Ingredients
Pastry Ingredients
- Butter - 50 grams (0.5 cup)
- Vegetable oil - 35 grams (2.5 tablespoons)
- Sugar - 120 grams (0.5 cup)
- 1 egg
- Flour - 190 grams (1.5 cups)
- Kefir - 120 grams (0.5 cup) (can substitute with milk and 1 teaspoon lemon juice)
- Cocoa powder - 6 grams (1 tablespoon)
- Baking soda - 0.5 teaspoon
- Baking powder - 10 grams (2 teaspoons)
- Pinch of salt
- Red food coloring
Cream Cheese Filling
- Cream cheese - 400 grams (14 ounces)
- Heavy cream (33%) - 180 milliliters (0.75 cup)
- Powdered sugar - 70 grams (0.5 cup)
Equipment
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Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer
A stand mixer makes the process much quicker and easier, especially for beating the butter and cream cheese. If you don't have one, a hand mixer will do just fine. Just be prepared for a little more elbow grease!
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Piping Bag
A piping bag ensures that your pastry circles are uniform in size and shape. If you don’t have one, a zip-lock bag with the corner cut off can work as a DIY alternative.
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Baking Sheet
A good quality baking sheet is essential for even cooking. Line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze.
Instructions
Step 1
Pastry Preparation
Step 2
Cream Cheese Filling
Step 3
Assembly and Optional Filling
Servings
These Red Velvet Pastries are a feast for the eyes and the taste buds. Serve them at your next gathering, and you’ll watch them disappear in minutes! You can also enjoy them:
With a morning coffee 🥐☕ – Start your day right with a velvety pastry alongside your favorite brew. The creamy filling is the perfect morning pick-me-up.
As an afternoon snack 🕑 – Perfect for a midday treat. Pair it with some tea and fresh fruit to balance out the sweetness.
At a dinner party 🎉 – Impress your guests by serving these beautiful pastries on a decorative platter. Add some fresh strawberries or mint leaves for a finished look.
For a stunning presentation, dust your pastries with powdered sugar or drizzle some melted chocolate on top. The contrast will look gorgeous and make them even more irresistible!
Variations
Gluten-Free Variation: 🌾🚫
Simply substitute the regular flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour mix. Make sure to also check that your baking powder and other ingredients are certified gluten-free.
Vegan Variation: 🌱💚
Replace the butter with vegan butter and use flaxseed meal mixed with water as an egg substitute (1 tablespoon flaxseed meal + 3 tablespoons water = 1 egg). For the cream cheese filling, opt for a dairy-free cream cheese and plant-based heavy cream.
Faq
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Why did my pastries come out dry?
Overbaking is often the culprit for dry pastries. Make sure to bake them for no more than 10 minutes and check them at the 6-7 minute mark.
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Can I use milk instead of kefir?
Yes, you can substitute kefir with an equal amount of milk mixed with 1 teaspoon of lemon juice. Let this mixture sit for a few minutes before using.
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How can I make the filling thicker?
If your cream cheese filling is too runny, try refrigerating it for 15-20 minutes. You can also add a bit more powdered sugar to thicken it.
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Can I freeze these pastries?
Yes, you can freeze the baked pastries (without filling) for up to 3 months. Just thaw them at room temperature and add the cream cheese filling before serving.
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How do I prevent the pastries from spreading too much?
Chill the dough in the fridge for about 30 minutes before piping onto the baking sheet. This helps the dough hold its shape better while baking.
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Can I add other flavors to the cream cheese filling?
Absolutely! A splash of vanilla extract or a bit of lemon zest can add great flavor. Just incorporate it while you're beating the cream cheese and powdered sugar.
