I simply love making choux pastry either for eclairs or cream puffs (profiteroles). As they bake they create a hole inside which allows either sweet or savory fillings. This time I wanted to make chocolate cream puffs, filled with chocolate pastry cream and topped with chocolate ganache. They turned out really delicious and a perfect treat for chocolate lovers.
Though the recipe is easy it does take a bit of time due to cooling process but in the end all the waiting is rewarded. If you are in a hurry you can simply use some whipped cream or ice cream for the filling and in this way you can save some time. These Chocolate Cream Puffs are best served in the same day after filling to be able to enjoy the delicate crispy texture of choux pastry in combination with the creamy pastry cream.
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Chocolate Cream Puffs
Ingredients
Choux Pastry
- 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour
- 3.5 oz (100ml) milk
- 3.5 oz (100ml) water
- 2 tsp (10g) sugar
- 1/2 tsp (2g) salt
- 5 ½ tbsp (80g) unsalted butter
- 4 eggs
Chocolate Pastry Cream
- 4 egg yolks
- 1/3 cup (70g) sugar
- 1/3 cup (40g) cornstarch
- 2 cups (480 ml) milk
- 4 oz (120g) semisweet chocolate , chopped
- 1 tbsp (15g) unsalted butter
Chocolate Ganache
- 4 oz (120g) semisweet chocolate
- 1/2 cup (120g) whipping cream
Instructions
- First prepare the pastry cream to have it ready by the time the choux pastries are baked.
- Whisk the egg yolks with sugar until slightly pale.
- Incorporate the cornstarch. Pour the milk into a saucepan and bring to a simmer. Pour about a third of the hot milk over the egg yolks mixture. Pour the whole egg yolks mixture into the saucepan over the milk. Bring to a boil while stirring and thickens. Keep enough over heat to cook all the cornstarch. Remove from heat, add chocolate and keep stirring until chocolate is melted completely.
- Pour the cream into a clean bowl and allow to cool for 5 minutes, then incorporate the butter while stirring. Cool slightly, cover with plastic wrap, pressing it directly onto the surface of the pastry cream to prevent forming a skin on the surface. Refrigerate until ready to use.
- Preheat oven to 350F (180C).
- Prepare the choux pastry. Sift the flour. In a saucepan bring the milk, water, sugar, salt and butter to a boil.
- Remove from heat and add flour all at once and incorporate mixing energetically with a wooden spoon until homogenous.
- Return the saucepan over low heat and while stirring cook for 1 minute or two to pull out the moisture from the batter and until it pulls away from the sides of the pan. You will see some of the dough sticks to the bottom of the pan.
- Transfer batter to a large bowl and allow to cool slightly. Add the eggs one at a time, carefully incorporating each into the batter using the wooden spoon or even a stand mixer. It will result in a smooth, homogenous batter which still holds its shape.
- Fit a pastry bag with a large ½ inch (1cm) round tip and pipe the dough into 1- 1 1/2 inch (3-4 cm) circles on a parchment paper lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until browned and puffed.
- Prick each with a skewer to release steam and allow to cool on a wire rack. Split the cream puffs in half.
- Remove pastry cream from refrigerator and whisk until smooth. Transfer the pastry cream into a piping bag fitted with 1/4 inch (6 mm) plain or star tip.
- Pipe pastry cream to fill the cream puffs. Top with the pastry caps.
- Prepare the chocolate ganache. In a small saucepan, place cream over medium-low heat for a few minutes to get hot. No boiling or simmering needed. Remove from heat, pour over chopped chocolate and let rest for 1-2 minutes. Stir until dissolved.
- Use a spoon or transfer the ganache into a piping bag fitted with 1/8 inch (3mm) plain tip and drizzle the ganache over the top of cream puffs.
- Serve in the same day after filling.
Video
Nutrition
Did you make this recipe?
Please let me know how it turned out for you! Leave a comment below and tag @homecookingadventure on Instagram and hashtag it #homecookingadventure.
ahhh I love cream puffs AND all things chocolate, so these are totally winning me over!
For the first time I made choux pastry . Are awesome . But chocolate pastry cream was not enough 🙂 . My son said to double the recipe for it . 🙂 Anyway , were a succes ! Thank you for all yout recipes !