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Special Italian Cream Puffs with Custard Filling

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Delicate Italian cream puffs filled with rich vanilla custard. These airy pastries have a golden, crisp shell and a smooth, creamy center—perfect for celebrations or an elegant homemade dessert.

Ingredients

  • For the choux pastry:
  • 1 cup water
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 4 large eggs
  • For the custard filling:
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 4 large egg yolks
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
  • Optional: 1/2 cup whipped cream (folded in for lighter texture)
  • For finishing:
  • Powdered sugar, for dusting
  • Optional: melted chocolate or glaze for drizzling

Instructions

  1. Make the custard: In a saucepan, heat milk until steaming. In a bowl, whisk egg yolks, sugar, and cornstarch until smooth. Gradually whisk hot milk into the yolk mixture to temper. Return to saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until thickened. Remove from heat, stir in butter and vanilla. Cover with plastic wrap touching the surface and chill completely.
  2. Make the choux pastry: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment. In a saucepan, bring water, butter, and salt to a boil. Add flour all at once and stir until a dough ball forms. Transfer to a bowl and cool slightly. Beat in eggs one at a time until smooth and glossy.
  3. Pipe or spoon small mounds onto baking sheet. Bake for 25–30 minutes, until puffed and golden. Let cool completely.
  4. Assemble: Slice cooled puffs in half or poke a hole in the bottom. Fill with chilled custard using a piping bag or spoon. Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with chocolate.

Notes

  • Flavor the custard with lemon zest, almond extract, or espresso.
  • Fold in whipped cream to make diplomat cream for a lighter filling.
  • Dip tops in chocolate ganache for profiterole-style puffs.
  • Unfilled puffs can be frozen and crisped in the oven before filling.
  • Make custard a day ahead to save time.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookedbymaya.com/special-italian-cream-puffs-with-custard-filling/