Deluxe Cream Puffs with Silky Custard Filling
These delightful cream puffs are a nostalgic treat that my mom has perfected over the years. With a light, airy pastry shell filled with a rich and silky custard, they are sure to impress at any gathering. The recipe yields about 12 to 18 puffs, depending on your preferred size. Perfect as a dessert for special occasions or just a weekend treat, these cream puffs are not only delicious but also bring a touch of homemade love to your table. Enjoy with family and friends or savor them all to yourself!
15
Servings
96
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
Water
1/2 cup (Bring to a boil.)
Margarine
1/4 cup (Melt in boiling water.)
Sifted Flour
1/2 cup (Sift before measuring.)
Eggs
2 (Beaten until blended.)
Margarine (for custard)
2 tablespoons (Melt in saucepan.)
Cornstarch
1/4 cup (No additional preparation.)
Sugar
3/4 cup (No additional preparation.)
Salt
1/2 teaspoon (No additional preparation.)
Milk
2 cups (Use whole or 2% milk.)
Egg Yolks
2 (Slightly beaten.)
Vanilla Extract
1 teaspoon (No additional preparation.)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
2
In a saucepan, combine the water and 1/4 cup margarine, and bring to a boil over medium heat.
3
Once boiling, quickly stir in the sifted flour — mix vigorously with a wooden spoon until the dough pulls away from the sides of the pan and forms a ball, about 1 minute.
4
Remove the saucepan from heat and allow the mixture to cool for a few minutes.
5
Gradually beat in the eggs, one at a time, ensuring that each egg is fully incorporated and the mixture is smooth before adding the next.
6
Drop heaping teaspoonfuls of the mixture onto a lightly greased cookie sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
7
Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, then reduce the temperature to 350°F (175°C) and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until golden brown and puffed.
8
Once done, remove the cream puffs from the oven and make a small slit in each to allow steam to escape. Let them cool on a wire rack.
9
For the custard filling, melt 2 tablespoons of margarine in a saucepan over medium heat.
10
Whisk in the cornstarch, sugar, and salt until smooth. Gradually add the milk, stirring constantly.
11
Bring the mixture to a boil while continuing to stir. Remove from heat and temper the egg yolks by slowly whisking in a small amount of the hot mixture into the yolks, then gradually whisk the yolks back into the saucepan.
12
Return the saucepan to medium heat, cooking for an additional 2 minutes until thickened. Stir in the vanilla extract and remove from heat.
13
Let the custard filling cool completely, then fill the cooled cream puffs using a piping bag or spoon.
Nutrition Information
4.2g
Fat
13.2g
Carbs
2.3g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Deluxe Cream Puffs?
Deluxe Cream Puffs are a nostalgic dessert consisting of light, airy pastry shells filled with a rich and silky homemade custard.
How many cream puffs does this recipe make?
The recipe yields approximately 12 to 18 puffs, depending on how large you make them.
What is the initial oven temperature for baking the shells?
You should preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit (220 degrees Celsius) for the first stage of baking.
How do you prepare the pastry dough?
In a saucepan, bring water and margarine to a boil, then stir in sifted flour vigorously until the dough forms a ball.
How long should I mix the flour into the boiling water and margarine?
Mix the flour vigorously for about 1 minute until the dough pulls away from the sides of the pan.
When should I add the eggs to the dough?
Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow the mixture to cool for a few minutes before adding the eggs.
How are the eggs incorporated into the dough?
Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each egg is fully incorporated and the mixture is smooth before adding the next one.
How do I place the dough onto the baking sheet?
Drop heaping teaspoonfuls of the dough onto a lightly greased cookie sheet.
How far apart should the cream puff dough be spaced?
The portions of dough should be spaced about 2 inches apart to allow for expansion during baking.
How long do the cream puffs bake at the high temperature?
Bake the puffs at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for the first 15 minutes.
At what temperature should the puffs continue baking after the initial 15 minutes?
Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) for the remainder of the baking time.
How long is the second baking stage?
The second stage lasts for an additional 10 to 15 minutes until the puffs are golden brown.
Why do I need to make a slit in the puffs after baking?
A small slit allows steam to escape, which prevents the puffs from becoming soggy as they cool.
What is the first step for making the custard filling?
Melt 2 tablespoons of margarine in a saucepan over medium heat.
What ingredients are whisked together for the custard base?
Whisk cornstarch, sugar, and salt into the melted margarine until the mixture is smooth.
What type of milk can be used for the custard?
You can use whole milk or 2% milk for this custard recipe.
How do you temper the egg yolks for the filling?
Slowly whisk a small amount of the hot milk mixture into the beaten yolks, then gradually whisk that mixture back into the main saucepan.
How long should the custard cook after adding the egg yolks?
Cook the custard for an additional 2 minutes over medium heat until it has thickened.
When is the vanilla extract added to the custard?
Stir in the vanilla extract after the custard has finished cooking and has been removed from the heat.
When is it safe to fill the cream puffs?
Both the cream puff shells and the custard filling must be completely cool before you begin the filling process.
How can I put the filling inside the puffs?
You can use a piping bag to inject the filling or a spoon to place it inside the sliced shells.
How many calories are in one serving?
One serving of these cream puffs contains approximately 96 calories.
What is the fat content per serving?
There are 4.2 grams of fat in each serving.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
Each serving contains 13.2 grams of carbohydrates.
How much protein is in one cream puff?
There are 2.3 grams of protein per serving.
How much sugar is required for the custard?
The recipe calls for 3/4 cup of sugar for the custard filling.
Is the flour sifted before measuring?
Yes, the recipe specifies 1/2 cup of sifted flour.
What is the serving size for this recipe?
The recipe is designed to provide 15 servings.
What category of food does this recipe fall into?
This recipe is categorized as a Dessert.
Can these be served for special occasions?
Yes, these deluxe cream puffs are perfect for special occasions or as a weekend treat for family and friends.