The Best Homemade Cream Puffs Recipe
What You’ll Love About This Recipe
These homemade cream puffs are light, airy, and filled with rich, creamy goodness—perfect for impressing guests or treating yourself. With just a few simple steps, you’ll have a dessert that looks fancy but is surprisingly easy to make.
- Fluffy and Crispy: The golden shells bake up crisp on the outside, yet stay soft and hollow inside, ready to hold your favorite filling.
- Endless Filling Options: Fill them with sweet whipped cream, custard, or even savory options like chicken salad for a fun twist.
- Fun to Decorate: Get creative with drizzles of chocolate, a dusting of powdered sugar, or fresh fruit for a beautiful finish.
Recipe
Cream puffs, also known as profiteroles, are delicate French pastries filled with rich, creamy custard or whipped cream. Their light and airy texture makes them a delightful treat for any occasion.
Ingredients:
For the Choux Pastry:
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 large eggs
For the Filling:
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- For the choux pastry: In a medium saucepan, combine water, butter, and salt. Bring to a boil over medium heat.
- Add the flour all at once and stir vigorously until the mixture forms a ball and pulls away from the sides of the pan. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, confirming each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. The dough should become smooth and glossy.
- Transfer the dough to a piping bag fitted with a large round tip. Pipe 1½-inch mounds onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes or until golden brown and puffed. Do not open the oven during baking. Once done, transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely.
- For the filling: In a mixing bowl, whip the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form.
- Once the cream puffs are cooled, cut them in half horizontally and fill with the whipped cream. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.
Notes:
- Verify the choux pastry dough is smooth and glossy before piping.
- For a custard filling, prepare pastry cream and chill before use.
Equipment:
Medium saucepan, mixing bowl, electric mixer, piping bag, large round tip, baking sheet, parchment paper, wire rack.
Time:
Prep time: 20 minutes | Cooking time: 25 minutes
Cuisine:
French
Serving:
Makes approximately 20 cream puffs.
Nutrition
Nutritional values may vary based on specific ingredients used. The following is an approximate breakdown per serving.
| Nutrient | Amount per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 250 kcal |
| Total Fat | 15 g |
| Saturated Fat | 8 g |
| Cholesterol | 60 mg |
| Sodium | 100 mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 20 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugars | 10 g |
| Protein | 5 g |
What To Serve With It
I love serving my cream puffs with fresh fruit, like strawberries or raspberries, for a revitalizing touch. For something richer, I drizzle them with warm chocolate sauce, which makes them feel extra special. Both options add fun flavors that make these treats even more irresistible.
Fresh Fruit Pairings
Adding fresh fruit to cream puffs feels like releasing a burst of flavor that balances the rich, creamy filling perfectly. Strawberries, with their sweet-tart zing, cut through the richness, while juicy raspberries add a pop of color and tang. Sliced peaches bring a summery sweetness, and blueberries offer tiny bursts of freshness. For a tropical twist, try mango or kiwi—their bright flavors elevate every bite. Even simple banana slices add a comforting creaminess. The key is choosing ripe, seasonal fruit to keep things light and vibrant. It’s an easy way to make each cream puff feel like a little celebration.
Rich Chocolate Sauces
Ever wondered how to take your cream puffs from delightful to downright irresistible? I’ve got the answer: rich chocolate sauce! A silky, decadent drizzle transforms these fluffy pastries into a dessert masterpiece. I love making a simple sauce with melted chocolate, cream, and a pinch of salt—it’s glossy and dreamy. Pour it warm over chilled cream puffs for that perfect mix of temperatures. Sometimes, I add a splash of vanilla or espresso to deepen the flavor. Trust me, your guests will swoon. It’s like magic in every bite, and honestly, who can resist chocolate? This combo’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!
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