Cream Puffs Recipe

Cream Puffs Recipe

Cream puffs are delightful pastries with a light, airy texture filled with a creamy filling. This classic French dessert has been enjoyed for centuries and continues to be a favorite treat for many people around the world. In this recipe, we will guide you through making delicious cream puffs from scratch.

Fun Fact: Cream puffs are also known as "choux à la crème" in French, which translates to "cabbage with cream." The name comes from the puffs' resemblance to little cabbages when they are baked.

Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup shortening
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 cup milk
- 2 cups flour
- 4 teaspoons Dr. Price's Baking Powder
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla or lemon extract
- 1-1/2 cups chopped figs or dates (optional)
- Foamy sauce (for serving)

Instructions:
1. Cream the shortening in a mixing bowl. Slowly add sugar while continuously beating until well combined.

2. Add the egg to the mixture and beat until incorporated.

3. Pour in the milk and mix well until all the ingredients are thoroughly combined.

4. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Then, gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring constantly until a smooth and thick batter forms.

5. If desired, fold in the chopped figs or dates to add a delightful fruity flavor to the cream puffs.

6. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).

7. Line a baking tray with parchment paper or lightly grease it.

8. Using a spoon or a piping bag, drop about 2 tablespoons of the batter onto the prepared tray, leaving enough space between each puff to allow for expansion during baking.

9. Place the tray in the preheated oven and bake for about 20-25 minutes or until the cream puffs have puffed up and turned golden brown.

10. Once baked, remove the cream puffs from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack.

11. While the puffs are cooling, prepare your desired filling. Vanilla or chocolate cream are popular options, but you can also get creative with flavored creams or even ice cream.

12. Once the cream puffs have cooled completely, carefully slice the top third off each puff horizontally using a sharp knife.

13. Fill the hollowed cream puffs generously with the prepared filling.

14. Place the top portion of the cream puff back onto the filled base to create a round shape.

15. Serve the cream puffs on a platter and drizzle them with foamy sauce for added sweetness.

Fun Fact: Cream puffs can be served as an individual bite-sized dessert or arranged in a pyramid shape to create an impressive dessert tower.

Cream puffs are a delightful dessert on their own, but they can also be enjoyed with variations and complementary dishes. Here are a few similar recipe ideas:

- Profiteroles: These are similar to cream puffs but typically smaller in size and often filled with ice cream. They are commonly served with a warm chocolate sauce drizzled on top.

- Éclairs: Another classic French pastry, éclairs are elongated cream puffs filled with a pastry cream and topped with a glaze or icing. They are a popular choice in many patisseries around the world.

- Churros: Although not exactly the same as cream puffs, churros are fried dough pastries that are often filled with sweet cream or chocolate and topped with powdered sugar or cinnamon. They are popular in Spanish and Latin American cuisines.

- Beignets: These deep-fried dough balls are popular in New Orleans cuisine. Beignets are served with a generous dusting of powdered sugar and can be filled with various sweet fillings such as fruit preserves or chocolate.

Experiment with different flavors and fillings to create your own twist on cream puffs, or try these related dishes for a delicious variety of sweet treats. Enjoy!