Prepare to be transported to dessert heaven with our Cloud Nine Cream Puffs recipe. These delightful pastries, also known as profiteroles, feature airy, golden puffs filled with luscious pastry cream and topped with a dusting of powdered sugar. Biting into one is an experience of pure indulgence – the crisp outer shell gives way to a creamy, dreamy interior, creating a harmonious balance of textures and flavors. Whether served at elegant gatherings, as a sweet treat after dinner, or simply to satisfy your dessert cravings, these Cloud Nine Cream Puffs are the epitome of pastry perfection.
Cloud Nine Cream Puffs: Pillowy Perfection in Every Bite
Cloud Nine Cream Puffs are the epitome of elegance and flavor. This recipe guides you through creating delicate choux pastry, a light and airy dough that bakes into golden, hollow puffs. These puffs are then filled with a velvety pastry cream, adding a rich and creamy center. Topped with a sprinkle of powdered sugar, these cream puffs offer a delightful contrast between the crisp exterior and the sumptuous filling. Get ready to delight your senses and impress your guests with these exquisite homemade pastries.
Equipment
- oven
- saucepan
- mixing bowl
- whisk
Ingredients
- unsalted butter
- water
- whole milk
- granulated sugar
- all purpose flour
- eggs
- corn starch
- vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium saucepan, combine the butter, water, and salt. Heat over medium heat until the mixture comes to a boil and the butter is melted.
- Remove the saucepan from heat and quickly stir in the flour until well combined. Return the pan to low heat and continue stirring for about 1-2 minutes to slightly cook the flour. Remove from heat.
- Let the mixture cool for a few minutes, then add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. The dough should be smooth and glossy.
- Transfer the choux pastry dough to a pastry bag fitted with a large round tip. Pipe small mounds onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each puff for expansion.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the puffs are golden brown and puffed up. Avoid opening the oven door during baking, as it might cause the puffs to collapse.
- Remove the puffs from the oven and cool completely on a wire rack. Use a sharp knife to cut a small slit in the side of each puff to release steam and help maintain their shape.
- In a saucepan, heat the whole milk until it is hot but not boiling. In a separate bowl, whisk together the sugar, egg yolks, cornstarch, and salt until well combined.
- Gradually pour the hot milk into the egg yolk mixture, whisking constantly to temper the eggs. Once combined, pour the mixture back into the saucepan.
- Cook the mixture over medium heat, whisking constantly, until it thickens and comes to a gentle boil. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
- Transfer the pastry cream to a bowl and cover it with plastic wrap, pressing the wrap directly onto the surface of the cream to prevent a skin from forming. Chill the pastry cream in the refrigerator until cold, about 1-2 hours.
- Once the pastry cream is chilled and the puffs are cooled, fill each puff with the pastry cream. You can use a pastry bag fitted with a small tip or cut a slit in the puff and spoon the cream inside.
- Dust the filled cream puffs with powdered sugar using a fine sieve or sifter.
- Serve the Cloud Nine Cream Puffs immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve. Enjoy these delightful pastries as a sweet treat or dessert.
Video
Notes
- The choux pastry can also be frozen before baking. Pipe the puffs onto a baking sheet and freeze them until solid. Once frozen, transfer them to an airtight container and store in the freezer. When ready to bake, preheat the oven and bake the frozen puffs directly from the freezer, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
- You can add a chocolate glaze on top of the cream puffs for an extra layer of flavor. Simply melt chocolate with a little butter and drizzle it over the filled puffs before serving.
Nutrition
Serving: 700g
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