Oh my goodness, let me tell you about my mom’s famous cream puffs! These delightful little pastries are the perfect combination of light, airy shells and rich, sweet cream that just melts in your mouth. I can still remember family gatherings where these cream puffs would disappear faster than you could say “dessert!” Everyone would gather around, eagerly waiting for their turn to indulge in these heavenly treats. Trust me, once you try them, you’ll understand why they’ve become a cherished favorite in our family. You won’t want to miss out on making these for your loved ones!
Ingredients List
- 1 cup water – This is the base for your dough, helping to create that perfect puff.
- 1/2 cup butter – Unsalted is best! It adds richness and flavor to the pastry.
- 1 cup all-purpose flour – Essential for structure; it helps the puffs rise beautifully.
- 1/4 teaspoon salt – Just a pinch to enhance the flavors and balance the sweetness.
- 4 large eggs – These are the magic ingredients that give the puffs their light, airy texture.
- 1 cup heavy cream – This is for whipping into the most luscious filling imaginable.
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar – Sweetens the whipped cream, making it the perfect creamy filling.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – Adds a lovely hint of warmth and sweetness to the cream.
How to Prepare moms famous cream puffs
Making my mom’s famous cream puffs is easier than you might think! Just follow these straightforward steps, and you’ll have a batch of delightful puffs ready to impress. The key is to keep an eye on your timing, especially when it comes to preheating the oven and letting the puffs cool completely before filling them. Trust me, the wait is worth it!
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). This is crucial for getting those puffs to rise perfectly!
- In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup of water and 1/2 cup of butter over medium heat. Bring it to a gentle boil, and oh, the smell of melting butter is just divine!
- Once it’s boiling, add 1 cup of all-purpose flour and 1/4 teaspoon of salt all at once. Stir vigorously until a ball forms and pulls away from the sides of the pan. This should take about 1-2 minutes.
- Remove the pan from heat and let it cool for a minute. Then, add the 4 large eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition until the dough is smooth and glossy.
- Scoop the dough onto ungreased baking sheets, making small mounds about 2 inches apart. I like to use a spoon or a piping bag for this part!
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until they’re golden brown and puffed up. Resist the urge to open the oven door while they bake; you want them to hold their shape!
- Once baked, remove them from the oven and let them cool completely on a wire rack. This step is super important—filling warm puffs can lead to a gooey mess!
- While they cool, whip up your filling by combining 1 cup of heavy cream, 1/4 cup of powdered sugar, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Whip until stiff peaks form, and you’ll have the dreamiest filling!
- Finally, fill those cooled puffs with the whipped cream using a piping bag or a spoon. Enjoy the bliss!
Nutritional Information
Each of my mom’s famous cream puffs is a delightful treat with an estimated nutritional breakdown of about 150 calories per serving. They contain approximately 10g of fat, 2g of protein, and 15g of carbohydrates. Please note that these values can vary based on the specific ingredients you use, so feel free to adjust as needed. Enjoy these indulgent pastries without a worry!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Making my mom’s famous cream puffs is a delightful experience you’ll fall in love with! Here are just a few reasons why this recipe is a must-try:
- They’re incredibly easy to prepare, even for beginner bakers!
- The light, airy texture paired with rich whipped cream creates a heavenly flavor combination.
- Perfect for any occasion—whether it’s a family gathering, a holiday, or just a sweet treat at home.
- Versatile enough to experiment with different fillings or flavoring extracts.
- These cream puffs are sure to impress everyone, making you the star of the dessert table!
Tips for Success
To make sure your mom’s famous cream puffs turn out perfectly, here are some handy tips. First, don’t skip the cooling step—filling warm puffs leads to soggy disasters! Also, ensure your oven is fully preheated before baking to achieve that perfect puff. If you want them to be extra crispy, crack the oven door open slightly during the last few minutes of baking. And remember, if your dough seems too thick while mixing in the eggs, just keep going; it’ll come together beautifully! Trust me, these little tweaks can make all the difference!
Variations
Now, let’s get creative with my mom’s famous cream puffs! You can switch things up by experimenting with different extracts—how about almond extract for a nutty twist or even a splash of orange extract for a citrusy zing? For the filling, try adding a little cocoa powder to the whipped cream for a chocolatey delight or fold in some fresh fruit like strawberries or raspberries for a fruity burst. You can even pipe in pastry cream or custard instead of whipped cream for a richer flavor. The possibilities are endless, so go ahead and let your imagination run wild!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
To keep your mom’s famous cream puffs fresh, store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They’ll stay delicious for about 2-3 days. If you need to reheat them, do so gently in the oven at a low temperature (around 300°F or 150°C) for a few minutes to warm them without losing their delightful texture. Enjoy them fresh for the best experience!
FAQ Section
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
It’s best to make the dough fresh for the best texture, but you can prepare it a few hours in advance and store it in the fridge until you’re ready to bake.
Why did my cream puffs not rise?
Oh no! This can happen if your oven isn’t preheated properly or if you opened the oven door too soon. Make sure the oven is hot before adding the puffs, and resist that temptation to peek!
Can I freeze cream puffs?
Yes! You can freeze the baked puffs without filling them. Just let them cool completely, then store in an airtight container. Fill them after thawing for the best taste and texture.
How can I tell when they’re done baking?
They’re done when they’re golden brown and puffed up. If you gently tap on one, it should sound hollow. This is a good sign that they’re ready to come out!
What’s the best way to fill the cream puffs?
I recommend using a piping bag for a neat fill! You can also slice them in half and spoon in the whipped cream if you don’t have one on hand.
For more delicious dessert ideas, check out Creamy Garlic Parmesan Pasta or Creamy Chicken Pasta.
Print
moms famous cream puffs: 7 Steps to Pure Bliss
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 12 cream puffs 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delicious and light cream puffs filled with sweet cream.
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a saucepan, combine water and butter. Bring to a boil.
- Add flour and salt, stirring until a ball forms. Remove from heat.
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- Scoop dough onto baking sheets.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.
- Let cool completely.
- Whip cream with powdered sugar and vanilla until stiff peaks form.
- Fill cooled puffs with whipped cream.
Notes
- Make sure puffs are completely cool before filling.
- Store filled puffs in the refrigerator.
- Can substitute vanilla with almond extract for a different flavor.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cream puff
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: cream puffs, dessert, pastries, whipped cream
