry?

Circular cookie cutters work best, but you can use a glass and a bottle cap as DIY cutters in a pinch.

Can I freeze the assembled volovanes?

It’s not recommended. The pastry loses its crispness when thawed with the filling. Freeze only the empty shells.

Can I add liqueur to the chocolate cream?

Absolutely! A splash of Kahlúa, Grand Marnier, or Frangelico can elevate the flavor for adult gatherings.

How do I transport these to a party without ruining them?

Use a cupcake container or place each filled volovan in a muffin tin to prevent them from sliding.

Are volovanes only for dessert?

Not at all! They’re just as delicious when filled with savory fillings like chicken salad, goat cheese, or mushroom ragout.

Chocolate Cream Volovanes with Berries

Description

Volovanes, also known as vol-au-vents, are small and hollow puff pastry baskets. They are made by cutting two circles in rolled out pastry, cutting a hole in one of them, then stacking the ring-shaped piece on top of the dis-shaped piece. Served as appetizers when filled with a savory filling or as desserts when filled with sweet fillings.

Volovanes are quick and easy to prepare. These dessert volovanes ae filled with a chocolate cream and adorned with colorful berries. Perfect for parties and get togethers.

Ingredients

Scale

All-purpose flour for dusting
2 (18-ounce package) puff pastry sheets
½ cup water
1 egg, beaten
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1/4 cup cocoa powder
¼ cup powdered sugar plus more for dusting
assorted berries for decorating
mint leaves for decorating

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400° F. Line a large baking tray with parchment paper and set aside.
Dust a working surface and rolling pin with flour. Spread one sheet of puff pastry on surface. Cut out 9 circles with a 3-inch circular cookie cutter and place them on baking tray 1-inch apart.
Spread second puff pastry sheet on floured surface and cut out 9 more circles. Using as 1-inch circular cookie cutter, cut out a circle in the center. These will resemble a doughnut.
Dip fingers or pastry brush in water. And moisten the edges of the dough circles (that are not cut out in the center) on the baking tray. Place the circle pieces that resemble a doughnut over the pieces that do not have a hole cut out. You will have 9 stacked assembled volovanes. Bruch each piece with egg.
Bake for 15 minutes or until volovanes are golden and have risen. Cool on tray for 15 minutes.
While volovanes cook, make the chocolate filling: Combine heavy whipping cream, cocoa powder, and sugar in a large mixing bowl. Mix with electric mixer for 5 minutes or until stiff peaks form. Set aside.
Push the top thin layer of puff pastry into the volovan. The volovan will be hollow and resemble a cup.
Place chocolate cream in a pastry or a plastic zip bag with bottom corner cut out. Pipe cream in volovan and arrange in a large serving tray. Decorate with berries and mint. Sprinkle with confectioner’s sugar and serve.