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Cream Puffs (Choux Pastry Recipe)
5 from 12 votes

Cream Puffs (Choux Pastry Recipe)

Cream Puffs are light pastry shells made from choux dough that's cooked briefly on the stovetop before baking into hollow, airy puffs. These are filled with a smooth custard blended with whipped cream and a splash of Grand Marnier for subtle warmth. An optional chocolate ganache or a dusting of confectioners sugar finishes them off. The choux method involves boiling butter and water, then mixing in flour and eggs to create a thick batter that puffs when baked, leaving space inside for the creamy filling.

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Additional Time
15 mins
Total Time
1 hr
Servings: 14
Calories: 185 kcal
Course: Bread, Baked Goods
Cuisine: French

Ingredients

Cream Puffs:
  • ½ cup butter (good quality)
  • 8 oz water
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 4 egg at room temperature
Filling:
  • 1 recipe custard printable card below using all the same ingredients, but reduce the milk to ¾ cup or 175 ml, homemade
  • 6 oz heavy whipping cream
  • 2 Tbsp Grand Marnier
Chocolate Ganache(optional):
  • ¼ cup dark chocolate
  • 1 ½ oz heavy whipping cream
Alternative Topping:
  • 1 Tbsp confectioners sugar as needed

Instructions

Make the Choux Pastry:
    Cup of Yum
  1. Heat oven to 400ºF.
  2. First prepare the choux pastry, by placing the butter and water in a medium sized sauce pan over medium heat, until it comes to a rolling boil.
  3. Add the flour, all at once, and stir vigorously with a wooden spoon for about a minute until the mixture forms a ball.
  4. Remove from heat, and allow to cool for a few minutes.
  5. Add an egg, beating well, until well incorporated, before adding the next. Repeat with remaining eggs until. the batter is smooth and satiny.
  6. Place spoonfuls of the batter onto a prepared baking sheet, about 3" apart.
  7. Bake for about 30 minutes. Turn off oven, and leave for 10 minutes, then place on cooling rack. While the cream puffs are baking, make the filling and chocolate glaze (see recipes below.)
Make the Filling:
  1. Whisk the prepared custard, and allow to cool, stirring occasionally so it doesn't form a skin. Add the Grand Marnier.
  2. Fold in the whipped cream, until evenly blended. Keep covered and refrigerated until needed.
Make the Chocolate Glaze:
  1. Be sure to make this just before you want to finish your cream puffs.
  2. Make the chocolate glaze by placing the chocolate and cream together in a small pot and stir until the chocolate is melted and the consistency is smooth.
Assemble:
  1. When the cream puffs are cool, slice in half (don't go all the way through so the top and bottom are still attached) and remove any filaments of raw dough with a spoon or even your fingers.
  2. Fill each cream puff with some of the cream filling (or freshly whipped cream).
Decorate:
  1. Coat the tops with the chocolate glaze. Refrigerate for ½ hour or so to set the glaze.
  2. Alternately, you can dust the cream puffs with powdered sugar.
  3. Best when served as soon as possible.

Notes

  • Ensure eggs are at room temperature to achieve a smooth choux batter.
  • Let the custard cool while stirring occasionally to prevent a skin forming before folding in whipped cream.
  • When baking, place dollops spaced 3 inches apart for even rising and proper expansion.
  • The chocolate ganache should be made while cream puffs bake so it’s ready to use when puffs are cooled.
  • Use a sharp knife to cut each puff before filling to keep their shape intact.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1 cream puff Calories 185kcal (9%) Carbohydrates 12g (4%) Protein 4g (8%) Fat 13g (20%) Saturated Fat 8g (40%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g (6%) Monounsaturated Fat 4g (20%) Trans Fat 0.3g (15%) Cholesterol 95mg (32%) Sodium 94mg (4%) Potassium 85mg (2%) Fiber 0.2g (1%) Sugar 2g (4%) Vitamin A 495IU (10%) Vitamin C 0.1mg (0%) Calcium 48mg (5%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 14 Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 185

% Daily Value*

Serving 1 cream puff
Calories 185kcal 9%
Carbohydrates 12g 4%
Protein 4g 8%
Fat 13g 20%
Saturated Fat 8g 40%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 6%
Monounsaturated Fat 4g 20%
Trans Fat 0.3g 15%
Cholesterol 95mg 32%
Sodium 94mg 4%
Potassium 85mg 2%
Fiber 0.2g 1%
Sugar 2g 4%
Vitamin A 495IU 10%
Vitamin C 0.1mg 0%
Calcium 48mg 5%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.