Light, airy, and filled with luscious vanilla custard, these homemade cream puffs are pure indulgence! Perfect for special occasions or whenever you crave a classic French pastry, they have a crisp, golden shell that holds the silky, rich custard filling inside.
With simple ingredients and step-by-step instructions, you’ll have bakery-style cream puffs right from your kitchen. Let’s bake! 🍮💛
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✔ Light & Airy – Perfectly crisp choux pastry.
✔ Rich & Creamy Filling – Classic vanilla custard inside.
✔ Easy to Make – Simple ingredients, big flavor!
✔ Great for Any Occasion – Perfect for desserts, parties, or a fancy treat.
Ingredients
For the Choux Pastry (Cream Puff Shells) 🥐
- 1 cup water
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 large eggs
- ¼ tsp salt
For the Vanilla Custard Filling 🍮
- 2 cups whole milk
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 3 large egg yolks
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1½ tsp vanilla extract
Instructions 👩🍳
Step 1: Make the Choux Pastry
1️⃣ Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2️⃣ In a saucepan, heat water, butter, and salt over medium heat. Bring to a gentle boil.
3️⃣ Once boiling, remove from heat and add flour all at once. Stir vigorously with a wooden spoon until a smooth dough forms.
4️⃣ Return to heat and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly until the dough pulls away from the sides of the pan.
5️⃣ Remove from heat and let it cool for 5 minutes. Then, add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition until the dough is smooth and glossy.
6️⃣ Transfer dough to a piping bag and pipe small mounds onto the baking sheet.
7️⃣ Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown. DO NOT open the oven while baking to prevent deflation.
8️⃣ Let cool completely before filling.
Step 2: Make the Vanilla Custard
1️⃣ In a saucepan, heat milk over medium heat until warm but not boiling.
2️⃣ In a separate bowl, whisk egg yolks, sugar, and cornstarch until smooth.
3️⃣ Slowly pour the warm milk into the egg mixture while whisking constantly.
4️⃣ Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened.
5️⃣ Remove from heat, stir in butter and vanilla extract, and let cool completely.
Step 3: Assemble the Cream Puffs
1️⃣ Slice each cooled puff in half.
2️⃣ Pipe or spoon vanilla custard into the bottom half, then place the top half back on.
3️⃣ Optional: Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with melted chocolate.
Tips for Perfect Cream Puffs
🔹 Don’t open the oven while baking – This helps the puffs rise properly.
🔹 Cool completely before filling – Warm pastries can make the custard runny.
🔹 For extra crispiness, reheat filled puffs in the oven for 5 minutes before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
❓ Can I Make These Ahead of Time?
Yes! Store unfilled cream puffs in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Fill them right before serving for freshness.
❓ Can I Use Whipped Cream Instead?
Absolutely! You can fill them with whipped cream, pastry cream, or even ice cream for a twist.
❓ How Do I Store Leftovers?
Filled cream puffs should be kept in the fridge and eaten within 24 hours.
Final Thoughts 💭
Homemade Cream Puffs with Vanilla Custard are an irresistible dessert that looks fancy but is surprisingly easy to make! With a light choux pastry shell and a smooth, creamy vanilla filling, they’re perfect for impressing family and friends.
🔥 Try this recipe today and enjoy the perfect bite-sized indulgence! 🥐🍮✨
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