Description
Grandma’s cherished cream puffs elevate dessert memories with delicate pastry shells and silky custard filling. Delightful French-inspired treats will transport you to sweet nostalgia, promising pure indulgence in every delicate bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
Pastry Base:
- 1 stick (8 tablespoons / 113 grams) butter
- 1 cup water
Flavoring:
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- Combine butter, water, and vanilla in a medium saucepan, bringing the mixture to a vigorous boil over high heat.
- Quickly incorporate flour into the bubbling liquid, stirring continuously until the mixture transforms into a cohesive, smooth dough ball that pulls away from the pan’s sides.
- Remove the saucepan from heat and allow the dough to cool for 2-3 minutes, preventing egg scrambling during the next step.
- Incorporate eggs one at a time, vigorously mixing each addition until the dough becomes silky and uniform in texture.
- Preheat the oven to 400F (200C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Carefully drop rounded tablespoon-sized dough portions onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them evenly.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until the puffs achieve a golden-brown exterior and have dramatically expanded in size.
- Transfer the baked puffs to a wire rack and allow them to cool completely at room temperature.
- Prepare the creamy filling by whisking heavy cream, pudding mix, and milk until the mixture achieves a thick, luxurious consistency similar to whipped cream.
- Gently slice each cooled puff horizontally using a sharp knife.
- Fill the puffs generously with the prepared cream mixture, using either a piping bag or a spoon.
- Delicately dust the filled cream puffs with a light sprinkle of powdered sugar for an elegant finishing touch.
Notes
- Ensure butter and water are at a rolling boil before adding flour to create a perfect choux pastry base for crispy, hollow puffs.
- Use room temperature eggs for smoother incorporation and better rise, preventing lumpy or dense pastry texture.
- Pipe or scoop filling carefully to avoid overfilling, which can make the delicate puffs soggy and lose their signature crunch.
- Try flavor variations by adding cocoa powder to the choux pastry or using different pudding mix flavors for unique cream puff experiences.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 245 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 105 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 165 mg