These homemade cream puffs are filled with a sweet and smooth whipped cream filling inside a light, airy choux pastry shell. The choux pastry is baked in a special way that creates a hollow center, perfect for filling with cream. This simple yet delicious recipe is a crowd-pleaser and is particularly meaningful as it carries the tradition of a cherished family recipe passed down through the generations. With a golden, crisp exterior and a fluffy interior, these cream puffs are the perfect treat for any occasion.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the Choux Pastry:

• ½ cup shortening

• ½ teaspoon table salt

• 1 cup all-purpose flour, sifted

• 4 eggs

For the Cream Filling:

• 3 cups heavy whipping cream

• 1/3 cup granulated sugar

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1 tablespoon confectioners’ sugar (for garnish)

For Assembly:

• Confectioners’ sugar (for dusting)

Directions

1. Make the Choux Pastry:
   Preheat the oven to 450°F (230°C). In a saucepan, bring 1 cup of water to a boil, then whisk in the shortening and salt. Add the sifted flour and stir with a wooden spoon until a ball forms and the dough slightly dries out. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly before transferring it to the bowl of a stand mixer.

2. Add Eggs:
   Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition until the dough becomes thick and glossy. Using a spoon, drop 2-inch balls of dough onto a greased baking sheet.

3. Bake the Choux:
   Bake at 450°F for 10 minutes. Then, reduce the heat to 375°F (190°C) and continue baking for another 12-15 minutes. Lower the heat further to 300°F (150°C) for an additional 15 minutes to dry out the puffs and achieve a golden brown color. Remove from the oven and poke each puff with a toothpick to release steam. Let them cool completely.

4. Make the Cream Filling:
   In a chilled mixing bowl, add the heavy whipping cream, sugar, and vanilla extract. Beat on high speed for about 2 minutes until stiff peaks form.

5. Assemble the Cream Puffs:
   Carefully slice each cream puff in half horizontally. Using a pastry bag fitted with a star tip, pipe the whipped cream filling into the center of each puff. Dust with confectioners’ sugar for garnish.

6. Serve:
   Serve immediately for a fresh and delightful treat.

Nutrients (Approximate per cream puff)

• Calories: 238 kcal

• Carbohydrates: 12g

• Protein: 2g

• Fat: 21g

  • Saturated Fat: 11g

  • Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g

  • Monounsaturated Fat: 6g

  • Trans Fat: 1g

• Cholesterol: 45mg

• Sodium: 12mg

• Potassium: 56mg

• Fiber: 1g

• Sugar: 5g

• Vitamin A: 585IU

• Vitamin C: 0.3mg

• Calcium: 44mg

• Iron: 1mg

The Choux Pastry: A Crisp and Hollow Shell

The foundation of the cream puff is the choux pastry, which is both simple and incredibly rewarding to make. The dough begins with a simple combination of water, shortening, and salt. Once brought to a boil, sifted flour is added and stirred until the dough forms a ball and begins to dry out. This process creates the perfect base for the pastry, which will puff up during baking, forming the hollow center.

After removing the dough from heat, eggs are gradually added, one at a time, until the dough becomes thick and glossy. This step is crucial because the eggs give the pastry its structure and help it rise to form the signature puff. The dough is then dropped onto a baking sheet in small 2-inch balls and baked in a three-step process at varying temperatures to ensure the perfect texture: crisp on the outside, light and hollow on the inside.

Baking: The Key to a Golden, Crispy Texture

Baking the choux pastry requires attention to detail, as it involves a gradual reduction of heat to achieve the perfect texture. The initial high heat at 450°F (230°C) allows the dough to puff up quickly, creating the hollow center. After 10 minutes, the temperature is reduced to 375°F (190°C) for another 12-15 minutes, ensuring the pastry browns evenly without burning.

For the final stage, the oven temperature is lowered to 300°F (150°C) for 15 more minutes to fully dry out the puffs and achieve a golden-brown color. This gradual cooling process prevents the puffs from collapsing and ensures that they maintain their crispness. Once baked, a toothpick is used to poke each puff to release the steam inside, allowing the puffs to cool completely and be ready for filling.

The Whipped Cream Filling: Sweet and Light

While the choux pastry is cooling, it’s time to prepare the whipped cream filling. The filling is made with just three ingredients: heavy whipping cream, sugar, and vanilla extract. When combined and beaten on high speed, the cream transforms into a light, fluffy texture with stiff peaks that hold their shape. The vanilla extract adds a subtle, aromatic sweetness, complementing the richness of the cream.

This whipped cream is the perfect contrast to the crisp, airy shell of the choux pastry. It’s not too heavy or overly sweet, allowing the lightness of the puff and the flavor of the vanilla cream to shine through. The result is a creamy, delicate filling that complements the crunchy exterior and adds a luxurious element to the overall experience.

Assembling the Cream Puffs

Assembling the cream puffs is simple but requires a gentle touch. After slicing the cooled puffs in half horizontally, the whipped cream is piped into the hollow center using a pastry bag fitted with a star tip. The lightness and fluffiness of the whipped cream make it easy to pipe into the puffs, filling them generously without overwhelming the delicate pastry shell.

Once the puffs are filled, they are dusted with a light sprinkling of confectioners’ sugar for an extra touch of sweetness and an elegant finish. The light dusting not only enhances the flavor but also gives the cream puffs a beautiful, polished look, making them perfect for serving at parties or special occasions.

Serving: A Fresh and Delightful Treat

Cream puffs are best served fresh, immediately after they are filled and dusted with powdered sugar. The crispy exterior and creamy filling provide a satisfying contrast that makes each bite irresistible. These little indulgences are ideal for dessert, as a tea-time treat, or even as a fun snack during a gathering. Their elegant appearance and delightful texture make them a standout addition to any table.

Nutritional Information

While cream puffs are undeniably indulgent, they offer a relatively balanced amount of nutrients for a treat. Each cream puff contains approximately 238 calories, with 21 grams of fat, including 11 grams of saturated fat, which contributes to the richness of the whipped cream filling and the buttery choux pastry. The puffs provide 12 grams of carbohydrates and 5 grams of sugar per serving, making them a satisfying but not overly sweet treat.

For those concerned about their protein intake, each cream puff offers 2 grams of protein, coming from the eggs in the pastry and the heavy whipping cream filling. Additionally, the puffs provide some important nutrients such as vitamin A (585 IU), which contributes to healthy vision and skin, and calcium (44 mg), which supports strong bones and teeth.

Conclusion: A Classic and Timeless Dessert

These homemade cream puffs offer a timeless dessert that is both light and indulgent. The delicate choux pastry, crisp and golden on the outside, provides the perfect vessel for the sweet and airy whipped cream filling. Whether served for a special occasion or as a treat for yourself, cream puffs are guaranteed to impress with their delightful texture, rich flavor, and elegant presentation.

This family recipe carries the tradition of making something simple yet extraordinary, and it’s a perfect way to share a special moment with loved ones. With a golden, crispy exterior and a fluffy, smooth filling, homemade cream puffs are sure to be a cherished favorite in any household.