Choux au Craquelin – Crispy Cream Puffs

Choux au Craquelin are mini cream puffs topped with a sweet crispy topping, called craquelin, that are simply hard to resist.

The craquelin is a dough made with softened butter, brown sugar and flour. It is chilled and then cut into thin discs to place on top of the choux to bake together. You can add different colorings and flavorings to the craquelin to create various memorable cream puffs.

You can also choose various fillings, from pastry cream to simply chantilly cream, ice cream, fruits, or anything else you might like best.

The advantage of using craquelin on top of the choux pastry is that while baking, besides the amazing crispy texture, it helps create an even top, without cracks.

How to make choux au craquelin

Begin by preparing the craquelin. In a bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until well combined. Add the flour and mix until a dough forms. Divide the mixture in two and add cocoa powder to one half.

Place each half of the dough between two sheets of plastic wrap or parchment paper and roll until very thin, about 2-3 mm thick. Refrigerate the two pieces of dough for 1-2 hours or freeze for 30-45 minutes.

How to 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 the flour all at once, mixing vigorously with a wooden spoon until the mixture is homogenous.

Return the saucepan to low heat and cook for 1-2 minutes while stirring to pull out the moisture from the batter until it pulls away from the sides of the pan. Transfer the batter to a large bowl and allow to cool slightly. Add the eggs one at a time, carefully incorporating each into the batter until smooth and homogeneous.

Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Fit a pastry bag with a large ½ inch (1cm) round tip and pipe the choux pastry into 1-inch (3cm) circles on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.

Remove the craquelin dough from the freezer or fridge and cut 1-inch (3cm) discs using a cookie cutter or piping tip. Place the discs on top of the choux, pressing slightly.

Bake for 25-30 minutes until browned and puffed. Prick each choux with a skewer to release steam and allow to cool on a wire rack.

How to prepare the Chantilly Cream

In a large bowl, whip the cream with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form. Add sugar and vanilla extract, and mix to combine.

Use a piping bag with a small plain tip to pipe the cream inside each choux from the bottom. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Hope you will try these Choux au Craquelin – Crispy Cream Puffs as they are simply delightful. If you do don;t forget to tag me on Instagram. I love seeing how they turn out for you. Enjoy!

For more choux pastry recipes check our collection of 10 Choux Pastry Recipes.

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Choux au Craquelin - Crispy Cream Puffs

5 from 1 vote

Choux au Craquelin are mini cream puffs topped with a sweet crispy topping, called craquelin, that are simply hard to resist.

Servings 35 servings

Prep Time 50 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

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Ingredients

  

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Craquelin

• 1/4 cup (56g) butter , room temperature
• 1/3 cup (67g) light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup (62g) flour
• 1 tbsp (8g) unsweetened cocoa powder

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

Chantilly Cream

• 2 cups (480g) whipping cream , 35% fat
• 1/2 cup (60g) powdered sugar
• 1 tsp (5g) vanilla extract

Instructions

 

Prepare the craquelin.

• In a bowl, cream together the butter and sugar, using a spatula or wooden spoon. Add flour and mix until combined. Divide the mixture in two and add cocoa powder in one half of it.
• Put the dough between two sheets of plastic wrap or parchment paper and roll the dough until very thin, about 2-3 mm thick.
• Refrigerate the two pieces of dough for 1 -2 hours or freeze for 30-45 mins.

Meanwhile 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. 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, homogeneous batter which still holds its shape.
• Preheat oven to 350F (180C). 
• Fit a pastry bag with a large ½ inch (1cm) round tip and pipe the dough into 1 inch (3 cm) circles on a parchment paper lined baking sheet.
• Remove the craquelin dough from the freezer or fridge and cut 1 inch (3cm) discs, using a cookie cutter or a piping tip. 
• Place the discs on top of the choux, pressing slightly.
• 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.

Prepare Chantilly Cream.

• In a large bowl whip the cream with an electric mixer until it forms stiff peaks. Add sugar and vanilla extract and mix to combine.
• Use a piping bag with a small plain tip to pipe the cream inside the choux from the bottom of it.
• Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1 serving out of 35Calories: 89kcalCarbohydrates: 7.8gProtein: 1.5gFat: 5.9gSaturated Fat: 3.5gCholesterol: 35mgSugar: 3.5g

Calories: 89kcal

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: French

Keyword: Choux au Craquelin, choux pastry, craquelin, cream puffs, Crispy Cream Puffs