FAMOUS CREAM PUFFS

When it comes to iconic desserts, Cream Puffs deserve their fame. These delicate pastries are made from pâte à choux dough, which bakes into golden shells with hollow centers perfect for filling. Traditionally, they’re stuffed with sweet whipped cream, custard, or pastry cream, then dusted with powdered sugar.

Whether served at weddings, holidays, or family gatherings, cream puffs are the kind of dessert that never fails to impress — elegant yet surprisingly easy to make at home.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Airy & delicate: Crisp shell with a fluffy inside.
• Deceptively simple: Basic pantry ingredients make a show-stopping dessert.
• Customizable: Fill with cream, custard, or even ice cream.
• Crowd-pleasing: Perfect for parties, holidays, or afternoon tea.

Ingredients

For the Choux Pastry

• 1 cup water
• ½ cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 4 large eggs

For the Cream Filling

• 2 cups heavy whipping cream
• ½ cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

(Or swap for pastry cream if you prefer a richer filling.)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Make the Choux Pastry

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment.
2. In a saucepan, combine water, butter, sugar, and salt. Bring to a boil.
3. Add flour all at once, stirring vigorously until dough pulls away from the sides.
4. Transfer dough to a mixing bowl. Let cool slightly.
5. Beat in eggs one at a time until dough is smooth, glossy, and pipeable.

Step 2: Bake the Puffs

1. Pipe or spoon small mounds of dough onto prepared sheet (about 2 inches apart).
2. Bake 20–25 minutes until golden and puffed.
3. Turn off oven, crack the door, and let puffs sit for 5 minutes to dry out.
4. Cool completely on a wire rack.

Step 3: Make the Cream Filling

1. Whip heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla until stiff peaks form.
2. Transfer to a piping bag fitted with a round tip.

Step 4: Fill the Puffs

1. Slice cream puffs in half or poke a small hole in the bottom.
2. Pipe whipped cream into each puff.
3. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.

Tips for Success

• Don’t underbake: Puffs need time to set and hollow out inside.
• Dry in the oven: Leaving them in the oven with the door cracked prevents sogginess.
• Cool before filling: Warm puffs will melt the cream.
• Make ahead: Bake shells in advance, then fill just before serving.

Variations

• Pastry Cream Puffs: Fill with rich vanilla pastry cream.
• Chocolate-Dipped: Dip tops in melted chocolate.
• Profiteroles: Fill with ice cream and drizzle with hot fudge.
• Savory Puffs: Fill with herbed cream cheese for an appetizer version.

Why These Cream Puffs Are Famous

It’s all about the texture contrast: crisp golden shell, airy inside, and luscious cream filling. They’re elegant enough for fine dining yet easy enough for home baking, which makes them timelessly popular.

✨ Light, creamy, and unforgettable — these Famous Cream Puffs are the ultimate pastry indulgence that everyone should try at least once.