Cream Puffs Recipe
The origins of cream puffs can be traced back to 16th-century France, where they were first developed by the chef of Catherine de Médicis.
Equipment
- Medium saucepan
- Mixing spoon
- Wooden spoon or silicone spatula
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Piping bag or zip-top bag
- Whisk or hand mixer
- Cooling rack
Instructions
- Preheat and PreparePreheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Make the Choux PastryIn a medium saucepan, combine butter, water, and salt. Heat over medium heat until the butter melts and the mixture begins to boil.Reduce the heat to low and quickly stir in the flour all at once using a wooden spoon or silicone spatula. Stir vigorously until the dough pulls away from the sides of the pan and forms a ball (this takes about 1-2 minutes).Remove the pan from heat and let the dough cool for 5 minutes.Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. The dough should be smooth, shiny, and slightly thick.
- Pipe and BakeTransfer the dough to a piping bag or zip-top bag with a corner snipped off. Pipe 2-inch mounds onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.Bake for 15 minutes at 425°F, then reduce the oven temperature to 375°F (190°C) and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the puffs are golden brown and firm.Turn off the oven and let the puffs cool inside with the door slightly ajar for 10 minutes. Then transfer them to a cooling rack.
- Prepare the FillingIn a large mixing bowl, whisk the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form. This can be done using a hand mixer for quicker results.
- Assemble the Cream PuffsOnce the pastry shells are completely cool, slice them in half horizontally or cut a small hole in the bottom of each puff.Fill a clean piping bag with the whipped cream and pipe the filling generously into each puff.
- Add Finishing TouchesDust the filled cream puffs with powdered sugar for a classic look.Drizzle with chocolate ganache if desired for an extra touch of decadence.