Description
Cream Puffs are light and airy French pastries made from choux pastry dough, filled with a sweet and creamy filling like whipped cream or pastry cream. Perfect as a delicate dessert or elegant treat.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 large eggs
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- For the filling:
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Optional: powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium saucepan, bring water, butter, and salt to a boil over medium heat.
- Remove from heat and immediately add the flour all at once, stirring vigorously until the mixture forms a ball and pulls away from the sides of the pan.
- Return the pan to low heat and cook, stirring constantly, for about 1-2 minutes to dry the dough slightly.
- Transfer the dough to a mixing bowl and let cool for 5 minutes.
- Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition until the dough is smooth and glossy.
- Using a spoon or piping bag, drop or pipe mounds of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 15 minutes at 425°F, then reduce oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) and bake for an additional 20 minutes until puffed and golden brown.
- Remove from oven and cool completely on a wire rack.
- For the filling, whip heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form.
- Cut the cooled puffs in half and fill with whipped cream.
- Dust with powdered sugar before serving if desired.
Notes
- Ensure dough cools slightly before adding eggs to prevent scrambling.
- Fill cream puffs just before serving to keep pastry crisp.
- Try different fillings like pastry cream, chocolate mousse, or ice cream.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cream puff
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: cream puffs, choux pastry, French pastry, whipped cream dessert, homemade cream puffs