Cream Puff Cake With Puff Pastry – Easy & Elegant

A golden puff pastry slab layered with smooth cream puff filling and topped with whipped cream and a drizzle of dark chocolate, served on a decorative white platter.

Smooth, dreamy, and downright irresistible—Cream Puff Cake With Puff Pastry is the dessert upgrade you never knew you needed. Imagine a giant, buttery pastry shell hugging layers of velvety cream, topped with a glossy chocolate drizzle or fresh berries. If you love classic cream puffs, this elegant twist will rock your world—and your next dinner party. Ready to dive into why this is the ultimate Creamy Cream Puff Dessert? Let’s get started!


I’ve been begging my mom to make this for my birthday ever since I first tasted it. Why? Because it’s basically the giant cousin of my beloved cream puff, only easier to slice and serve. The real star here is the pastry shell: it puffs up along the edges and forms little nooks to cradle sweet, silky filling. Bold tip: cool that crust completely before filling, or your cream will melt into a sad, soggy mess.


This recipe hits so many sweet spots: it’s a Light Delicious Dessert that looks gourmet but comes together in minutes, and it doubles as one of the best What To Make With Pudding hacks out there. Instead of fussing with custard on the stovetop, you’ll rely on instant pudding powder whisked into cream cheese and milk for instant silky bliss. FYI, pudding powder sets faster—and sturdier—than homemade pastry cream, making assembly a breeze.


The Basic Steps—No Chef’s Hat Required

  1. Preheat & Prep: Spray a 9×13 pan with cooking spray; preheat your oven to 400°F.
  2. Make the Pastry: In a saucepan, bring water and margarine to a boil. Stir in flour until it forms a smooth ball, then beat in eggs one by one (this is crucial for proper puff!). Press the dough evenly into your dish.
  3. Bake & Cool: Bake for 30 minutes. The dough will rise at the edges like vertical cream puff walls—exactly what you want. Let it cool completely.
  4. Whip the Filling: In a bowl, beat instant vanilla pudding mix, milk, and softened cream cheese until lumps disappear. Spoon or pipe this Cream Based Desserts–style filling into the shell.
  5. Top & Chill: Spread homemade whipped cream or Cool Whip on top. For extra flair, swirl on homemade Chocolate Fudge Sauce or drizzle melted chocolate. Refrigerate for at least an hour before cutting.

Why do I love this recipe so much? It checks every box: crowd-pleaser, make-ahead magic, and oh-so-Easy Creamy Dessert Recipes–friendly. You can prep the crust and filling a day in advance (just hold off on the whipped cream), so when guests arrive, you’re the hostess with the mostest and zero stress.


Looking for more ways to impress? Try scattering fresh berries on top or dusting with powdered sugar. If you want to get really creative, pipe rosettes of pastry cream along the edges—hello, Pastry Cream Desserts Ideas! You’ll look like a pastry pro, IMO, without breaking a sweat.


Wondering if you can swap flavors? Absolutely. Swap vanilla pudding for white chocolate or lemon, and pair with fresh fruit slices for a bright twist. These variations rank high among my favorite Torte Dessert Recipes ideas—who says tortes have to be fancy cake layers? A puff pastry base plus flavored filling = simple torte magic.


Bold point: always use instant pudding powder—homemade pudding takes longer to thicken and risks a runny finish. When you rely on the powder, you get stable, creamy filling that holds its shape slice after slice. Plus, you’re tapping into What To Do With Pastry Cream territory with minimal effort.


Pro tip: if you’re short on time, substitute Cool Whip for homemade whipped cream. It still delivers that fluffy cap without the whisking workout. Then, grab your favorite chocolate sauce—homemade or store-bought—and drizzle away. Let your inner child loose: sprinkle mini chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or edible gold dust for extra wow.


At the end of the day, this Cream Puff Cake With Puff Pastry is the dessert you’ll turn to again and again. It feels elegant, but trust me, it’s designed for home bakers who crave big flavor with minimal fuss. From birthdays to holiday tables, this is the Fun, fuss-free treat that makes everyone ask, “Where’d you get this awesome recipe?”

So go ahead—grab that puff pastry, dust off your pudding mix, and let’s bake something legendary. Your guests will think you spent hours in the kitchen, but you’ll know the truth: simple steps, show-stopping result. Now that’s dessert perfection!

A golden puff pastry slab layered with smooth cream puff filling and topped with whipped cream and a drizzle of dark chocolate, served on a decorative white platter.
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A golden puff pastry slab layered with smooth cream puff filling and topped with whipped cream and a drizzle of dark chocolate, served on a decorative white platter.

Cream Puff Cake With Puff Pastry – Easy & Elegant


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Description

Indulge in a silky, rich dessert that captures all the charm of a cream puff—no piping bag required! Top each slice with a swirl of chocolate or white-chocolate curls for extra flair.


Ingredients

For the Pastry Base

  • ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 4 large eggs

For the Filling

  • 1 (8-oz) package cream cheese, softened
  • 2 (3.4-oz) boxes instant vanilla or white-chocolate pudding mix
  • 3 cups cold milk
  • 1 (8-oz) container whipped topping, or 2 cups freshly whipped cream

To Decorate

  • Chocolate syrup or white-chocolate shavings


Instructions

  1. Prep & Preheat
    • Heat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
    • Grease a 9×13″ baking pan; set aside.
  2. Cook the Choux-Style Dough
    • In a medium saucepan over high heat, bring butter and water to a rolling boil.
    • Lower heat to medium-low, add all the flour at once, and stir vigorously until the mixture pulls away from the pan sides and forms a smooth ball.
    • Remove from heat and let the dough rest for 3–4 minutes.
  3. Incorporate the Eggs
    • Transfer dough to a mixing bowl. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. The batter will transform from stiff to glossy and thick.
    • Spread the finished dough evenly into your prepared pan.
  4. Bake & Cool
    • Bake for 30 minutes, or until the crust puffs along the edges and turns golden.
    • Remove from oven and allow to cool completely in the pan.
  5. Prepare the Filling
    • In a separate bowl, whip the cream cheese until smooth.
    • In another bowl, whisk pudding mix and milk until thickened. Fold the pudding into the cream cheese until fully combined.
  6. Assemble the Cake
    • Pour the creamy pudding-cheese mixture over the cooled pastry.
    • Smooth a layer of whipped topping (or fresh whipped cream) on top.
  7. Chill & Serve
    • Refrigerate for at least 1 hour to let the filling set.
    • Just before serving, drizzle with chocolate syrup or sprinkle with white-chocolate curls.

Notes

Make-Ahead Tips

  • Crust: Bake and cool the pastry. Keep it covered at room temperature for up to 24 hours.
  • Filling: Store the pudding-cream cheese mix in an airtight container in the fridge.
  • When you’re ready, simply layer the filling into the crust and top with whipped cream.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Chill Time: 1 hour
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Desserts

Nutrition

  • Calories: 307kcal
  • Sugar: 11g
  • Sodium: 250mg
  • Fat: 21g
  • Saturated Fat: 9g
  • Carbohydrates: 21g
  • Protein: 6g
  • Cholesterol: 95mg

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