Classic Profiteroles Recipe | Perfect Cream Puffs with Pastry Cream

heavy cream

🥗Healthier: Greek yogurt

💰Cheaper: milk + cornstarch

Greek yogurt reduces calories while maintaining creaminess

dark chocolate

🥗Healthier: cocoa powder + coconut oil

💰Cheaper: milk chocolate

Cocoa powder + coconut oil is a lower-calorie option.

In a saucepan, add 1 egg, ¾ cup sugar, 2 tbsp cornstarch, and a pinch of salt. Whisk together thoroughly.

Pour in 2 ½ cups of hot milk in a thin stream while whisking constantly to temper the eggs.

Place over medium heat and cook, stirring constantly, until thickened. Remove from heat and cover with plastic wrap in contact with the surface to prevent a skin from forming. Let cool to room temperature.

In a pot, pour 1 cup of water and add a pinch of salt and 3.5 oz of butter. Bring to a boil, stirring until the butter melts.

Remove from heat and dump in 1 ¼ cups of all-purpose flour all at once. Stir vigorously with a spatula until it forms a ball.

Return the pot to medium heat and cook the dough for about 1–2 minutes until smooth and pulls away from the sides of the pot. Remove from heat and let rest for 5–10 minutes.

Add 4 to 5 eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition until smooth. Whisk the last egg in a bowl and add it bit by bit to control consistency.

Transfer the dough to a piping bag and pipe small swirls, about 1.5 to 2 inches in diameter, onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving space between them.

Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and bake for the first 10 minutes, then reduce the heat to 340°F (170°C) and bake for another 25–30 minutes without opening the oven.

Let the puffs cool completely.

Whip 9 oz of softened butter until pale and fluffy, then add the cooled custard base a few tablespoons at a time, ensuring both are at room temperature to prevent breaking.

Transfer the cream into a piping bag with a small nozzle and make a small hole at the bottom or side of each puff to fill with cream.

Dust the filled puffs with powdered sugar before serving.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens