Description
A delightful recipe for light, airy Italian cream puffs filled with a rich pastry cream.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 large egg yolks
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium saucepan, combine water, butter, and salt. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat.
- Remove the pan from the heat. Add the flour all at once and stir vigorously until the mixture forms a smooth ball that pulls away from the sides of the pan.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition until the dough is smooth and glossy.
- Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 15 minutes at 400°F (200°C). Reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) and bake for another 15-20 minutes, or until the puffs are golden brown and firm. Do not open the oven door during baking.
- Turn off the oven and let the puffs dry inside with the door slightly ajar for 15 minutes. Remove and cool completely on a wire rack.
- To make the pastry cream, whisk together milk, sugar, cornstarch, and egg yolks in a saucepan until smooth.
- Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens significantly. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract. Cover the surface directly with plastic wrap and chill thoroughly.
- Whip the heavy cream until soft peaks form. Gently fold the whipped cream into the chilled pastry cream.
- Once the puffs are cool, use a small knife or piping tip to make a small hole in the bottom of each puff. Fill each puff with the cream mixture.
- Dust the filled cream puffs with powdered sugar before serving.
Notes
- For best texture, do not open the oven door while the cream puffs are baking.
- Chill the pastry cream completely before folding in the whipped cream for a lighter filling.
- Prep Time: 30 min
- Cook Time: 35 min
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 puff
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 18
- Sodium: 150
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Unsaturated Fat: 6
- Trans Fat: 0.5
- Carbohydrates: 25
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 6
- Cholesterol: 100
Keywords: Italian cream puffs, profiteroles, choux pastry, pastry cream, dessert, sweet treat