Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups whole milk
- ½ vanilla bean (split and seeded)
- ½ cup granulated sugar (divided)
- 1 large egg
- 2 egg yolks
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup unsalted butter (cubed)
- 2 cups whole milk
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ¼ teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 5 large eggs (variable quantity)
- Powdered sugar (for dusting)
Instructions
- Prepare the pastry cream by warming the milk in a saucepan. In a bowl, whisk the egg yolks, sugar, and cornstarch until pale. Slowly add hot milk to the yolk mixture, then return to the stove and cook while whisking until thickened. Remove from heat, mix in butter and vanilla, then chill covered with plastic wrap.
- Create the choux paste by combining water, milk, butter, sugar, and salt in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, add flour all at once, and stir vigorously until the mixture pulls away from the sides of the pan and forms a film on the bottom.
- In a stand mixer, beat the choux paste on medium speed for 1-2 minutes to release steam. Add eggs one by one, ensuring each is incorporated fully before adding the next until the paste is thick and holds a shape when dripped from a spoon.
- Pipe the choux paste onto parchment-lined baking sheets and brush an egg wash over the tops.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F until golden brown for 30-35 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack.
- Prepare the crème légère by whisking the chilled pastry cream until smooth and folding in whipped heavy cream until combined and light.
- Fill the pastry shells with crème légère and serve immediately.
Notes
These cream puffs are best served fresh but can be stored for a short time in the refrigerator if needed.
For extra flavor, consider adding chocolate or caramel sauce on top of your filled cream puffs.
Experiment with different flavors of pâte à choux by adding citrus zest or coffee to the choux paste.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cream puff
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 80mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Nutritional information is an estimate. The nutritional values for your final dish may vary based on measuring differences and products used.