Profiterole

Profiterole with vanilla cream and chocolate glaze

Total preparation time: 2 hours
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 30-40 minutes
Number of servings: 12-15

Welcome to the delicious world of profiteroles! This recipe, with fascinating origins, has won the hearts of dessert lovers around the globe. The profiterole is an elegant dessert made from light pastry shells filled with a fine vanilla cream and topped with a decadent chocolate glaze. Perfect for any occasion, from parties to festive dinners, this dessert will bring smiles to the faces of your loved ones. Let’s begin our culinary journey!

Ingredients

For the dough:
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup oil
- 2 cups flour
- 6 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon salt

For the vanilla cream:
- 1 liter milk
- 400 g sugar
- 160 g flour
- 8 large eggs
- 4 packets of vanilla sugar
- 2 vanilla extracts

For the glaze:
- 3 tablespoons milk
- 200 g sugar
- 3 tablespoons cocoa

Preparing the dough

1. Boiling the water: In a large pot, bring 2 cups of water, 1 cup of oil, and 1 teaspoon of salt to a boil. Make sure the mixture reaches a boiling point. This is the perfect base for your dough.

2. Adding the flour: Once the water is boiling, remove the pot from heat and add the 2 cups of flour. Quickly mix with a spatula or wooden spoon until there are no lumps. You will achieve a smooth and homogeneous dough.

3. Cooling the dough: Allow the dough to cool for 10-15 minutes. This step is crucial; if you add the eggs to hot dough, you risk cooking them.

4. Adding the eggs: Once the dough is warm, add one egg at a time, mixing well with an electric mixer after each addition. Repeat until all 6 eggs are included. The dough should become glossy and elastic.

5. Forming the shells: Preheat the oven to 200°C (392°F). Line a large baking tray with parchment paper. Use a piping bag to form balls or oval shapes on the sheet, leaving enough space between them, as they will puff up during baking.

6. Baking: Bake the shells for 30-40 minutes, until they are golden and fluffy. Do not open the oven in the first 20 minutes, as they may collapse.

Preparing the vanilla cream

1. Mixing the ingredients: In a saucepan, mix 400 g of sugar, 160 g of flour, and 4 packets of vanilla sugar. Gradually add 1 liter of milk, stirring continuously to avoid lumps.

2. Boiling the cream: Place the saucepan over medium heat and stir constantly. When the mixture starts to boil, add one egg at a time, stirring continuously until the cream thickens and becomes like a pudding. This step can take about 10-15 minutes.

3. Cooling the cream: Once the cream is ready, remove it from the heat and let it cool completely. It’s important to stir it occasionally to prevent a crust from forming.

4. Filling the shells: Using the piping bag, fill each profiterole shell with the vanilla cream. Be generous, but don’t overfill to avoid overflow.

Preparing the glaze

1. Mixing the ingredients: In a small saucepan, combine 3 tablespoons of milk, 200 g of sugar, and 3 tablespoons of cocoa. Mix well to obtain a homogeneous composition.

2. Boiling the glaze: Place the saucepan over low heat and stir constantly until the sugar completely dissolves and the mixture begins to boil. Allow it to boil for 5-10 minutes, until it thickens slightly.

3. Glazing the profiteroles: Once the glaze is ready, let it cool for a few minutes, then pour it over the profiteroles. This will create a delicious and glossy crust.

Serving

After the glaze has set, take the opportunity to serve the profiteroles on an elegant platter. You can decorate them with some chocolate flakes or a dusting of cocoa for a refined look. This dessert pairs perfectly with a fragrant coffee or fruit tea, and the combination will surely impress anyone.

Practical tips

- Types of flour: Use type 00 flour for a finer and lighter dough.
- Eclairs vs. profiteroles: Eclairs are elongated, while profiteroles are round. Both are delicious, but their shape gives them different characteristics.
- Eggless version: If you want a vegan version, you can experiment with flax eggs or mashed banana, but the result may vary.

Frequently asked questions

1. Why do the shells collapse? Make sure not to open the oven in the first 20 minutes and that the dough is well mixed.
2. How long can profiteroles be stored? They are best consumed fresh, but can be stored in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
3. Can I fill the profiteroles with something other than vanilla cream? Of course! You can use chocolate cream, whipped cream, or even ice cream.

Calories and nutritional benefits

One serving of profiteroles (about 2-3 pieces) contains approximately 250-300 calories. It’s important to consume these delights in moderation, as sugar and fats are present in larger quantities. However, profiteroles also offer some nutritional benefits, thanks to ingredients like eggs (a good source of protein) and milk (calcium and vitamins).

This is a perfect time to put your cooking skills to the test and impress your family and friends with these delicious profiteroles. I wish you happy cooking and many sweet moments!

 Ingredients: Dough 2 cups water 1 cup oil 2 cups flour 6 eggsVanilla cream 1 liter milk 2 vanilla extracts + 4 sachets of vanilla sugar 8 whole eggs 400 g sugar 160 g flourGlaze 3 tablespoons milk 200 g sugar 3 tablespoons cocoa

 Tags:  profiterole donuts