Easy Cream Puffs
This easy cream puffs recipe is a versatile treat that can be made for a variety of occasions. Simply fill with your favorite custard or yogurt and serve as an elegant dessert, or whip up a batch of mini chicken salad sliders for lunch. Keep on scrolling to learn more about this old-fashioned treat!
what is a cream puff made of?
Cream puffs are made primarily from choux pastry dough, which consists of butter, water, flour, and eggs. The dough is cooked on the stovetop until it forms a smooth, thick paste. After that, eggs are gradually mixed in to create a light and airy texture. Once the choux pastry is prepared, it's piped into small mounds onto a baking sheet and baked until golden brown and puffed up.
Are eclairs and cream puffs the same?
Éclairs and cream puffs are similar in that they both consist of light pastry shells made from choux dough (or pâte à choux) and are typically filled with cream. However, éclairs are elongated pastries filled with cream and topped with icing - usually chocolate - and cream puffs are small, round pastries filled with cream. So while they share a common pastry base, their shapes, presentations, and sometimes fillings differentiate them!
Cream Puff Ingredients
Water - Water is the liquid component of the choux pastry dough. When heated with butter, it creates steam, which helps the dough puff up and creates the characteristic airy texture of cream puffs.
Flour - Flour is the main dry ingredient in choux pastry dough. It provides structure to the dough and helps it hold its shape while baking. The flour also absorbs moisture from the water and butter mixture, creating a thick paste when cooked.
Eggs - Eggs play a crucial role in cream puffs by providing moisture, structure, and leavening. When beaten into the choux pastry dough, eggs trap air bubbles, which expand when baked, causing the dough to puff up. Eggs also contribute to the richness and flavor of the pastry.
Butter - Butter adds richness, flavor, and moisture to cream puffs. It is melted with water to form the base of the choux pastry dough. The fat in the butter helps create a tender and flaky texture in the baked pastry.
Salt - Salt enhances the flavor of cream puffs by balancing the sweetness of the filling and pastry. It also helps strengthen the gluten structure of the dough, providing support as the cream puffs rise and bake. Additionally, salt acts as a flavor enhancer, bringing out the natural taste of the other ingredients.
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How to Make cream puffs
Pre-heat the oven to 400-degrees
Bring butter, water, and salt to a boil
Turn down heat and quickly stir in flour until a ball forms
Remove from head and beat in eggs, one at a time
Drop by the spoonful onto cookie sheets
Bake at 400-degrees for 10-minutes, then turn the heat down to 350-degrees for another 20-minutes
filling the cream puffs
Let the cream puffs cool before filling
Once cooled, you can pierce the side of each cream puff with a knife so it’s easier to insert a pastry bag tip to fill with custard, etc. If you don’t have a pastry bag, simply slice each cream puff in half and sandwich each half over the filling (see below).
Pictured: Easy Lemon Greek Yogurt Cream Puff Filling
Cream Puff Filling Ideas
There are countless delicious fillings that pair wonderfully with cream puffs! Here are some popular options:
Vanilla Custard: A classic choice, smooth and creamy vanilla custard adds a rich flavor to cream puffs.
Chocolate Pudding: Silky chocolate pudding adds a richness to this luxurious treat.
Whipped Cream: Light and airy whipped cream is a versatile filling that can be flavored with vanilla, chocolate, fruit extracts, or liqueurs.
Fruit Compote: Add a fruity twist by filling cream puffs with homemade fruit compote or preserves, such as raspberry, strawberry, or lemon curd.
Coffee or Espresso Cream: For coffee lovers, a creamy filling infused with coffee or espresso adds a delightful flavor and aroma.
Pictured: Lemon Yogurt Cream Puffs
Greek Yogurt: For a healthy-ish cream puff filling that’s packed with protein and probiotics, Greek yogurt is a great choice.
Lemon Curd: Tangy and refreshing lemon curd makes for a bright and zesty filling that pairs wonderfully with the light pastry of cream puffs.
Liqueur-Infused Creams: Experiment with filling cream puffs with creams infused with liqueurs like Grand Marnier, Bailey's Irish Cream, or Amaretto for an extra kick of flavor.
Matcha or Pistachio Cream: For a unique twist, fill cream puffs with matcha or pistachio-flavored creams for a vibrant green color and delicate flavor.
Chicken Salad: Want a savory cream puff filling? I love whipping up a homemade chicken salad with these babies!
Pictured: Chicken Salad Cream Puffs
can cream puffs be made ahead of time?
Cream puffs can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 days or frozen for longer storage.
Can cream puffs be frozen?
Cream puffs can be frozen after cooling completely, preferably without filling, by placing them in a single layer on a baking sheet, freezing until firm, transferring to an airtight container or freezer bag, and storing for up to 2-3 months.
And there ya have it! Simple cream puffs for lunch, snacking, or dessert. Want to give this a try? Then, be sure to bookmark this recipe so you don’t forget! Enjoy!
Easy Cream Puffs
Ingredients
- 1 c. water
- 1/2 c. butter
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1 c. flour
- 4 eggs
- 1 1/2 c. vanilla Greek yogurt
- 2 tbs. honey
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 1 tbs. lemon juice
- 1 tsp. lemon zest
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven to 400-degrees
- Bring butter, water, and salt to a boil
- Next, turn down the heat and quickly stir in flour until a ball forms
- Then, remove pot from the heat and beat in eggs until it becomes a pasty consistency
- Drop by the spoonful onto cookie sheets
- Bake at 400-degrees for 10-minutes, then turn the heat down to 350-degrees for another 20-minutes
- Let the cream puffs cool before slicing
- Once cooled, cut tops off and clean out any excess dough before filling (if any)
- Finally, fill cream puffs with custard, chocolate mouse, or chicken salad
- Combine all ingredients into a small mixing bowl
- Fill pastry bag with yogurt filling and set aside
- Use a small knife to pierce holes on the bottom of each cream puff
- Fill yogurt in each cream puff
- Dust with powdered sugar and enjoy!
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