Cream Puffs

Here’s a delightful recipe for Cream Puffs! These light and airy pastries are filled with a rich cream filling and are perfect for desserts or special occasions.

Ingredients:

For the Choux Pastry:

• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 4 large eggs

For the Cream Filling:

• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Optional Toppings:

• Powdered sugar for dusting
• Chocolate ganache or melted chocolate for drizzling

Instructions:

Step 1: Make the Choux Pastry

1. Preheat the Oven:
   • Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Prepare the Dough:
   • In a medium saucepan, combine the water and butter. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring until the butter is melted.
   • Once boiling, remove the saucepan from heat and add the flour and salt all at once. Stir vigorously with a wooden spoon until the mixture forms a ball and pulls away from the sides of the pan.
3. Add the Eggs:
   • Let the dough cool for a few minutes. Then, add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition until the dough is smooth and glossy.
4. Pipe the Pastry:
   • Transfer the dough to a piping bag fitted with a large round tip. Pipe small mounds (about 1-2 inches in diameter) onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each puff.
5. Bake:
   • Bake in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes, or until the cream puffs are golden brown and puffed up. Do not open the oven door during baking, as this can cause them to deflate.
   • Once baked, remove from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack.

Step 2: Make the Cream Filling

6. Whip the Cream:
   • In a mixing bowl, combine the heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Using an electric mixer, whip the cream until stiff peaks form.

Step 3: Assemble the Cream Puffs

7. Fill the Cream Puffs:
   • Once the cream puffs are completely cool, use a sharp knife to cut a small slit in the side of each puff or use a piping bag to fill them from the bottom.
   • Fill each cream puff with the whipped cream mixture.
8. Optional Toppings:
   • Dust the filled cream puffs with powdered sugar or drizzle with chocolate ganache for an extra touch.

Serving Suggestions:

These Cream Puffs are perfect for:

• Serving at parties or gatherings
• Enjoying as a sweet treat with coffee or tea

Enjoy your delicious homemade Cream Puffs! They are sure to impress your family and friends with their light texture and creamy filling.