Vol-au-vent cases
Vol-au-vents, whether large or bite-sized, need a special pastry case that is hollow to take the filling.
Here is how to prepare these delicate cases using puff pastry.
Here is how to prepare these delicate cases using puff pastry.
322 K 3.8/5 (123 reviews)
45 min.
Average
8 pieces
2 IngredientsLast modified on: October 16th 2013
For 8 pieces, you will need:
600 ml 
40 ml 
Times for this recipe
Preparation: 25 min.
Cooking: 20 min.
All in all: 45 min.
If you start now, at , you will finish around : ?.Change start time
To finish around 7pm, you'll need to have started before: .Change end time
Step by step recipe
Stage 1 - 5 min.
Preheat the oven to 430°F (220°C).
Roll out the pastry on the worktop to about 1 cm (0.4 inch) thick.
This is easier if you use two guides of the right height; here I am using steel rules.
Roll out the pastry on the worktop to about 1 cm (0.4 inch) thick.
This is easier if you use two guides of the right height; here I am using steel rules.
Stage 2 - 2 min.
Using a 7cm (3 inch) diameter cutter, "mark" the pastry. In other words, do not cut completely through it, but stop before reaching the worktop.
This is the inner circle that will be taken out to form the hollow inside of the case in due course.
This is the inner circle that will be taken out to form the hollow inside of the case in due course.
Stage 3 - 2 min.
Next, using a 9 cm (3.5 inch) cutter - preferably fluted, as this is prettier - cut right through to the worktop.
Stage 4 - 10 min.
Cut out circles like this with all the pastry.
Stage 5 - 2 min.
Place the cases on a baking sheet and glaze.
Stage 6 - 20 min.
Bake in the oven until the pastry is well risen.
Stage 7 - 3 min.
After baking, remove the little "hat" and hollow out the case to take the filling.
Your vol-au-vent cases are ready for use. If you are not planning to use them immediately, they will be better if reheated in the oven.
Your vol-au-vent cases are ready for use. If you are not planning to use them immediately, they will be better if reheated in the oven.
Keeping: A few days in an airtight tin. Reheat in the oven before use.
Source: Home made.
Nutritional information
| Proteins (gr) | Carbohydrates (gr) | Fats (gr) | Energy value (in k-calories) | Energy value (in k-joules) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whole recipe | 300 RDI=110 % | 2,220 RDI=210 % | 2,050 RDI=310 % | 2,670 RDI=130 % | 11,190 RDI: 130 % |
| Per 100 g | 50 RDI=20 % | 350 RDI=30 % | 320 RDI=50 % | 420 RDI=20 % | 1,750 RDI: 20 % |
| Per piece | 40 RDI=10 % | 280 RDI=30 % | 260 RDI=40 % | 330 RDI=20 % | 1,400 RDI: 20 % |
How much will it cost?
- For 8 pieces : 1.95 €
- Per piece : 0.25 €
Change currency: 
Note: Be careful, these prices are only an estimate, you can consult the table of prices by ingredients used for this estimate.
Some other recipes using this recipe
Vol-au-vent
The classic vol-au-vent of French cuisine consists of a very light puff pastry case (supposedly so light that it could fly off in the lightest puff of wind) with a cream-based filling. There are many different recipes for fillings. This version uses bacon, chicken, mushrooms and leeks.
157 K4.3 1 hour 25 min.
This recipe uses (among others)
Puff or flaky pastry (pâte feuilletée)
You can get more informations, or check-out other recipes which use it, for example: Mini palmiers, Tart Tatin, Rustic chicken and mushroom pie, Vegetable rosette tart, Ch'ti mussel tarts, ... See them all 72
Beaten egg
You can get more informations, or check-out other recipes which use it, for example: Nanterre brioche, Angevin plum pâté, Beef Wellington, French croissants, Mini apricot and pistachio brioches, ... See them all 80
Other recipes you may also like
Caramelised apple pie
Apple pie made with caramelised apples. September 11th 2018267 K4.3 1 hour 55 min.
Gingerbread
Maybe this recipe will bring back memories. February 21th 2011294 K4.2 1 hour 4 min.
Chocolate tart
As you can see, there's very little added sugar in this recipe, so it's a very chocolatey and bitter-sweet tart. November 16th 2013302 K 15 2 hours 30 min.
Belle-helene in a glass
It's a recipe where you make 4 layers of different creams in a small glass: vanilla cream, small dice of pear cooked in maple syrup, chocolate mousse and whipped cream. It should be served to your guests cool but not too cold . February 21th 2011266 K3.8 1 hour 50 min.
Macarons (the original French macaroons)
This recipe really is "of the moment": the success of these small, highly-coloured cakes, in an infinite variety of flavours, is impressive. It's a recipe which needs some care, in order to produce a result worthy of a professional pastrychef. No problem, I will guide you through the recipe, particularly the tricky parts. This variety of flavours means that I test many alternatives, so don't be surprised if in the pictures the colour of the macarons changes, I used the best photograph available... October 3rd 20191.60 M 714.6 2 hours 40 min.
News list of cooking-ez.com
Sign up to receive the latest recipes (next batch due to be sent on 2025-09-14)
Note: We'll never share your e-mail address with anyone else.
Post a comment or question
Follow this recipe (as 4 people already do)
If you are interested in this recipe, you can "follow" it, by entering your email address here. You will then receive a notification immediately each time the recipe is modified or a new comment is added. Please note that you will need to confirm this following.
Note: We'll never share your e-mail address with anyone else.
Alternatively: you can subscribe to the mailing list of cooling-ez.com , you will receive a e-mail for each new recipe published on the site.