Cream Puffs with Chocolate Drizzle and Strawberry Cream
Light homemade cream puffs are filled with strawberry whipped cream and finished with a smooth chocolate drizzle. The crisp, airy choux pastry and creamy filling make these an elegant dessert without being overly sweet.
Ingredients
Cream Puff Shells
- 1 cup water
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp granulated sugar
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 large eggs room temperature
Strawberry Cream Filling
- 1 cup cold heavy whipping cream
- 2 tbsp powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp strawberry preserves or jam
Chocolate Drizzle
- ½ cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 3 tbsp heavy whipping cream
Optional Garnish
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Add the water, butter, salt, and sugar to a medium saucepan. Heat over medium-high heat until the butter has melted and the mixture reaches a boil.
- Reduce the heat to medium and add the flour 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.
- Continue stirring and cooking the dough for about 2 minutes. A thin film may form on the bottom of the saucepan.
- Transfer the dough to a mixing bowl and allow it to cool for about 5 minutes.
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. The dough may appear separated at first but should become smooth and glossy as each egg is incorporated. After the final egg, the dough should be thick enough to hold its shape when piped.
- Transfer the dough to a piping bag fitted with a large round tip. Pipe 12 mounds approximately 1 1/2 to 2 inches wide onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving space between each puff. Smooth any pointed tops with a fingertip lightly dampened with water.
- Bake at 400°F for 15 minutes without opening the oven door.
- Reduce the oven temperature to 350°F and continue baking for 18 to 20 minutes, or until the cream puffs are deeply golden, firm, and dry on the outside.
- Turn off the oven. Pierce the side or bottom of each puff with the tip of a small knife to release steam, then return them to the warm oven with the door cracked for 5 minutes.
- Transfer the cream puffs to a wire rack and cool completely before filling.
- For the strawberry cream, beat the cold heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla until stiff peaks form.
- Gently fold the strawberry preserves into the whipped cream just until evenly distributed. Transfer the filling to a piping bag fitted with a filling tip or small round tip.
- Make a small opening in the bottom of each cooled cream puff and pipe in the strawberry cream. Alternatively, slice the cream puffs horizontally and spoon or pipe the filling inside.
- Place the chocolate chips and heavy cream in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 20 seconds, stir, and continue heating in 10-second intervals until the chocolate is nearly melted. Stir until completely smooth.
- Allow the chocolate to stand for several minutes so it thickens slightly, then drizzle it over the filled cream puffs.
- Dust lightly with powdered sugar if desired. Serve soon after filling or refrigerate until ready to serve.
Notes
Make-Ahead Note: The unfilled cream puff shells can be baked a day ahead and stored in an airtight container at room temperature. If they soften, place them in a 300°F oven for 5 to 8 minutes and cool completely before filling.
Storage: Refrigerate filled cream puffs in an airtight container and enjoy within 1 day for the best texture.
Nutrition
Calories: 268 kcal | Carbohydrates: 17 g | Protein: 4 g | Fat: 21 g | Saturated Fat: 12 g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1 g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6 g | Trans Fat: 0.3 g | Cholesterol: 102 mg | Sodium: 46 mg | Potassium: 105 mg | Fiber: 1 g | Sugar: 7 g | Vitamin A: 666 IU | Vitamin C: 0.4 mg | Calcium: 34 mg | Iron: 1 mg
Nutrition information has been calculated using an autogenerating online calculation and is intended for informational purposes. For accurate nutritional information, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used.
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