Custard-Filled Pastry Horns | Daughter of Smoke & Bone

          I recently (finally!) read Laini Taylor's young adult novel Daughter and Smoke and Bone for book club and really enjoyed it. Her writing style clicked with me, and the cast of characters, worlds, and magic systems she's created are very intriguing. I could have done without the insta-love and overwhelming ardor-ous smilies that dominated much of the book (though someone said that it's explained later on), because, to me, it felt like it dragged the story. I'm invested enough though, and enjoy the writing and creativity enough, to want to know what happens next, like, I'm so curious about the world of the chimeras and seraphim, and I've just gotta know if certain characters are okay or not! I have the other two books in the trilogy waiting on my shelves, so it'll be sooner rather than later (just need to make time).

          Mentioned a couple of times in the book (chaps 8 & 59), I made my version of "custard-filled pastries in the shape of horns" to take to the book club meeting. Other themed treats people brought were goulash (I made my own version too! I'll post it soon), apple strudel, chocolate croissants, and even an impressive penis-shaped cake. Yep. Because it was cake it became an essential penis, though I'm sure Brimstone would still disagree ;).

          "Sweet girl." Yasri bustled out of the kitchen with a tea tray. Beside the teapot was a plate of the custard-filled pastries in the shape of horns that were her specialty. "You must be hungry," she said in her parrot voice. With a sideward glance at Brimstone, she added, "It's not healthy for a growing girl, always running off hither and thither at not a moment's notice."
          "That's me, hither-and-thither girl," said Karou. She grabbed a pastry and slumped in her chair to eat it.
          Brimstone spared her a glance, then said to Yasri, "And I suppose it's healthy for a growing girl to live on pastry?"

–Chapter 8, Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor

♥ This post goes out to an anonymous reader who requested something from DoSaB! ♥
Stay tuned for a full menu (food list) from Daughter of Smoke and Bone.

Custard-Filled Pastry Horns

---

Ingredients:

2 Sheets Puff Pastry, thawed

1 Egg White, beaten

Powdered Sugar, for dusting

Custard

1 Cup Milk

2 Tbsp. Butter

2 Egg Yolks

1/4 Cup Sugar

2 Tbsp. Cornstarch

2 Tbsp. Water

1/2 tsp. Vanilla

1/4 Cup Heavy Cream

Directions:

1. Custard: Place a mixing bowl in the freezer to chill. In a pot over low heat, scald the milk & butter. In a mixing bowl, vigorously whisk the yolks with the sugar until creamy (make sure you reserve 1 of the whites for later). Combine the water & cornstarch in a small bowl until the cornstarch is dissolved & then whisk this mixture into the egg mixture. Whisk about 1/2 of the milk mixture into the yolk mixture & then pour it back into the pot, whisking constantly. Add the vanilla & heat on medium-low until very thick, continuing to whisk. Plop into into a container & cover with plastic wrap touching the top of the custard, & then place in the fridge to cool completely.

2. Once the custard is chilled, remove the mixing bowl from the freezer & pour the heavy cream into it. Beat the cream until it becomes thick & smooth peaks form & stay (don't beat so much that it gets clumpy!). Fold this whipped cream into the custard & place back in the fridge until needed.

3. Pastry Horns: Line 2 large baking trays with parchment. Cut 24 6" wide pieces of foil & roll them diagonally, somewhat loosely, & then fold them over in the middle & taper the ends. They should look like wedges or cones. Spray them wit non-stick spray & lay them on the baking trays.

4. Heat your oven to 400ºF. Lightly flour a flat work surface & roll 1 of the pastry sheets to about 12" wide & 10" tall. Using a pizza cutter, vertically cut 1" strips (so you'll end up with 12 strips). Wrap each strip around 1 of the foil cones, starting at the bottom, overlapping as you go up. Brush a small amount of egg white at the close of the pastry strip & then lay it closed side down on the tray. Place the pastry horns about 1" apart. Repeat with the second pastry sheet. Bake one pan at a time for about 18-20 minutes, or until  the horns are golden brown. Remove from the oven & transfer to a cooling rack. Once cool enough to handle very carefully & slowly twist & pull the foil cones out of the pastries. Let the horns cool completely.

5. Fold the edges of a decorating bag or large freezer bag over the edges of a tall cup & scoop the custard into it. Gather up the edges & twist, securing with a rubber band, & then snip the tip (or a corner) of the bag. Pipe custard into each of the horns & place them on a tray or into a flat container. Put them in the fridge for a few hours or overnight (this melds the custard & pastry perfectly). Before serving, dust each horn with powdered sugar. These are wonderful with tea & great for a prison picnic ;).