Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: Varies depending on size
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: French
Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients:
- 250 g water
- 80 g butter
- 1 dash of salt
- 125 g flour
- 3-4 eggs, depending on the flour’s absorption capacity
- Egg yolk for brushing (optional)
- Icing sugar for dusting or chocolate for covering (optional)
Preparation:
- Prepare Dough: In a saucepan, bring water and butter to a boil. Add flour and salt all at once and stir vigorously until a smooth dough forms that pulls away from the sides of the pan, forming a ball.
- Dry Out Dough: Return the pan to low heat and dry out the dough by stirring continuously until a thin film forms on the bottom of the pan (about 1 minute). Remove from heat.
- Incorporate Eggs: Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. To check the consistency, lift the dough with a spoon; it should form a ‘duckbill’ shape. If the dough is too stiff, add a little of an extra beaten egg.
- Pipe and Bake: Preheat the oven to 180°C (356°F). Transfer the dough to a piping bag. Pipe onto a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Optionally, brush with egg yolk and sprinkle with icing sugar.
- Baking: Bake for about 30 minutes without opening the oven mid-bake, as this can cause the puffs to collapse.
- Finish and Serve: Once baked and cooled, fill them with custard, dust with icing sugar, or cover with melted chocolate.
Notes:
- The exact number of eggs needed can vary. The dough should be smooth, shiny, and firm enough to hold its shape.
- These puffs are perfect for filling with sweet or savory fillings like custard, whipped cream, or even cheese.
- Store unfilled pastries in an airtight container for a few days and fill just before serving.
We’d love to hear about your experience making these! Share your stories, photos, or any variations you tried in the comments below.
Happy cooking