Description
These elegant cream puffs feature a crisp, airy choux pastry shell filled with a decadent strawberry-infused whipped cream and draped in a silky, rich chocolate ganache. Perfect for celebrations or a cozy afternoon treat, these puffs perfectly balance the creamy texture of French patisserie with the bright, sunshine-filled flavor of natural freeze-dried strawberries. A delightful project that rewards the home baker with a sophisticated, soul-warming dessert that is as beautiful to look at as it is to eat.
Ingredients
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cubed
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 large eggs, at room temperature
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1/3 cup freeze-dried strawberries, pulverized into powder
2 tablespoons powdered sugar
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 tablespoons heavy cream (for ganache)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a medium saucepan, combine 3/4 cup water, butter, sugar, and salt over medium heat until the butter melts and the mixture comes to a gentle boil.
Remove from heat and stir in the flour all at once, stirring vigorously until a dough ball forms.
Return the pan to low heat for 1 minute, stirring constantly to dry out the dough slightly.
Transfer dough to a bowl and let cool for 5 minutes.
Add eggs one at a time, beating thoroughly after each addition until the dough is smooth and glossy.
Pipe mounds of dough onto the baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes until golden and hollow sounding.
Turn off the oven, poke the sides with a toothpick for steam release, and leave in the cooling oven for 10 minutes.
While puffs cool, beat the heavy cream with strawberry powder and powdered sugar until stiff peaks form.
Heat chocolate and 2 tablespoons cream in the microwave in 20-second bursts until smooth to create the ganache.
Fill cooled puffs with strawberry cream and drizzle with the warm chocolate ganache.
Notes
Ensure your eggs are at room temperature to help the emulsion process of the choux pastry. Do not open the oven door during the first 20 minutes of baking to prevent the puffs from collapsing. These are best served within a few hours of assembly, but unfilled shells can be stored in an airtight container for 2 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 puff
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 85mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 75mg