Classic Cream Puffs with Custard Filling
Ingredients:
For the Puffs (Choux Pastry):
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs (at room temperature)
For the Custard Filling:
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 4 large egg yolks
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
For the Topping:
- Powdered sugar (for dusting)
- Whipped cream (optional, for extra decoration)
Instructions:
1. Make the Choux Pastry (Puffs):
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Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
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In a medium saucepan, combine water and butter. Heat over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until the butter is melted and the mixture comes to a boil.
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Add the flour, salt, and sugar all at once, and stir vigorously with a wooden spoon until the mixture forms a dough that pulls away from the sides of the pan (about 1-2 minutes). You’ll hear a slight “sizzling” sound as the dough cooks.
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Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the dough cool for about 5 minutes.
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Once the dough has cooled slightly, add the eggs, one at a time, beating vigorously after each addition. The dough will look slightly separated at first, but keep beating until it’s smooth, shiny, and thick, like a thick cake batter.
2. Pipe the Puffs:
- Transfer the dough to a pastry bag fitted with a large round tip or a zip-top bag with the tip cut off.
- Pipe 1 1/2-inch mounds of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. You can also use a spoon to drop the dough, but piping gives more uniform puffs.
- For a smooth top, dip your finger in water and gently tap down any peaks on the mounds of dough.
3. Bake the Puffs:
- Bake the puffs in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until they are golden brown and puffed up.
- Do not open the oven door during the first 15 minutes of baking, as it can cause the puffs to collapse.
- Once baked, turn off the oven and let the puffs sit inside for an additional 5 minutes to cool slightly. Then, remove them and let them cool completely on a wire rack.
4. Make the Custard Filling:
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In a medium saucepan, whisk together the milk, sugar, cornstarch, and salt over medium heat. Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens (about 5-7 minutes).
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In a separate bowl, whisk the egg yolks. Once the milk mixture has thickened, slowly pour about 1/2 cup of the hot mixture into the egg yolks while whisking constantly to temper the eggs (this prevents them from scrambling).
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Pour the tempered egg mixture back into the saucepan with the remaining milk mixture, and continue to cook while stirring for another 2-3 minutes until the custard is thick and smooth.
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Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract and butter until smooth and glossy.
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Pour the custard into a clean bowl, cover with plastic wrap (press the wrap directly onto the surface of the custard to prevent a skin from forming), and refrigerate until completely chilled, about 2 hours.
5. Assemble the Cream Puffs:
- Once the cream puffs have cooled and the custard has chilled, cut a small slit at the bottom or top of each puff to create a hole for filling.
- Spoon the chilled custard into a pastry bag (or a zip-top bag) and pipe the custard into the cream puffs until they are fully filled.
6. Serve:
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Arrange the filled cream puffs on a platter.
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Lightly dust the tops with powdered sugar for a simple, elegant finish. You can also top them with a dollop of whipped cream if you’d like an extra touch.
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Serve and enjoy the light, fluffy, and delicious cream puffs!
Tips:
- Keep them crispy: If you make the cream puffs ahead of time, store the empty puffs in an airtight container to keep them crisp. Fill them with the custard just before serving.
- Flavor variations: For a twist, you can add a splash of almond extract to the custard or flavor it with orange zest for a citrusy kick.
- Storage: These are best eaten the day they are filled, but they can be stored in the fridge for 1-2 days.
Classic Cream Puffs with Custard Filling are light, airy, and rich with a creamy, smooth filling. They make a perfect dessert for any occasion. Enjoy! Let me know if you try making them!