Aunt Pat’s Famous Cream Puffs are a family favorite, combining light and golden puff pastry shells with a rich, creamy custard and sweetened whipped cream. These puffs are decadent and visually stunning, perfect for any special occasion or as an irresistible treat. The method ensures the puffs have a beautiful “crown” and are topped with powdered sugar for that classic French pastry look.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the Sweetened Whipped Cream:

• 1 pint heavy cream

• Granulated sugar to taste (about ⅔ cup)

• Vanilla extract to taste (about 1 teaspoon)

For the Cream Puff Shells:

• 1 cup water

• ½ cup unsalted butter

• 1 cup all-purpose flour

• 4 large eggs (you’ll need 4 whole eggs for the pastry)

• 1 teaspoon kosher salt

• ½ teaspoon black pepper

• ½ teaspoon chili powder

• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

For the Cream Puff Filling:

• 4 egg yolks

• ¾ cup sugar

• ⅓ cup flour

• ½ teaspoon salt

• 2 cups warm milk

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

For Dipping the Shells:

• 1 ½ cups confectioners’ sugar (for dusting)

Directions

1. Prepare the Puff Shells:

   • Preheat your oven to 400°F (375°F for non-stick pans).

   • In a medium saucepan, bring 1 cup water and ½ cup butter to a low boil.

   • Add 1 cup flour to the pan, stirring until the dough forms a ball.

   • Remove from heat and add eggs one at a time, stirring until smooth after each addition.

   • Using a tablespoon, drop dough into lightly greased muffin tins (makes 12).

   • Bake for 25-35 minutes until puffed and golden brown.

   • Leave in the oven for an additional minute to ensure they’re crisp before removing.

   • Cool in the tin for 20 minutes, then remove to wire racks.

2. Prepare the Custard Filling:

   • Whisk egg yolks in a medium bowl.

   • Mix ¾ cup sugar, ⅓ cup flour, and ½ teaspoon salt in a saucepan, then add warm milk and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until it thickens.

   • Gradually whisk half of the mixture into the egg yolks, then return everything to the saucepan.

   • Cook for 30 more seconds, then remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.

   • Let the custard cool completely.

3. Prepare the Whipped Cream:

   • Whip 1 pint of heavy cream with sugar and vanilla until soft peaks form.

4. Assemble the Cream Puffs:

   • Cut off the top of each pastry shell and scoop out some of the insides.

   • Dip the bottom of the shell in powdered sugar, then fill with the custard cream.

   • Top with sweetened whipped cream and place the top back on.

   • Chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, or overnight, before serving.

Nutrients

Per serving (1 cream puff):

• Calories: 367

• Fat: 26g (40% Daily Value)

• Saturated Fat: 16g (100% Daily Value)

• Cholesterol: 189mg (63% Daily Value)

• Sodium: 209mg (9% Daily Value)

• Carbohydrates: 26g (9% Daily Value)

• Fiber: 0.4g (2% Daily Value)

• Sugar: 16g (18% Daily Value)

• Protein: 7g (14% Daily Value)

• Vitamin A: 1048 IU (21% Daily Value)

• Iron: 1mg (6% Daily Value)

• Calcium: 97mg (10% Daily Value)

Making the Perfect Puff Pastry Shells

The foundation of these cream puffs is the light and airy puff pastry shell, which forms the perfect base for the rich filling. To create the dough for the shells, water and butter are brought to a boil in a saucepan, then flour is stirred in until the dough forms a smooth ball. This is known as the pâte à choux dough, and it is the key to getting that golden, puffed pastry shell.

The addition of eggs to the dough ensures that the pastry puffs up in the oven, creating that hollow interior that is perfect for holding the creamy custard filling. After the dough has cooled slightly, eggs are added one by one, ensuring that the mixture remains smooth and consistent. Once the dough is ready, it is scooped into muffin tins and baked until golden and puffed, forming the signature “crown” shape.

It’s important to allow the shells to cool completely before filling them with the custard and whipped cream, which ensures that they remain crisp and don’t become soggy. The shells should be light, airy, and slightly crisp on the outside while being soft and hollow on the inside, making them the perfect vehicle for the decadent filling.

Rich and Velvety Custard Filling

The filling of these cream puffs is a luscious, homemade custard that adds a rich, creamy texture to each bite. The custard begins with whisking egg yolks, then combining sugar, flour, and salt in a saucepan before adding warm milk. This mixture is cooked over medium heat, constantly stirred until it thickens into a smooth and velvety custard.

Once the custard is thickened, a little bit of it is gradually whisked into the egg yolks to temper them and prevent curdling. Afterward, the entire mixture is returned to the saucepan for a brief final cook, followed by the addition of vanilla extract for that sweet, comforting flavor. Once it’s done, the custard is left to cool completely.

This custard adds a creamy and rich base to the cream puffs, making each bite feel indulgent while perfectly balancing the airy puff pastry.

Sweetened Whipped Cream: Light and Airy

The sweetened whipped cream is what gives these cream puffs their lightness and a sweet contrast to the rich custard filling. To make the whipped cream, heavy cream is whipped with sugar and vanilla extract until soft peaks form. This fluffy whipped cream provides the perfect texture and sweetness to complement the richness of the custard and the lightness of the puff pastry shells.

Once the cream puffs are assembled, a generous dollop of whipped cream is added on top of the custard filling, giving the cream puffs their signature look and added richness. The whipped cream also adds a soft, airy texture to each bite, making these cream puffs both decadent and refreshing.

Assembling the Cream Puffs

Assembling Aunt Pat’s Famous Cream Puffs is a fun and simple process. After the puff pastry shells have cooled, the tops of each shell are cut off, and some of the insides are scooped out to create room for the filling. The bottom of each shell is then dipped in powdered sugar, which not only adds a touch of sweetness but also gives the puffs their beautiful finish.

Each shell is filled with a rich custard filling, followed by a generous topping of the sweetened whipped cream. Finally, the top of the puff pastry is placed back on, and the cream puff is completed with a light dusting of powdered sugar for that classic French pastry look.

Once assembled, the cream puffs should be chilled in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight. This allows the filling to set and the flavors to meld together, resulting in a perfectly balanced, creamy, and light dessert.

Why Aunt Pat’s Cream Puffs Are Perfect for Special Occasions

Aunt Pat’s Famous Cream Puffs are a timeless dessert that is perfect for any special occasion. Whether you’re celebrating a holiday, hosting a dinner party, or simply treating yourself and your family to a homemade dessert, these cream puffs are sure to impress. They’re elegant in both appearance and taste, with a perfect combination of sweet, creamy filling and crisp pastry shell.

The beauty of these cream puffs is in their simplicity and versatility. They can be made ahead of time, chilled, and served when you’re ready, making them a great choice for entertaining. Their light and airy texture make them feel indulgent yet not overly heavy, and they’re sure to be a crowd-pleaser no matter the event.

Nutritional Information

While Aunt Pat’s Famous Cream Puffs are undeniably decadent, they are best enjoyed as an occasional treat. Each cream puff contains around 367 calories, with 26 grams of fat, including 16 grams of saturated fat, making them a rich and indulgent dessert. They also provide 7 grams of protein, which comes from the eggs and milk in the custard and whipped cream.

Given the richness of the pastry and cream, each puff contains 16 grams of sugar, which is typical for a sweet dessert like this. While not a low-calorie treat, these cream puffs are a special indulgence that offers a perfect balance of flavors and textures.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Aunt Pat’s Famous Cream Puffs are a luxurious and delightful dessert that combines crispy puff pastry, rich custard filling, and sweetened whipped cream. The technique used to make the puff pastry ensures a perfect “crown” and light texture, while the creamy custard and fluffy whipped cream create a beautifully indulgent bite. These cream puffs are perfect for special occasions, as a sweet treat for gatherings, or just as a special homemade dessert to enjoy with loved ones. Their combination of light and rich elements makes them a timeless favorite in any dessert repertoire.