MOM’S FAMOUS CREAM PUFFS
Ingredients:
For the choux pastry:
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 1 cup water
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 large eggs
For the filling:
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium saucepan, combine the butter, water, and salt. Heat over medium heat until the butter is melted and the mixture comes to a boil.
- Reduce the heat to low and add the flour all at once. Stir vigorously with a wooden spoon until the mixture forms a ball and pulls away from the sides of the pan. Continue to cook for another minute to dry out the dough slightly.
- Transfer the dough to a mixing bowl and let it cool for a few minutes.
- Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. The dough should be smooth and glossy.
- Spoon the dough into a piping bag fitted with a large round tip, or simply use a spoon to drop mounds of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between each one.
- Bake the cream puffs in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until they are puffed up and golden brown. Avoid opening the oven door during baking, as this can cause the cream puffs to deflate.
- Remove the cream puffs from the oven and let them cool completely on a wire rack.
- While the cream puffs are cooling, prepare the filling. In a mixing bowl, whip the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form.
- Once the cream puffs are cool, use a sharp knife to slice off the tops. Fill each puff with a generous dollop of the whipped cream filling.
- Replace the tops of the cream puffs and dust with powdered sugar if desired.
- Serve immediately, or refrigerate until ready to serve. Enjoy your delicious homemade cream puffs!