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Cream Puffs: The Ultimate Guide to Making Perfect Pastries at Home


  • Author: Dottie
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 12 cream puffs 1x

Description

Enjoy these airy cream puffs filled with rich whipped cream, perfect for impressing guests or satisfying your sweet cravings. Easy to make and delightful to eat, they are a must-try treat for any occasion!


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup water
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for the cream filling)
  • Chocolate or caramel sauce (for drizzling, optional)

Instructions

  1. In a medium saucepan, combine the water and unsalted butter. Place it over medium heat and bring it to a gentle boil, stirring occasionally.
  2. Once boiling, remove from heat and add the all-purpose flour and salt all at once. Stir vigorously until the mixture forms a ball and pulls away from the sides of the pan (about 1-2 minutes).
  3. Let the dough cool for about 5 minutes to avoid cooking the eggs.
  4. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition until the dough is smooth and glossy. Add vanilla extract with the last egg if desired.
  5. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  6. Transfer the choux pastry dough into a piping bag fitted with a large round tip.
  7. Pipe small mounds of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
  8. Dip your finger in water and smooth out any peaks on the tops of the mounds.
  9. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and puffed. Avoid opening the oven door during the first 20 minutes.
  10. Turn off the oven and crack the door open slightly, letting the cream puffs sit for an additional 10 minutes.
  11. Remove from the oven and cool completely on a wire rack.
  12. In a large mixing bowl, pour in the heavy cream and beat on medium speed until it starts to thicken.
  13. Add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, then beat on high speed until stiff peaks form (about 3-5 minutes).
  14. Transfer the whipped cream to a piping bag fitted with a star tip.
  15. Once the cream puffs are cool, use a sharp knife to make a small hole in the bottom of each puff.
  16. Fill each puff with the whipped cream using the piping bag.
  17. Drizzle with chocolate or caramel sauce if desired, and serve immediately.

Notes

  • Ensure the dough cools slightly before adding the eggs to prevent cooking them.
  • For best results, do not open the oven door while baking until the last few minutes.
  • You can customize the filling by adding flavors like cocoa powder or fruit puree to the whipped cream.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes