Classic Cream Puffs

Delight in the timeless elegance of **Classic Cream Puffs**, a French pastry masterpiece that’s surprisingly simple to make at home. These airy, golden choux pastry shells are baked to perfection, then filled with a luscious vanilla-infused pastry cream, creating a heavenly balance of texture and flavor. With just a handful of pantry staples like butter, eggs, and flour, and a bit of technique, you’ll achieve bakery-quality results. Perfect for special occasions or indulgent treats, these cream puffs are finished with a light dusting of confectioners’ sugar for an irresistible touch of sweetness. Whether served as a dessert centerpiece or a buffet favorite, this recipe is your ticket to creating a show-stopping delicacy that will impress both family and guests alike.

Nutriscore Rating: 58/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:50 mins

Total Time:80 mins

Servings: 12

Ingredients

• 240 ml water
• 115 g unsalted butter
• 1 pinch salt
• 125 g all-purpose flour
• 4 pieces large eggs
• 500 ml whole milk
• 100 g granulated sugar
• 30 g cornstarch
• 4 pieces egg yolks
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 30 g unsalted butter
• 2 tbsp confectioners' sugar

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 220°C (425°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 2

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine 240 ml water, 115 g unsalted butter, and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil.

Step 3

Add 125 g all-purpose flour all at once to the boiling mixture and stir vigorously with a wooden spoon until the dough forms a ball and pulls away from the sides of the pan.

Step 4

Transfer the dough into a mixing bowl and allow to cool for about 5 minutes.

Step 5

Beat in the 4 large eggs one at a time, ensuring each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next, until you have a smooth and glossy dough.

Step 6

Spoon or pipe the dough onto the prepared baking sheet in 12 equal portions, leaving space between each piece.

Step 7

Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, then reduce the oven temperature to 190°C (375°F) and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes until golden brown and puffed.

Step 8

Remove from the oven and pierce each puff with a small knife to release steam. Allow to cool completely on a wire rack.

Step 9

To prepare the pastry cream, heat 500 ml whole milk in a saucepan over medium heat until simmering.

Step 10

In a bowl, whisk together 100 g granulated sugar, 30 g cornstarch, and 4 egg yolks until smooth and thick.

Step 11

Slowly pour the hot milk into the egg mixture, whisking constantly to prevent the eggs from cooking.

Step 12

Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until the pastry cream thickens and comes to a boil.

Step 13

Remove from heat, whisk in 1 tsp vanilla extract and 30 g unsalted butter until smooth. Transfer to a bowl, cover with plastic wrap touching the surface of the cream to prevent a skin from forming, and refrigerate until cold.

Step 14

Once the pastry puffs are cooled and the pastry cream is chilled, slice the puffs in half horizontally.

Step 15

Fill each puff with a generous spoonful of pastry cream and replace the tops.

Step 16

Dust with 2 tbsp confectioners' sugar before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1446.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2891.6

Total Fat 180.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 94.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.6g
Cholesterol 1865.0mg	0%
Sodium 680.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 268.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 3.7g	0%
Total Sugars 141.0g
Protein 65.7g	0%

Vitamin D 460.1IU	0%
Calcium 901.9mg	0%
Iron 11.8mg	0%
Potassium 1298.8mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 54.8%

Protein: 8.9%

Carbs: 36.3%