Mom’s Famous Cream Puffs: A Light & Airy Delight

If there’s one dessert that always impresses, it’s homemade cream puffs! With their crispy, golden shells and luscious creamy filling, these French-inspired pastries are a timeless classic. Mom’s Famous Cream Puffs are light as air, perfectly flaky, and filled with sweet, velvety cream—just like the ones from a Parisian bakery!

The best part? They’re surprisingly easy to make with just a few ingredients!

---

Why You’ll Love These Cream Puffs

✅ Light, Crispy, & Perfectly Puffy – The choux pastry bakes up golden and airy.
✅ Simple Ingredients – Made with butter, water, flour, eggs, and vanilla.
✅ Easy But Elegant – A bakery-quality dessert you can make at home.
✅ Perfect for Any Occasion – Great for holidays, parties, or just because!
✅ Make-Ahead Friendly – You can prepare the shells in advance.

---

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Choux Pastry (Cream Puff Shells)

• 1 stick (½ cup) butter
• 1 cup water
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 4 large eggs

For the Cream Filling

• 1 ½ cups heavy cream
• ¼ cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For Dusting (Optional)

• Powdered sugar

---

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Make the Choux Pastry Dough

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a saucepan, heat butter and water over medium heat until the butter melts and the mixture starts to boil.
3. Stir in the vanilla extract, flour, and salt all at once. Mix vigorously with a wooden spoon until the dough forms a ball and pulls away from the sides of the pan.
4. Remove from heat and let cool for 5 minutes.
5. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition until the mixture is smooth and glossy.

---

Step 2: Shape & Bake the Cream Puffs

1. Transfer the dough to a piping bag (or use a spoon) and pipe 1 ½-inch mounds onto the baking sheet, spacing them 2 inches apart.
2. Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown and puffed.
3. Turn off the oven, crack the door open slightly, and let the puffs cool inside for 10 minutes (this prevents them from collapsing).
4. Transfer to a wire rack and let them cool completely before filling.

---

Step 3: Make the Cream Filling

1. In a bowl, beat heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form.
2. Transfer to a piping bag fitted with a star tip.

---

Step 4: Fill & Serve the Cream Puffs

1. Slice each cream puff in half or use a piping tip to poke a hole in the bottom.
2. Pipe the whipped cream filling inside each puff.
3. Dust the tops with powdered sugar for an elegant finish.
4. Serve immediately and enjoy!

(💡 Pro Tip: For extra indulgence, drizzle with melted chocolate or fill with pastry cream!)

---

Serving Ideas & Pairings

🍓 With Fresh Berries – Adds a fruity contrast to the sweet cream.
☕ With Coffee or Espresso – The perfect afternoon treat.
🍫 With Chocolate Sauce – Because chocolate makes everything better!
🍨 With Ice Cream – Slice a cream puff open and add a scoop of ice cream!

---

Tips for Perfect Cream Puffs

🔹 Don’t Open the Oven Early – Sudden temperature changes can cause the puffs to collapse.
🔹 Use Room Temperature Eggs – Helps the dough absorb moisture evenly.
🔹 Bake Until Fully Golden – Undercooked puffs can become soggy inside.
🔹 Let the Puffs Cool in the Oven – This prevents them from deflating too quickly.
🔹 Fill Just Before Serving – Keeps them crispy on the outside and creamy inside.

---

Fun Variations to Try

🍫 Chocolate Cream Puffs – Add 2 tbsp cocoa powder to the dough for a chocolatey twist.
🍋 Lemon Cream Puffs – Fill with lemon curd whipped cream.
🎂 Birthday Cream Puffs – Mix sprinkles into the filling for a festive touch!
🥜 Peanut Butter Cream Puffs – Fill with peanut butter whipped cream and drizzle with chocolate.

---

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Make Cream Puffs in Advance?

Yes! Bake the cream puff shells up to 2 days ahead and store them in an airtight container. Fill just before serving.

Can I Freeze Cream Puffs?

Absolutely! Freeze the baked (unfilled) cream puffs for up to 2 months. Thaw and fill when ready to serve.

Why Did My Cream Puffs Collapse?

• The dough may have been too wet (eggs not properly incorporated).
• The oven was opened too soon, causing a sudden drop in temperature.
• They weren’t baked long enough—make sure they’re golden brown and crisp!

Can I Fill These with Custard Instead of Whipped Cream?

Yes! Classic French profiteroles are filled with pastry cream (crème pâtissière) instead of whipped cream.

---

Final Thoughts

Mom’s Famous Cream Puffs are light, airy, and perfectly filled with sweet whipped cream. Whether you’re making them for a holiday, special occasion, or just because you love desserts, these homemade treats will always impress.

Try them today—you’ll feel like a French pastry chef in no time!

Print