Discover the legendary taste of Mom’s Famous Cream Puffs—light, airy, and absolutely irresistible. Learn how to create these delectable pastry puffs filled with luscious cream, perfect for indulging in a timeless dessert tradition.
Ingredients:
For the Pastry Puffs:
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 large eggs
For the Cream Filling:
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
For the Chocolate Ganache (Optional):
- 4 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Pastry Puffs:
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
- In a medium saucepan, combine the unsalted butter and water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
2. Add Flour:
- Remove the saucepan from heat and quickly stir in the all-purpose flour until a smooth dough forms.
3. Beat Eggs:
- Transfer the dough to a mixing bowl and let it cool slightly.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time until fully incorporated. The dough should be smooth and glossy.
4. Pipe and Bake:
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Spoon the dough into a pastry bag fitted with a large round tip or a resealable plastic bag with a corner snipped off.
- Pipe mounds of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, then reduce the oven temperature to 375°F (190°C) and continue baking for another 15-20 minutes or until the pastry puffs are golden brown and crisp.
5. Prepare the Cream Filling:
- While the pastry puffs are baking, prepare the cream filling. In a mixing bowl, whip the heavy cream, confectioners’ sugar, and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form.
6. Fill the Puffs:
- Once the pastry puffs are cooled, cut the tops off and fill each puff with a generous dollop of the whipped cream.
7. Optional Chocolate Ganache:
- If desired, prepare a chocolate ganache by melting the semisweet chocolate and heavy cream together in a microwave or over a double boiler.
- Stir in the confectioners’ sugar and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Drizzle the chocolate ganache over the filled cream puffs.
8. Serve and Enjoy:
- Place the cream puff tops back on and dust with confectioners’ sugar if desired.
- Serve Mom’s Famous Cream Puffs and savor the light-as-air, creamy indulgence.
Mom’s Famous Cream Puffs are legendary for their light, airy, and irresistible flavor. These delectable pastry puffs filled with luscious cream pay homage to a time-honored dessert tradition. These puffs, made with a simple yet magical choux pastry, bake to golden perfection, with a crisp exterior that gives way to a delicate, airy interior. The cream filling, whipped to perfection with vanilla and confectioners’ sugar, adds a luscious and creamy contrast to the crispiness of the pastry. A drizzle of velvety chocolate ganache is the finishing touch for those looking for an extra layer of decadence. Mom’s Famous Cream Puffs are sure to delight your taste buds, whether enjoyed on special occasions or as a sweet indulgence on any day. Make these as light as air delights, savor their legendary flavor, and continue the tradition of exquisite homemade desserts that Mom’s famous for.