Delicious Cream Pie Croissants

This hand-held Boston cream pie croissant twist turns a timeless favorite into a fancy grab-and-go treat that works great for morning gatherings or after-dinner sweets. The flaky, store-bought croissants stuffed with smooth vanilla pudding and finished with decadent chocolate topping make an amazing flavor combo that looks super fancy but comes together with minimal work.

I whipped these up for my buddy's birthday breakfast when I wanted something fancy but easy to carry. When everyone took their first bite of these rich goodies, all talking stopped and was replaced by happy mumbling and folks asking me how to make them.

Ingredients

• Half and half or light cream: Gives just enough richness without overwhelming the delicate filling
• Egg yolks: Add that trademark pudding smoothness and yellow tint
• White sugar: Adds just enough sweetness to balance the rich parts
• Cornstarch: Makes the filling firm up nicely without getting too stiff
• Butter: Creates that smooth feel and helps the filling set correctly
• Vanilla extract: Brings that signature Boston cream taste
• Nuts, chopped: Give a nice crunch and make them look prettier
• Croissants: Pick ones that are new but not overly flaky to handle the filling well
• Semisweet chocolate: Go for good stuff that melts well for the topping
• Corn syrup: Makes the chocolate topping nice and shiny

Simple Preparation Steps

Get the croissants ready:

Poke two holes with a wooden stick on different sides of each croissant's back. Carefully move the stick around to make a pocket inside without breaking through. This lets you pack in lots of filling while keeping the outside intact.

Create the vanilla filling:

Mix egg yolks, sugar, cornstarch and salt in a pot until completely smooth. This step matters for silky filling. Slowly pour in the half and half while constantly stirring to get everything mixed evenly.

Heat the filling:

Put the pot on medium flame and keep stirring for 4-6 minutes until it gets thick. Watch it closely as it'll thicken suddenly at the end. You'll know it's done when it covers the back of a spoon and stays separated when you run your finger through it.

Finish the filling:

Take it off the heat right away so it doesn't overcook. Drop in butter chunks one by one, mixing each one completely before adding another. This slow addition makes the creamiest texture. Add vanilla last to keep its flavor strong.

Put filling in croissants:

Scoop the filling into a pastry bag with a long tip. Stick the tip into each hole and squeeze gently to fill the croissant. You'll feel it getting heavier as it fills up. Each regular croissant needs roughly a third of the filling.

Make the chocolate topping:

Warm half and half with corn syrup until it's hot but not bubbling. Take it off the heat and toss in the chocolate pieces. The warmth will melt the chocolate as you mix. Let it cool a bit to thicken before using it.

Top the croissants:

Pour the chocolate over each filled croissant, letting it run down the sides for a pretty look. Quickly sprinkle nuts on top while the chocolate's still wet so they stick well. Cool for an hour to set everything.

The vanilla filling really makes this treat special. I've spent tons of time getting my custard technique just right, and the big secret is constant stirring and taking it off the heat the second it thickens. My grandma taught me to look for when the bubbles change from tiny and fast to bigger, slower ones as the sign that it's almost perfect.

Prep Ahead Ideas

You can make the vanilla filling up to 3 days early and keep it covered in the fridge. If it gets too firm, stir it gently before putting it in the pastry bag. The filled croissants taste best within 24 hours since they'll slowly get softer from the moist filling. For the freshest result, you can get all parts ready separately and put them together right before serving.

Easy Swaps

If you want something lighter, try regular milk instead of half and half in the filling, though it won't be quite as rich. For a non-dairy option, go with full-fat coconut milk and plant-based butter. It'll have a light coconut taste that works really well with the vanilla. You can use white chocolate for the topping if you want something sweeter that kids often love more.

Ways To Serve

These Boston cream pie croissants look amazing as the main attraction at special breakfasts or on dessert tables. Put them on a multi-level stand with some fresh berries scattered around for a fancy look. For an extra special dessert moment, serve each croissant with a small scoop of whipped cream, extra chocolate drizzled on top, and a mint leaf. They're also great with coffee-flavored liquor or sweet wines at grown-up dinner parties.

Grab one of these amazing croissants and watch everyone's eyes light up when you serve them!

Recipe Q&A

→ Can I prep the custard in advance?

Sure, make the vanilla custard up to 2 days ahead. Keep it in a sealed container in the fridge with plastic wrap on top to avoid a skin forming. Let it warm slightly for about 15 minutes before filling for easier use.

→ What if I don’t have a piping bag?

No problem! Grab a plastic bag, snip off one corner, and you’ve got yourself a DIY piping tool. If needed, just split the croissants open a bit and spoon in the filling before closing them up again.

→ Can I use homemade croissants instead?

Definitely! If you’ve got the time, homemade croissants make it even more special. Just make sure they’re fully cooled before adding the custard filling so they hold up nicely.

→ How long do these stay good?

They’re at their best within 24 hours of filling. Over time, the croissants might get softer from the custard. Store them in the fridge and bring them out about 15 minutes before serving for the best taste and feel.

→ Can I freeze them?

Freezing assembled ones isn’t a great idea because the custard and croissant texture can change when thawed. You can freeze plain croissants, though, and prepare the custard and chocolate fresh when you’re ready to use.

→ What other toppings could I try?

If you’re not into nuts, go for chocolate curls, toasted coconut, crunchy toffee bits, or even a dusting of powdered sugar. Want to get fancy? Add a little edible gold leaf for a stunning touch.