Cream puffs

Delicious Choux à la Crème Recipe: Cream Puffs with Fondant Glaze

This classic choux à la crème recipe, or cream puffs, is a true symbol of pastry making. With a light and airy texture, these delights are filled with a fine cream and covered with a delicious fondant. Whether you serve them for a special occasion or simply crave a refined dessert, these cream puffs will surely impress. Let's get started!

Preparation time:
- Active time: 1 hour
- Baking time: 35-40 minutes
- Total time: 1 hour and 40 minutes
- Number of servings: 20 puffs

Ingredients

For the puffs:
- 250 ml water
- 90 ml oil
- 160 g flour
- A pinch of salt
- 4 eggs

For the cream:
- 500 ml milk
- 4 egg yolks
- 5 tablespoons sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon cocoa powder (optional for decoration)

For the whipped cream:
- 100 ml heavy cream
- 100 ml liquid cream
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 packet of vanilla sugar

For the fondant:
- 250 g sugar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon cocoa powder (optional)
- 75 ml water

Preparation

Step 1: Prepare the puffs
1. In a medium saucepan, bring water, oil, and salt to a boil. Wait for it to reach boiling point.
2. When the water is boiling, add the flour all at once, stirring vigorously with a whisk to avoid lumps. You will notice the dough pulling away from the sides of the pan.
3. Let the dough cool slightly, then add the eggs one at a time. Make sure each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. This step is essential for achieving a light texture.
4. Preheat the oven to 180°C (medium heat). Meanwhile, prepare a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
5. Using a piping bag or a plastic bag, pipe portions of dough the size of a walnut, leaving enough space between them to expand while baking.
6. Bake the puffs for 35-40 minutes, without opening the oven in the first 20 minutes. You want them to become nicely browned and puff up perfectly.

Step 2: Prepare the cream
7. In a saucepan, boil the milk with the sugar. In a separate bowl, mix the egg yolks with the cornstarch and flour.
8. When the milk reaches boiling point, take a spoonful of it and add it to the yolk mixture, stirring constantly to temper the eggs.
9. Continue adding 7-8 spoonfuls of milk, then pour the entire mixture back into the saucepan. Place it on the heat and stir continuously until the cream thickens. Once ready, remove from heat and fold in the beaten egg whites gently to maintain the airiness.
10. Add the vanilla extract and let the cream cool, covering it with aluminum foil to prevent a crust from forming.

Step 3: Prepare the whipped cream
11. In a bowl, whip the heavy cream and liquid cream together with the sugar and vanilla sugar until you achieve stiff peaks. This step adds a note of freshness and a pleasant contrast to the cream.

Step 4: Prepare the fondant
12. In a small saucepan, bring the sugar and water to a boil over low heat. Use the drop test to check the syrup's consistency. When it becomes thicker, add the honey.
13. Remove the saucepan from the heat and place it in a larger bowl of cold water. Stir constantly with a wooden spoon until the syrup turns whitish. Add cocoa powder if you want a flavored fondant.

Step 5: Assemble the puffs
14. Once the puffs have completely cooled, cut off the top of each one to create a lid. Fill each puff with a generous layer of cream, followed by a layer of whipped cream.
15. Place the lid on top and, using a fork, glaze each puff with the prepared fondant. Let them set for a while before serving.

Serving suggestions
Serve these puffs with a cup of freshly brewed coffee or a fragrant tea. If you want to impress even more, you can add some fresh berries alongside the puffs for a contrast of textures and flavors.

Helpful tips
- Make sure the eggs are at room temperature for better incorporation into the dough.
- Do not open the oven in the first 20 minutes of baking to allow the puffs to rise evenly.
- If you don't have time to make fondant, you can glaze them with melted chocolate for a quicker yet equally delicious option.

Nutritional information
Each puff contains approximately 150 calories, making it a delicious but not overly caloric option. They provide protein from the eggs and milk, as well as calcium and essential vitamins.

Possible variations
- You can experiment with different fillings, such as chocolate cream or lemon cream.
- Replace the cocoa in the fondant with food coloring to give it a festive look.

Choux à la crème is a recipe that brings joy and flavor to any moment. With a little patience and dedication, you will achieve a dessert that will surely become your favorite. Try this recipe and enjoy every bite!

 Ingredients: Baskets: (20 pieces) 250 ml water, 90 ml oil, 160 g flour, a pinch of salt, 4 eggs. Cream: 500 ml milk, 4 eggs, 5 tablespoons sugar, 2 tablespoons starch, 2 tablespoons flour, 1 teaspoon cocoa, half a bottle of vanilla essence. Whipped cream: 100 ml sour cream, 100 ml liquid cream, 2 tablespoons sugar, 1 vanilla sugar. Fondant: 250 g sugar, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 teaspoon cocoa, 75 ml water.

 Tags:  cream puffs eclairs fodant whipped cream eclair shells