Golden Vanilla Cream Puffs
Indulge in light, airy pastries filled with rich vanilla custard for a heavenly dessert experience.
Ingredients
For the Pastry
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 4 large eggs
For the Filling and Topping
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup vanilla custard (for filling)
Instructions
Prepare the Pastry Dough
- In a medium saucepan, bring the water and butter to a boil over medium heat.
- Stir in the flour and salt until the mixture forms a ball that pulls away from the sides of the pan.
- Remove from heat and let it cool for about 5 minutes.
Incorporate the Eggs
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition until the dough is smooth and glossy.
Shape the Puffs
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Using a piping bag or a spoon, drop mounds of dough onto a lined baking sheet about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the puffs are golden brown and have doubled in size. Do not open the oven door during baking!
Cool and Fill
- Once baked, remove from the oven and let cool on a wire rack.
- Once cooled, use a piping bag to fill each puff with vanilla custard.
Whip the Cream
- In a bowl, whisk the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract together until soft peaks form.
Assemble and Serve
- Top each cream puff with a dollop of whipped cream and a dusting of confectioners’ sugar.
- Arrange gracefully on a beautiful platter and prepare for compliments!
Notes
Use fresh ingredients, temper the eggs, and don’t skip the cooling. Make ahead by storing unfilled puffs in an airtight container.