If you’re looking to impress family and friends with a timeless, delicious dessert, look no further than Mom’s Famous Cream Puffs Recipe. These delightfully light, airy pastries filled with a luscious vanilla cream are the perfect treat to brighten any occasion. The magic lies in the tender, golden puffs paired with a velvety filling that’s creamy yet not overly sweet — truly a classic that brings comfort with every bite. Once you make these, this recipe will quickly become a treasured favorite on your dessert menu.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in Mom’s Famous Cream Puffs Recipe plays a key role in creating its perfect texture and flavor. From the buttery puff shells to the silky filling, you’ll be happy to see how simple pantry staples can transform into such a show-stopping dessert.
- Butter (1 stick/8 Tablespoons): Adds richness and helps create the golden, flaky shells.
- Water (1 cup): Essential for steaming the dough and achieving that puff texture.
- Vanilla extract (1 tsp): Adds a subtle aromatic sweetness to the dough.
- Eggs (4): Provide structure and moisture, making the dough rise beautifully.
- Flour (1 cup): The base that holds your puff together.
- Heavy cream (1 pint): Whipped to creamy perfection for the luscious filling.
- Instant vanilla pudding mix (3.4 ounces): Creates a smooth, delicious filling with minimal effort.
- Milk (⅓ cup): Lightens the pudding mix and helps achieve the perfect filling consistency.
How to Make Mom’s Famous Cream Puffs Recipe
Step 1: Preparing the Dough
Start by bringing the butter, water, and vanilla extract to a rolling boil. This step is crucial for melting the butter evenly and infusing that subtle vanilla flavor right into the dough. Keep a close eye; the bubbling mixture signals that we’re ready to make the dough.
Step 2: Mixing the Flour
Once boiling, add the flour all at once and stir vigorously and constantly. You’ll notice the dough pulling away from the sides and forming a firm ball — that’s your cue to remove it from heat. This careful stirring develops gluten and determines the perfect texture for your cream puffs.
Step 3: Cooling and Adding Eggs
Allow the dough to cool slightly; too hot and it will cook the eggs prematurely. Then, beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. The resulting dough should be smooth and glossy, ready to bake into perfectly puffed shells.
Step 4: Baking Your Puffs
Spoon tablespoon-sized mounds onto parchment-lined cookie sheets, spacing them well so they have room to puff up. Bake in a preheated 400°F oven for about 25 to 30 minutes until golden-brown and firm to the touch. Resist opening the oven door too early to avoid deflating your puffs.
Step 5: Cooling and Filling
Let your baked shells cool completely. Then, carefully slice each puff in half. Prepare Mom’s filling by combining heavy cream, instant vanilla pudding mix, and milk—whip until thick and creamy. Pipe or spoon this dreamy filling generously inside each shell for that signature delight.
How to Serve Mom’s Famous Cream Puffs Recipe
Garnishes
A light dusting of powdered sugar on top adds a delicate sweetness and an elegant touch, making these cream puffs look as gorgeous as they taste. You can also drizzle melted chocolate or add fresh berries for extra flair and flavor contrast.
Side Dishes
Serve your cream puffs alongside a fresh fruit salad or a scoop of vanilla ice cream to create a memorable dessert experience. A cup of rich coffee or tea also pairs wonderfully, balancing the sweetness with a comforting beverage.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, stack the filled puffs to create a croquembouche tower, secured with caramelized sugar for a stunning centerpiece. Alternatively, use mini puff shells to make bite-sized appetizers by filling them with flavored creams or mousses — the possibilities are endless!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers, store the cream puffs separately from the filling to prevent the shells from becoming soggy. Keep the shells in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days, and refrigerate the filling.
Freezing
You can freeze the cooled, unfilled puff shells in a sealed container for up to one month. When ready to use, thaw them at room temperature, then fill with freshly whipped cream to maintain the best texture and flavor.
Reheating
To rejuvenate stored shells, warm them briefly in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes to crisp them back up. Avoid reheating filled cream puffs to preserve the creamy center’s cool freshness and prevent it from melting.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of flour for these cream puffs?
All-purpose flour works best for the right structure and texture. Substitute flours might not yield the same puffy results due to differences in protein content.
Is there a way to make the filling less sweet?
Absolutely! You can reduce the instant pudding mix or add a bit more heavy cream to balance sweetness to your liking. Alternatively, using plain whipped cream with just a hint of vanilla is a lighter option.
Can I make these cream puffs dairy-free?
Yes, but you’ll need to substitute the butter, heavy cream, and milk with plant-based alternatives. Coconut cream and dairy-free margarine can work well, but keep in mind the taste and texture will vary slightly.
What causes cream puffs to collapse after baking?
This usually happens if the oven door is opened too early or if the puffs are underbaked. Make sure to bake until they are a deep golden and firm to the touch, then cool them gradually with the oven door slightly ajar if needed.
Can I add flavors to the filling?
Definitely! Try adding a splash of coffee extract, lemon zest, or even a swirl of chocolate syrup to Mom’s Famous Cream Puffs Recipe filling for a personalized twist that keeps things exciting.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend Mom’s Famous Cream Puffs Recipe enough for anyone wanting a dessert that’s both nostalgic and impressive. It’s truly a joy to make and share, whether for a special family gathering or a simple treat to brighten your day. Give it a try—you might just find that these cream puffs become your new signature dessert too!
Print
Mom’s Famous Cream Puffs Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 16 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French-American
Description
Mom’s Famous Cream Puffs are a classic French-inspired dessert featuring light, airy choux pastry filled with a luscious vanilla-flavored cream. These delicate pastries are crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside, making them a perfect treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
Choux Pastry:
- 1 stick butter (8 Tablespoons)
- 1 cup water
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 large eggs
Filling:
- 1 pint heavy cream
- 1 package (3.4 ounces) instant vanilla pudding mix
- ⅓ cup milk
Topping:
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Boil butter mixture: In a medium saucepan, combine the butter, water, and vanilla extract, then bring to a vigorous boil over medium-high heat.
- Add flour and form dough: Remove from heat and quickly add the flour all at once. Stir continuously with a wooden spoon until the dough pulls away from the side of the pan and forms a smooth ball.
- Cool the dough: Transfer the dough to a bowl and let it cool for about 5 minutes so it’s safe to handle and won’t cook the eggs.
- Incorporate eggs: Beat in the eggs, one at a time, fully incorporating each egg before adding the next. The dough should become smooth, glossy, and slightly sticky.
- Shape puffs: Drop tablespoons of the dough onto parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow room for rising.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C) and bake the puffs for 25 to 30 minutes until they are puffed up and golden brown. Do not open the oven door during the first 20 minutes to prevent collapsing.
- Cool completely: Remove from oven and let the cream puffs cool on a wire rack completely before filling.
- Prepare filling: In a mixing bowl, whisk the heavy cream, instant vanilla pudding mix, and milk until thick and creamy. Refrigerate to set if needed.
- Assemble cream puffs: Slice each puff in half horizontally, then pipe or scoop the vanilla cream filling generously inside.
- Dust and serve: Lightly dust the filled cream puffs with powdered sugar before serving for an elegant finish.
Notes
- Ensure that the dough is not too hot when adding eggs to avoid cooking them.
- Do not open the oven door while baking to prevent the puffs from collapsing.
- For extra stability, pierce each puff once baked to let steam escape before slicing.
- Vanilla pudding mix helps stabilize the cream filling and adds flavor.
- These cream puffs are best served the same day but can be stored refrigerated overnight.
