Let me tell you, this easy cream puff cake has become an absolute staple in my kitchen! I can’t get enough of it. It’s so simple to whip up, yet it always impresses everyone who gets a taste. Seriously, the first time I made it, I was blown away by how light and fluffy those cream puffs turned out. The combination of the delicate pastry with that creamy filling is pure magic! Whether it’s a birthday party, a family gathering, or just a cozy night in, this dessert fits right in. Plus, it’s a breeze to make, which means more time for me to enjoy the deliciousness without stressing in the kitchen. Trust me, you’ll want to try this one out!
Ingredients List
Gathering the right ingredients is key to making this easy cream puff cake, and I promise you won’t need anything too fancy! Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 cup water: This is the base for your dough, helping to create that delightful puff.
- 1/2 cup butter: Unsalted is best; it adds richness and flavor to the pastry.
- 1 cup all-purpose flour: This is what gives your puffs structure—don’t skimp on quality!
- 4 large eggs: They’ll help the dough rise beautifully and add that lovely golden color.
- 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened: This is the star of your cream filling—smooth and creamy!
- 1 cup powdered sugar: For sweetness and a light texture in the filling—trust me, it makes a difference.
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream: This is for whipping up into fluffy goodness, giving your filling that dreamy texture.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: A splash of this adds a lovely depth of flavor to the cream filling.
Once you’ve got all these goodies ready, you’re all set to start creating your masterpiece!
How to Prepare the Easy Cream Puff Cake
Preheat the Oven
First things first, let’s preheat that oven to 400°F (200°C). Preheating is super important because it ensures that your cream puffs rise beautifully and get that lovely golden color. You want them to puff up perfectly, so don’t skip this step!
Prepare the Dough
Now, let’s get into the fun part! In a saucepan, combine 1 cup of water and 1/2 cup of butter. Bring it to a boil over medium heat. Once it’s bubbling, add in 1 cup of all-purpose flour all at once, and stir it vigorously with a wooden spoon. You’ll want to keep stirring until the mixture forms a ball and pulls away from the sides of the pan. Don’t worry if it looks a bit messy at first; just keep going! Remove it from the heat and let it cool for a few minutes before we move on to the eggs.
Shape and Bake the Puffs
Once your dough has cooled slightly, it’s time to add the eggs! Crack in 4 large eggs, one at a time, and beat well after each addition until the mixture is smooth and glossy. Spoon the dough onto a greased baking sheet, creating mounds about the size of a golf ball. Make sure to leave some space between each puff so they can expand. Now, pop them in the oven and bake for about 30 minutes, or until they’re golden brown and puffed up. The smell that fills your kitchen will be absolutely heavenly!
Make the Cream Filling
While those puffs are baking, let’s whip up that dreamy cream filling! In a mixing bowl, beat together 8 ounces of softened cream cheese, 1 cup of powdered sugar, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract until it’s smooth and creamy. In another bowl, whip 1 cup of heavy whipping cream until stiff peaks form—this is where the magic happens! Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture. You want it to be light and airy, so be gentle and fold until just combined. It’s going to be so delicious!
Assemble the Cake
Once your cream puffs have cooled completely, carefully cut them in half. You want to fill the bottom half with that luscious cream mixture we just made, so don’t be shy with it! Place the top back on and there you have it—your easy cream puff cake is ready to be devoured! Just make sure those puffs are completely cool before you fill them, or the cream can get a bit melty!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy to prepare, making it perfect for beginners!
- Impressive enough for parties, yet simple enough for a weeknight treat.
- Deliciously light and fluffy, with a creamy filling that everyone will adore.
- Versatile dessert that can be customized with toppings like chocolate or fruit.
Tips for Success
Now, if you want to make sure your easy cream puff cake turns out perfect every time, here are some of my favorite tips! First, avoid opening the oven door while your puffs are baking; this can cause them to collapse. Just let them do their thing! Also, make sure your dough is cool enough before adding the eggs; if it’s too hot, they might cook instead of blend in. When whipping the cream, keep an eye on it—it should be stiff, but don’t overwhip, or it can become grainy. Lastly, be generous with the cream filling; it’s the best part!
Nutritional Information
When it comes to indulging in this easy cream puff cake, it’s nice to know what you’re getting! Each serving, which is about one piece, contains approximately 250 calories, 15g of fat, 4g of protein, and 25g of carbohydrates. Keep in mind, these values are estimates based on typical ingredients, but they give you a good idea of what to expect. Enjoy every bite guilt-free!
FAQ Section
I often get questions about this easy cream puff cake, so let’s tackle a few! First off, how do I store leftovers? Simply place them in an airtight container in the fridge, and they’ll keep well for up to 3 days. Now, if you’re wondering about ingredient substitutions, you can use margarine instead of butter if you need a dairy-free option. And for the cream filling, Greek yogurt can work as a healthier alternative to cream cheese! Finally, how should I serve them? They’re delightful on their own, but adding a drizzle of chocolate or a sprinkle of fresh fruit elevates them even more!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
To keep your easy cream puff cake fresh, store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If you want to enjoy them warm, just pop them in the microwave for a few seconds. But honestly, they’re just as delightful cold, too!
For more delicious dessert recipes, check out this cream cheese dip recipe or this creamy chicken pasta recipe!
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Easy Cream Puff Cake: 7 Steps to Fluffy Delight
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A simple and delicious cream puff cake that is easy to make.
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 large eggs
- 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a saucepan, combine water and butter; bring to a boil.
- Add flour and stir until the mixture forms a ball.
- Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Spoon the mixture onto a greased baking sheet.
- Bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown.
- In a bowl, beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
- In another bowl, whip the cream until stiff peaks form.
- Fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture.
- Once the puffs are cool, cut them in half and fill with the cream mixture.
Notes
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator.
- You can add chocolate drizzle for extra flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: easy cream puff cake, dessert, baking
