These delicious cream puffs are a perfect treat for any occasion! Filled with a rich, creamy filling and a light, airy pastry, they’re a real crowd-pleaser. Here’s the full recipe for the classic cream puff with Mom’s famous filling.
Ingredients
For the Cream Puff Shells:
- 1 stick (1/2 cup) butter
- 1 cup water
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 large eggs
For Mom’s Famous Filling:
- 1 pint (2 cups) heavy cream
- 1 package (3.4 ounces) instant vanilla pudding mix
- ⅓ cup milk
Instructions
1. Make the Cream Puff Shells:
- In a medium saucepan, combine the butter and water. Heat over medium-high heat until the butter melts and the water comes to a boil.
- Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the flour to the water mixture while stirring constantly. Continue stirring until the mixture pulls away from the sides of the pan and forms a ball.
- Allow the dough to cool slightly for a few minutes.
2. Add the Eggs:
- Once the dough has cooled a bit, beat in the eggs, one at a time, until smooth and fully incorporated. The dough will be thick but should be smooth after all the eggs are added.
3. Shape the Puffs:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Using a tablespoon, drop rounded dollops of dough onto the baking sheet, leaving space between each puff (you should aim for about 8 large puffs).
4. Bake the Cream Puffs:
- Bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes, or until the puffs are golden brown and puffed up.
- Pro Tip: After baking, poke a toothpick into the side of each puff and return them to the oven with the oven off. Leave the oven door slightly cracked while they cool to prevent them from deflating.
5. Cool the Puffs:
- Let the puffs cool completely on a wire rack.
Make Mom’s Famous Filling:
- Prepare the Filling:
- In a mixer, beat together the heavy cream, instant vanilla pudding mix, and milk until the mixture thickens and forms a creamy filling.
- Fill the Puffs:
- Slice the cooled cream puffs in half horizontally.
- Pipe or scoop the filling into the bottom half of each puff.
- Place the top half of the cream puff on top.
6. Finish and Serve:
- Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with melted chocolate, if desired.
- Serve and enjoy your delicious cream puffs!
These cream puffs are a perfect balance of crisp, airy pastry and rich, creamy filling, making them an irresistible treat for any gathering. Enjoy!