Dreamy Heavenly Cream Puffs Recipe: Fluffy Clouds of Sweetness

Delicate pastry shells bursting with creamy chocolate pudding filling can elevate any cream puffs recipe to pure dessert magic.

These light, airy delights melt in your mouth with each delectable bite.

French patisserie techniques blend seamlessly with simple ingredients to create an elegant treat.

Crisp exterior and soft interior promise a delightful contrast that delights the senses.

Professional bakers and home cooks alike adore this classic dessert for its versatility and sophisticated charm.

Sweet lovers will find these cream puffs irresistibly addictive and surprisingly easy to master.

Prepare to indulge in a dessert that turns an ordinary moment into a celebration of culinary artistry.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 202 kcal

Servings: 12

What Goes In for This Mom’s Cream Puffs

• Water: Creates the foundational liquid for developing pastry's structure.
• Butter: Adds rich flavor and helps create flaky, tender texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Provides warm, subtle aromatic undertone.
• Sugar: Enhances overall sweetness and helps with golden browning.
• Flour: Provides crucial structure and binding for pastry dough.
• Eggs: Contribute to rising, binding, and creating glossy, smooth consistency.

• Heavy Whipping Cream: Delivers luxurious, light, and airy texture.
• Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix: Stabilizes cream and adds sweet vanilla flavor.
• Milk: Helps achieve perfect creamy consistency.

• Powdered Sugar: Creates elegant, decorative dusting with soft sweetness.

Tools You’ll Use for Mom’s Cream Puffs

• Saucepan: Medium-sized pan for boiling water and butter mixture.
• Baking sheet: Flat metal pan for baking pastry puffs.
• Parchment paper: Non-stick liner for easy pastry removal.
• Piping bag or two spoons: Tools for shaping pastry mounds.
• Wire rack: Allows pastry to cool and release steam evenly.
• Large mixing bowl: For preparing cream filling.
• Electric mixer or whisk: To beat cream filling until thick.
• Sharp knife: For slicing pastry shells in half.
• Measuring cups and spoons: For accurate ingredient measurements.
• Spatula: For stirring and mixing ingredients smoothly.

Let’s Cook This Cream Puffs

• Whip Up the Pastry Dough

Grab a saucepan and toss in water, butter, vanilla, and sugar. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil. Yank it off the heat and dump in flour, stirring like crazy until a smooth dough ball forms. Let the dough chill for a few minutes, then crack in eggs one by one, mixing until silky and glossy.

• Craft and Bake the Puffs

Heat the oven to a toasty 400F. Dollop spoonfuls of dough onto a lined baking sheet, keeping them nicely spaced. Slide the sheet into the oven and bake for 15 minutes. Drop the temperature to 350F and continue baking until they turn a gorgeous golden brown. Quick move: poke a tiny hole in each puff to let steam escape and prevent sogginess. Transfer to a cooling rack.

• Create the Dreamy Filling

Grab a mixing bowl and combine cream, pudding mix, and milk. Whip it up until the mixture becomes luscious and holds its shape like a billowy cloud.

• Assemble Your Delightful Treats

Slice the cooled puffs in half. Lavish the bottom halves with a generous heap of creamy filling. Crown with the top halves and dust with a snowfall of powdered sugar if you’re feeling fancy.

Helpful Notes for Mom’s Cream Puffs

• Perfect Pastry Tricks: Light, Crispy Cream Puffs Every Time
• Moisture Management: Allow choux pastry to cool slightly before adding eggs to prevent scrambling and ensure a smooth, glossy texture that rises beautifully.
• Steam Release Technique: Immediately pierce a small slit in baked puffs to let excess moisture escape, guaranteeing crisp, airy shells that won't turn soggy.
• Temperature Precision: Use room temperature eggs for better incorporation and consistent pastry volume, helping create uniform, perfectly puffy shells.
• Filling Flexibility: Swap vanilla pudding mix with different flavors like chocolate, strawberry, or add a splash of liqueur for an adult twist on this classic dessert.
• Dietary Adaptations: Make gluten-free versions using alternative flour blends, or create dairy-free cream fillings with coconut whipped cream for those with dietary restrictions.

Perfect Pairings for Mom’s Cream Puffs

• Sweet Afternoon Tea Partner: Serve these cream puffs alongside delicate tea selections like Earl Grey or chamomile for an elegant dessert experience that feels like a mini celebration.
• Festive Dessert Platter: Create a stunning display by arranging cream puffs with fresh berries, chocolate drizzle, and mint leaves to make your dessert table look professionally styled and irresistible.
• Flavor Adventure Twist: Experiment with filling variations like chocolate pudding, lemon curd, or adding a splash of liqueur to the whipped cream for unexpected taste sensations that'll surprise your guests.
• Brunch Showstopper: Present these cream puffs as a decadent finale to a weekend brunch, complementing savory dishes and adding a touch of sweet sophistication to your meal spread.

Storing Suggestions for Mom’s Cream Puffs

• Smart Storage Solutions
• Chilled Sanctuary: Store cream puffs in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Keep them on a flat surface to maintain their delicate structure and prevent cream from squishing.
• Quick Freeze Strategy: Individually wrap unfilled pastry shells in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bags. Frozen shells stay fresh for 1-2 months. Thaw at room temperature before filling to preserve their crispy texture.
• Filling Freshness Hack: Prepare cream filling just before serving to prevent sogginess. Refrigerate whipped cream mixture separately in a sealed container for maximum flavor and texture retention.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Assemble cream puffs no more than 2-3 hours before serving. This ensures crisp pastry shells and maintains the perfect cream consistency without compromising taste or presentation.

Heavenly Cream Puffs Recipe

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4.6 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Mom’s famous cream puffs embody classic French pastry perfection with delicate choux pastry and silky vanilla cream. Elegant desserts like these showcase culinary skill and create sweet memories for family gatherings.

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Ingredients

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• 4 large eggs
• 8 tbsps (1 stick) unsalted butter
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup water
• ⅓ cup whole milk
• 1 pint heavy whipping cream
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp granulated sugar
• 1 package (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix

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Instructions

1. Pastry Preparation: Heat water, butter, vanilla extract, and sugar in a saucepan until boiling. Remove from heat and swiftly incorporate flour, stirring until the mixture forms a cohesive ball that separates from the pan’s sides.
2. Dough Conditioning: Allow the dough to cool slightly, then gradually integrate eggs one at a time. Vigorously beat after each addition until the mixture becomes smooth and develops a glossy appearance.
3. Baking Setup: Preheat the oven to 400F (200C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Pipe or spoon tablespoon-sized dough mounds, maintaining about 2 inches of space between each.
4. Baking Process: Bake pastry shells for 15 minutes at the initial high temperature, then reduce heat to 350F (175C). Continue baking for an additional 15 minutes until shells turn a rich golden brown. Immediately create a small steam-releasing slit on the side of each puff.
5. Filling Creation: Combine heavy whipping cream, instant vanilla pudding mix, and milk. Whip at medium-high speed until the mixture transforms into a thick, stiff-peaked cream.
6. Assembly and Finishing: Cool pastry shells completely, then slice horizontally. Layer the prepared cream filling onto bottom halves, reassemble by placing top shells back in position. Dust with a light veil of powdered sugar before serving.

Notes

• Optimize Pastry Consistency: Ensure proper flour incorporation by stirring vigorously until the dough forms a smooth, unified ball that cleanly separates from pan sides. This technique guarantees the perfect choux pastry texture.
• Control Moisture Carefully: Create a small steam-releasing slit immediately after baking to prevent soggy shells. Proper ventilation maintains the crisp, delicate exterior crucial for authentic cream puff structure.
• Whip Cream Filling Precisely: Beat the cream mixture at medium-high speed until stiff peaks form. Overbeating can cause separation, while underbeating results in a runny filling that compromises the dessert’s integrity.
• Temperature Management Matters: Follow the two-stage baking method meticulously – start at 400F, then reduce to 350F. This technique ensures golden-brown, perfectly puffed shells with a crisp exterior and soft interior.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 168
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 92 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 15 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 3.5 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg