Cream Puffs

Cream Puffs are a delightful, light, and airy pastry filled with sweet, creamy filling. They’re perfect for a special dessert or a treat for any occasion. Here’s a classic recipe for making these delicious cream puffs!

Ingredients:

For the Choux Pastry (Dough):

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter

• 1 cup water

• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1 cup all-purpose flour

• 4 large eggs

For the Cream Filling:

• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream

• 2 tablespoons powdered sugar

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For Dusting:

• Powdered sugar (optional)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Choux Pastry:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.

2. In a medium saucepan, combine the butter, water, sugar, and salt. Place the pan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a boil.

3. Once the butter has melted and the mixture is boiling, add the flour all at once, stirring vigorously with a wooden spoon. Continue stirring until the mixture pulls away from the sides of the pan and forms a ball (about 1-2 minutes). You’ll notice a slight film forming on the bottom of the pan.

4. Remove from heat and let it cool for a minute or so.

5. Add the eggs one at a time: Beat one egg into the dough with the wooden spoon until fully incorporated. Repeat with each of the remaining eggs. The dough will become smooth, shiny, and somewhat thick.

6. Transfer the dough to a piping bag fitted with a large round tip (or you can use a plastic sandwich bag with the tip cut off).

7. Pipe the dough onto the baking sheet into small mounds (about 1 to 1 1/2 inches wide). Leave about 2 inches between each puff.

8. Bake the puffs in the preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes, or until they are golden brown and puffed up. Do not open the oven door while they bake, as the puffs might collapse.

9. Once golden and puffed, remove the puffs from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack. Once cooled, carefully cut a slit in each puff to allow steam to escape and prevent sogginess.

2. Prepare the Cream Filling:

1. In a medium bowl, whip the heavy cream with the powdered sugar and vanilla extract until soft peaks form.

2. Once the cream puffs have cooled, fill them with the whipped cream using a piping bag or a spoon. You can either cut the top off each puff and spoon the filling inside or pipe the filling into the center of the puff.

3. Serve:

1. Dust the cream puffs with powdered sugar for a beautiful finish (optional).

2. Serve the cream puffs immediately, or refrigerate them until ready to serve. They’re best enjoyed within a few hours of filling.

These Cream Puffs are light, flaky, and filled with a deliciously sweet cream. A perfect treat to enjoy with coffee, tea, or after a meal! Enjoy! 🍰