A cream puff is a small pastry made from choux pastry dough filled with a sweet or savory cream filling. The choux pastry dough is typically baked until it is crisp and hollow inside. Once cooled, the pastry is filled with various fillings such as whipped cream, pastry cream, custard, or ice cream.
Cream Puff
Servings
4
servingsPrep time
30
minutesCooking time
25
minutesCream puffs are often topped with powdered sugar or a glaze for decoration. They are popular as desserts or snacks and are enjoyed in various forms and flavors around the world.
Ingredients
1 cup water
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup all-purpose flour
4 large eggs
Whipped cream, pastry cream, or any desired filling
Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
- In a medium saucepan, combine water, butter, and salt. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat.
- Once the mixture is boiling, reduce the heat to low and add the flour all at once. Stir vigorously with a wooden spoon until the mixture forms a ball and pulls away from the sides of the pan. This should take about 1-2 minutes.
- Transfer the dough to a mixing bowl and let it cool for a few minutes until it’s warm but not hot.
- Add the eggs, one at a time, to the dough, beating well after each addition. The dough should become smooth and glossy.
- Spoon or pipe the dough onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each puff.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until the cream puffs are puffed and golden brown.
- Once baked, remove the cream puffs from the oven and let them cool completely on a wire rack.
- Once cooled, slice the cream puffs in half horizontally and fill them with whipped cream, pastry cream, or any desired filling.
- Dust with powdered sugar if desired and serve.
