Decadent French Breakfast Puffs
Indulge in the delicate, buttery goodness of Decadent French Breakfast Puffs, a delightful treat inspired by classic French café pastries. With the convenience of a food processor, these light, fluffy muffins come together in no time, ready to be baked to perfection and rolled in a delightful mixture of melted butter, sugar, and cinnamon. Perfect for brunch or as a sweet snack, these puffs are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Enjoy them fresh from the oven or reheated for an exquisite experience!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
cold butter
1/3 cup (cubed)
sugar
1/2 cup ((or to suit taste, divided))
egg
1 (beaten)
vanilla extract
1 teaspoon (pure)
flour
1 1/2 cups (all-purpose)
baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons
salt
1/2 teaspoon
nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon (ground)
half-and-half cream
1/2 cup
melted butter
1/2 cup
sugar
1/2 cup (for rolling)
cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons (ground)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a muffin tin with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
2
In a large mixing bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg until well combined.
3
In a food processor fitted with a steel blade, pulse the cold, cubed butter and 1/2 cup of sugar using an on/off method until the mixture resembles a cream.
4
Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter mixture, blending until fully incorporated.
5
With the food processor running, gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with the half-and-half cream. Make sure to end with the cream for a smooth batter.
6
Carefully spoon the batter into the prepared muffin tins, filling each about two-thirds full.
7
Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the tops are a beautiful golden brown and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
8
Once baked, remove the puffs from the oven and allow them to cool slightly before transferring them to a wire rack.
9
While still warm, dip each puff first into melted butter and then roll in the mixture of sugar and cinnamon until fully coated. If you don't plan to serve the puffs immediately, it's best to wait to coat them until just before serving.
10
To reheat frozen or refrigerated puffs, simply follow the same butter and sugar rolling method once warmed. Serve hot for the best experience and enjoy!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Decadent French Breakfast Puffs?
They are light, fluffy muffins inspired by French café pastries, rolled in melted butter and a cinnamon-sugar mixture.
What is the recommended oven temperature for this recipe?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C).
How long do the puffs need to bake?
Bake the puffs for 20-25 minutes until the tops are golden brown.
Should the butter for the batter be cold or melted?
The recipe calls for 1/3 cup of cold, cubed butter to be creamed with sugar in a food processor.
What is the purpose of using a food processor in this recipe?
The food processor is used to pulse the cold butter and sugar together until the mixture resembles a cream.
How do I prepare the muffin tin?
Grease the muffin tin with cooking spray to prevent the puffs from sticking.
Which dry ingredients should be sifted together?
Sift together the flour, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg.
How full should I fill each muffin tin cup?
Fill each muffin tin cup about two-thirds full with batter.
What is the final coating for the puffs?
The puffs are dipped in melted butter and then rolled in a mixture of sugar and ground cinnamon.
When is the best time to coat the puffs in sugar and cinnamon?
It is best to coat them while they are still warm, or just before serving.
Can these breakfast puffs be frozen?
Yes, they can be frozen; reheat them before following the butter and sugar rolling method.
What kind of cream is used in the batter?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of half-and-half cream.
How do I know when the puffs are finished baking?
They are done when the tops are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Is it necessary to sift the flour?
Yes, sifting ensures a light and fluffy texture for the muffins.
What role does nutmeg play in the recipe?
Nutmeg provides a subtle, warm spice flavor characteristic of traditional French puffs.
Can I use a hand mixer instead of a food processor?
While a food processor is recommended for the butter-creaming method, a hand mixer or pastry cutter can work as substitutes.
What should I do if I am not serving the puffs immediately?
Wait to coat them in the butter and sugar mixture until just before you plan to serve them.
What type of flour is best for this recipe?
All-purpose flour is the standard choice for these breakfast puffs.
How many eggs are required for one batch?
This recipe requires one beaten egg.
What is the texture of these puffs?
They are crispy on the outside due to the sugar coating and soft and fluffy on the inside.
Can I use vanilla bean paste instead of extract?
Yes, pure vanilla extract is called for, but vanilla bean paste can be used as a flavorful alternative.
How much cinnamon is used in the rolling mixture?
The recipe uses 1 1/2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon mixed with 1/2 cup of sugar.
What is the serving suggestion for these puffs?
They are best served hot, fresh from the oven, or reheated.
How much salt is included in the dry ingredients?
The recipe calls for 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
Is the sugar divided in this recipe?
Yes, 1/2 cup is used in the batter and another 1/2 cup is used for the cinnamon-sugar coating.
What should I do after removing the puffs from the oven?
Allow them to cool slightly in the tin before transferring them to a wire rack.
What is the total count of ingredients used?
There are 12 ingredients in total for this recipe.
What order should I add ingredients to the food processor?
Cream butter and sugar, add egg and vanilla, then alternate dry ingredients and half-and-half.
Why should I end with the half-and-half cream when mixing?
Ending with the cream helps ensure a smooth batter consistency.
Are these puffs considered a quick breakfast option?
Yes, they are tagged as 'quick' and 'easy' due to the use of a food processor and simple baking steps.