moms famous cream puffs

Preparation Time: 20 minutes Cooking Time: 30 minutes Total Time: 50 minutes Recipe Intensity: Moderate

Ingredients:

For the Cream Puffs:

• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 4 large eggs
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

For the Cream Filling:

• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Chocolate Glaze (optional):

• 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon corn syrup (light or dark)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone baking mat.
2. In a medium saucepan, combine water and unsalted butter. Bring to a boil over medium heat.
3. Once the butter has melted and the mixture is boiling, reduce the heat to low and add the all-purpose flour and salt all at once. Stir vigorously with a wooden spoon until the mixture forms a smooth ball and pulls away from the sides of the pan, about 1-2 minutes. Remove the pan from heat and let it cool slightly.
4. Add the eggs to the dough, one at a time, beating well after each addition until the dough is smooth and glossy.
5. Drop spoonfuls of the dough onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving enough space between each for expansion. You can use a piping bag or simply spoon the dough.
6. Bake the cream puffs in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until they are puffed up and golden brown. Avoid opening the oven door during baking to prevent deflating.
7. Once baked, transfer the cream puffs to a wire rack to cool completely.
8. While the cream puffs are cooling, prepare the cream filling. In a mixing bowl, beat the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract together until stiff peaks form.
9. Cut the cooled cream puffs in half horizontally using a serrated knife.
10. Fill the bottom halves of the cream puffs with the prepared cream filling using a spoon or piping bag.
11. Replace the top halves of the cream puffs over the cream filling.
12. Optional: Prepare the chocolate glaze by melting the semisweet chocolate chips, unsalted butter, and corn syrup together in a microwave-safe bowl or over a double boiler. Stir until smooth and glossy.
13. Drizzle the chocolate glaze over the assembled cream puffs or dip the top halves into the glaze. Let the glaze set for a few minutes.
14. Serve Mom’s Famous Cream Puffs as a delightful dessert. Enjoy the light and airy cream puffs with a creamy filling and optional chocolate glaze!

Note: You can dust the cream puffs with powdered sugar for a simple finish or garnish with fresh berries for an extra touch. Store any leftover cream puffs in an airtight container in the refrigerator.