Mini Pastries

Name: Mini Pastries
Prep time: PTM
Yield: 0

Difficulty: Difficult
Makes: persone
Cost: Average

PRESENTATION

In Southern Italy, mini pastries are totally the stars at any celebration or family gathering. You know, sweet shops in places like Naples and Sicily are filled with colorful bite-sized pastries showcasing all sorts of fillings and shapes. Seriously, these are amazing. There’s the classic cartucce napoletane with their almond flavor and tender texture. And the mini eclairs? Right next to those little fruit tarts, waiting to be picked up.

These mini desserts—they're really really about bringing joy to the table. Whether you go for a crispy shell filled with lemon cream or a moist choux pastry packed with sweet custard, each one is a delight. And look, people often serve them with a tiny cup of strong Italian coffee or a splash of chilled liqueur. Makes even the simplest gathering feel special. The mix of flavors and textures is pure Southern Italian tradition.

The fun part? Pasticcini mignon aren’t just for pastry shops. Folks at home whip up trays of these mini pastries for birthdays, holiday parties, or just a happy Sunday with friends. So many variations! Depending on where you are in the South—some have pistachio cream, others go for that crema al caffè, which gives everything a bit of rich, sweet energy. And the best part? Everyone gets to try a little bit of everything, from golden puff pastry cannoncini stuffed with velvety cream to bite-sized pastries topped with glossy fruit.

These treats are about more than just dessert—they bring smiles, laughter, and a sense of togetherness that’s hard to beat. So many of these mini desserts can be put together without too much fuss, which means even home bakers can have fun making and sharing these tiny sweets. Southern Italian traditions make every bite feel special. Honestly, with so many types—from mini tarts to mini cream puffs—there’s always something new and tangy or tender to discover. Each pastry is a small celebration of flavors, a testament to the region's rich culinary heritage. Really, you gotta try it.

Puff Pastry Cannoli with Custard

Puff pastry cannoli with custard are a classic of pastry making: a crunchy shell of puff pastry filled with soft custard and decorated with hazelnut crumbs!

Puff Pastry Cannoli with Custard Cream to see the puff pastry cannoli recipe card!

Diplomat Cake

The diplomat cake is a famous dessert: two crispy layers of puff pastry enclose a soft heart of sponge cake, all filled with delicious diplomat cream, which is born from the union of sweet custard and delicate chantilly cream! Cut into smaller pieces, you'll get mini diplomat cakes to eat in one bite!

To see the diplomat cake recipe, Diplomatica

Fruit Baskets

Fruit baskets are delightful and colorful finger food pastries: a small shortcrust shell filled with custard and decorated with plenty of fresh fruit!

You can find the fruit baskets recipe card Fruit tartlets

Cream Chinese Pastries

Chinese pastries are small and delicious pastries made of two discs of light oil shortcrust, filled with custard and garnished with hazelnut crumbs!

Preparing Chinese pastries is quick and easy: Cinesini with cream

Éclair

Éclairs are pastries made with choux pastry, the same used for cream puffs, but instead of their round shape, they have a long shape! Our éclairs are filled with delicious caramel cream and covered with fondant sugar, just as per the tradition of French pastry!

You can find the photo recipe of the éclairs Éclair

Cream Puffs

Cream puffs are the most delicious pastries you can find: no one can resist these little choux pastry bites filled with custard and covered with dark chocolate!

Want to know how to prepare cream puffs? Cream Puffs

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