Boston Cream Puffs
User Reviews
5
Boston Cream Puffs
Description
This recipe for Boston Cream Puffs features three main components: choux pastry, cooked vanilla custard filling, and chocolate glaze. The custard is thickened using sugar, cornstarch, egg yolks, milk, butter, and vanilla, cooked over medium heat until it reaches a pudding-like consistency and chilled to set. The choux pastry is made from water, butter, flour, salt, and eggs, baked until puffed and golden to provide a hollow shell for the filling.
After baking, the choux puffs are filled with the chilled custard, which provides a creamy and smooth contrast to the crisp pastry. The pastry is then dipped or topped with a ganache-style chocolate glaze made with chopped bittersweet chocolate and heavy cream, which adds a rich and glossy coating to the puffs.
Boston Cream Puffs are ideal for dessert occasions where delicate presentation and layered textures are appreciated. Typically, they are best made the day they will be served to avoid sogginess, as the filling can soften the shells over time. Serve chilled or at room temperature alongside coffee or tea.
To keep the choux crisply textured, store unfilled puffs at room temperature and fill just before serving. The recipe does not double well, so make single batches. Avoid overfilling the puffs to prevent mess during eating.
Ingredients
For the Boston Cream Filling:
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 corn starch 1/2 tablespoon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 4 egg large yolks, at room temperature
- 1 whole milk 1/3 cups
- 2 tablespoons butter unsalted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract pure
For the Cream Puff Pastry:
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup butter cubed
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour not packed
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 egg large, at room temperature
For the Chocolate Glaze:
- 4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chopped
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
Instructions
For the Boston Cream Filling:
- In a medium saucepan, add the granulated sugar, cornstarch, and salt; whisk well to combine. All at once, add in the egg yolks and whisk until smooth. Add in 1/3 cup of the milk and whisk until combined; whisk in the remaining milk. Place the pan over medium heat. Cook the mixture, stirring constantly with a whisk, until thick and creamy, about 8 to 10 minutes. You will know the mixture is done when it's thick enough to coat the back of a spoon and almost resembles pudding. Remove pan from heat and whisk in the butter and vanilla; beat until smooth. Transfer the custard to a heatproof bowl and cover tightly with plastic wrap. Be sure to press the plastic wrap right against the surface of the pudding to prevent "skin" from forming. Use a small knife to poke a few holes in the plastic. Place bowl in the refrigerator for 1 hour, or until completely chilled and firm.
For the Cream Puff Pastry:
- Preheat oven to 400°(F). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside.
- In a large saucepan, combine the water and cubed butter; bring to a light boil. All at once, add the flour and salt, stirring constantly until a smooth ball forms. Remove from heat and allow the mixture to rest for 5 minutes (set a timer as this recipe is time sensitive). Add in the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Continue beating until mixture is completely smooth.
- Drop rounded tablespoonfuls of the dough onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving 2 inches in between each for spreading. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until puffy and lightly golden brown. Transfer the warm puffs onto a cooling rack. Using a serrated knife, immediately - and carefully - slice the puff shells in half, horizontally. Gently gut and discard the soft dough from the bottom half of the shell (leave the tops of the shells as is). Set shells aside (tops and bottoms) to cool.
For the Chocolate Glaze:
- Place the chopped chocolate in a small, heatproof bowl; set aside. In a small saucepan, heat the cream to a light simmer; pour warmed cream over the chopped chip. Allow the mixture to stand for 1 minute, then gently stir until the chocolate is fully melted and the mixture is completely smooth.
Assembly:
- Fill each cream puff with a few tablespoons of the Boston cream; replace the tops. Drizzle a tablespoon of the chocolate glaze on top of each. Serve at once, or keep cream puffs stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Notes
- Follow the recipe precisely for best texture and custard consistency.
- Cream puffs are best eaten the same day but may be refrigerated for up to 3 days.
- Do not double the recipe; prepare batches separately for consistent results.
- Fill cream puffs with 2 to 3 heaping tablespoons of custard to avoid overstuffing and messy eating.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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