Indulge in the delightfully airy and creamy goodness of homemade cream puffs with this straightforward recipe. Perfect for any occasion or just as a sweet treat for yourself!
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 large eggs
- 1 pinch of salt
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Optional: powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
- In a medium saucepan, bring the water and butter to a boil over medium heat. Add a pinch of salt.
- Once the mixture is boiling, reduce the heat to low and add the flour all at once. Stir vigorously with a wooden spoon until the mixture forms a smooth ball and pulls away from the sides of the pan, about 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Beat in the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition, until the dough is smooth and glossy.
- Transfer the dough into a piping bag fitted with a large round tip, or simply use a spoon to drop small mounds onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between each puff.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the puffs are puffed up and golden brown. Do not open the oven door during the first 20 minutes of baking to prevent the puffs from deflating.
- Once baked, remove the cream puffs from the oven and transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- While the puffs are cooling, whip the heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form.
- Once the cream puffs are completely cooled, slice off the top third of each puff and fill the bottom halves with the whipped cream. Replace the tops and dust with powdered sugar, if desired.
- Serve immediately and enjoy the light, airy goodness of these simple and easy cream puffs!
Note: Cream puffs are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
