Mom’s Famous Cream Puffs
Ingredients
- 1 stick of butter
- 1/2 cup water
- 1.25 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 large eggs
For the Filling:
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 container (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix
- 1 cup milk
Preparation
- In a saucepan, combine the butter, water, and vanilla extract. Bring to a boil.
- Once boiling, add the flour all at once. Stir continuously until the mixture begins to pull away from the sides of the pan and forms a ball. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
- Gradually add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition until the mixture is smooth and combined.
- Drop spoonfuls of dough onto parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for approximately 40 minutes, or until puffed and golden brown. For best results, use multiple baking sheets to achieve larger puffs.
- Expert Tip: After baking, prick each puff with a toothpick to release steam. Return them to the oven with the door slightly ajar and turn off the heat. Let them cool in the oven to prevent them from collapsing.
- Once cooled, cut the puffs in half and fill with the prepared cream filling. Optionally, top with melted chocolate or dust with powdered sugar.
For the Filling:
- In a mixer, combine the heavy cream, instant vanilla pudding mix, and milk. Beat until thickened and smooth.
Enjoy your homemade cream puffs!