This Strawberry Croissant Sandwich with Almond Whipped Cream is a delightful treat that transforms ordinary croissants into an extraordinary dessert experience. The buttery, flaky croissants perfectly complement the fresh strawberries and cloud-like almond-infused whipped cream, creating a beautiful balance of textures and flavors. Best of all, it comes together in just minutes, making it perfect for impromptu gatherings or when you need a quick but impressive dessert!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Incredibly Simple: With just a handful of ingredients and minimal prep work, you’ll have a gorgeous dessert ready in under 15 minutes.
- Impressively Elegant: Despite the simplicity, these strawberry croissant sandwiches look absolutely stunning on a plate. Your guests will think you spent hours in the kitchen!
- Versatile: Perfect for breakfast, brunch, afternoon tea, or dessert – these sweet sandwiches fit any occasion from casual family breakfasts to elegant dinner parties.
- Customizable: Easy to adjust based on what’s in season or your personal preferences. The basic formula works beautifully with different fruits and flavor combinations.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Heavy Cream: The foundation for our luxurious whipped topping. Its high fat content creates that perfect, stable cloud of creaminess that makes this dessert special.
- White Sugar: Adds just the right amount of sweetness to the whipped cream without overpowering the natural sweetness of the strawberries.
- Almond Extract: This is the secret weapon! Just a teaspoon transforms ordinary whipped cream into something magical with a subtle nutty complexity that pairs beautifully with strawberries.
- Store-bought Croissants: Let’s be honest – who has time to make croissants from scratch? Good quality store-bought ones work perfectly here and save tons of time.
- Fresh Strawberries: The star of the show! Look for bright red, fragrant berries for the best flavor. The fresher, the better!
Variations
Different Fruits
Swap strawberries for raspberries, blueberries, peaches, or even bananas. Each fruit brings its own unique character to the sandwich.
Flavor Twists
Replace almond extract with vanilla, orange, or even coconut extract for a completely different flavor profile.
Chocolate Addition
Drizzle some melted chocolate over the strawberries or spread a thin layer of Nutella on the croissant before adding the fruit.
Fancy Version
Add a sprinkle of toasted sliced almonds or a dusting of powdered sugar for extra elegance and texture.
How to Make Strawberry Croissant Sandwich with Almond Whipped Cream
Step 1: Make the Almond Whipped Cream
In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the heavy cream, sugar, and almond extract. Using the whisk attachment, beat on medium speed until soft peaks begin to form. Continue beating just until medium peaks are reached – the cream should hold its shape but still have a slight softness to it.
Step 2: Prepare the Croissants
Using a serrated knife, carefully slice your croissants horizontally. A gentle sawing motion works best to keep the delicate pastry from crushing.
Step 3: Layer the Strawberries
Arrange a generous layer of strawberry slices on the bottom half of each croissant. Don’t be shy – the juicy strawberries are what make this dessert so refreshing.
Step 4: Add Another Layer of Strawberries
Add a second layer of strawberry slices on top of the first. This double layer ensures you get plenty of fruit in every bite.
Step 5: Add the Whipped Cream
Spoon about a quarter of your almond whipped cream onto the strawberry layers of each croissant. You can be precise or go for a more rustic look – both work beautifully.
Step 6: Complete the Sandwich
Place the top half of each croissant over the whipped cream, pressing down very gently. Serve immediately while everything is fresh and the whipped cream is at its best.
Pro Tips for Making the Recipe
- Watch the Whipped Cream Carefully: The difference between perfectly whipped cream and over-whipped cream happens in seconds. Stop when you reach medium peaks – the cream should hold its shape but still look silky.
- Choose the Right Croissants: Look for croissants that are fresh but not too delicate. Day-old croissants actually work well since they’re slightly firmer and can hold the filling better.
- Slice Strawberries Uniformly: Try to cut your strawberry slices to a similar thickness so they stack nicely and provide consistent flavor in each bite.
- Assembly Timing: These are best assembled right before serving. If you need to prepare components ahead, keep the whipped cream, sliced strawberries, and croissants separate until the last minute.
- Gentle Handling: Use a light touch when assembling to preserve the croissants’ flaky texture and avoid squishing the filling out the sides.
How to Serve
Perfect Pairings
Serve these strawberry croissant sandwiches with a cup of coffee, tea, or even a glass of champagne for an extra special touch. They’re particularly lovely with a cappuccino or latte.
Serving Occasions
These make a perfect centerpiece for a Mother’s Day brunch, baby shower, or afternoon tea party. They’re also wonderful as a light dessert after a summer meal.
Presentation Ideas
For an elegant presentation, place each sandwich on individual dessert plates with a few extra strawberry slices and perhaps a mint leaf for garnish.
Make Ahead and Storage
Preparing Components Ahead
You can slice the strawberries a few hours ahead and store them covered in the refrigerator. The whipped cream can be made up to 4 hours in advance and kept chilled, though you may need to give it a quick whisk before using.
Storing Leftovers
These sandwiches are truly best enjoyed immediately after assembly. The delicate croissants begin to soften once they come in contact with the moist filling. If you must store leftovers, keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for no more than 24 hours.
Freezing
I don’t recommend freezing these sandwiches, as the texture of both the whipped cream and croissants would be compromised upon thawing.
FAQs
Can I make the whipped cream without a stand mixer?
Absolutely! A handheld electric mixer works perfectly fine. In a pinch, you can even whip cream by hand with a whisk – it takes more effort but produces excellent results. Just keep whisking vigorously until you reach medium peaks.
How do I know when my whipped cream is at the right consistency?
When you lift your whisk out of the cream, it should form peaks that stand up but have tips that gently curl over. If the peaks stand straight and look grainy, you’ve gone too far. If they immediately melt back into the cream, keep beating a bit longer.
Can I prepare these in advance for a party?
For the best experience, I recommend preparing the components ahead (whipped cream and sliced strawberries) but assembling the sandwiches no more than 30 minutes before serving. The croissants stay crispier this way, and the presentation will be much fresher.
What can I substitute for almond extract if I have an allergy?
Vanilla extract makes a wonderful substitute! You could also try orange extract, rose water, or even a splash of Grand Marnier for an adult version.
Final Thoughts
This Strawberry Croissant Sandwich with Almond Whipped Cream recipe proves that sometimes the simplest combinations create the most memorable treats. There’s something magical about the way the buttery croissant, sweet strawberries, and almond-scented cream come together into perfect harmony. I hope you’ll try this recipe the next time you want to treat yourself or impress guests with minimal effort – it’s my go-to when I need something special in a hurry!
PrintStrawberry Croissant Sandwich with Almond Whipped Cream Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: No-cook
- Cuisine: French
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A delightful and easy-to-make Strawberry Croissant Sandwich recipe filled with luscious almond-flavored whipped cream and fresh strawberries, perfect for breakfast or a quick dessert.
Ingredients
For the Almond Whipped Cream:
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- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/3 cup white sugar
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
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For the Sandwich:
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- 4 store-bought croissants
- 1/2 pint fresh strawberries, sliced
Instructions
- Prepare the Almond Whipped Cream: In the bowl of a stand mixer, add the heavy cream, sugar, and almond extract.
- Beat the Mixture: Use the whisk attachment and beat on medium speed. Once soft peaks begin to form, keep a close eye on the mixture. Continue beating until medium peaks are reached. Ensure you do not overbeat.
- Slice the Croissants: Cut the croissants horizontally in half using a serrated knife for clean and even cuts.
- Assemble the Sandwich: Add a layer of sliced strawberries onto the bottom half of each croissant. Add a second layer of strawberries for extra flavor.
- Add the Whipped Cream: Top each croissant with ¼ of the prepared almond whipped cream.
- Finish and Serve: Place the top half of the croissant over the whipped cream layer and serve immediately.
Notes
- You can use an electric hand mixer if you do not have a stand mixer.
- Feel free to add more or less strawberries or sugar to adjust to your preference.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
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