Legendary Mom’s Cream Puffs Recipe Everyone Will Adore

Sweet memories of childhood swirl around these delightful cream puffs that have been passed down through generations.

Mom’s famous cream puffs recipe captures the essence of homemade comfort and pure joy.

Golden pastry shells emerge from the oven, light as clouds and perfectly crisp.

The delicate choux pastry whispers of culinary magic waiting to happen.

Creamy, luscious filling nestles inside each tender puff, creating a dessert that melts in your mouth.

Light, airy, and absolutely irresistible, these cream puffs promise to become your new favorite sweet indulgence.

Dive into this treasured family recipe and create a moment of pure deliciousness.

Everything That Goes Into MOMS FAMOUS CREAM PUFFS

• Water: The liquid foundation that helps create steam and rise in the pastry.
• Butter: Adds rich flavor and creates a tender, flaky texture.
• Sugar: Provides subtle sweetness and helps with golden browning.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor with warm, aromatic notes.
• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and helps create the classic puff shape.

• Heavy Whipping Cream: Creates light, airy texture with luxurious mouthfeel.
• Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix: Adds smooth consistency and classic vanilla flavor.
• Milk: Helps bind ingredients and creates a silky filling.

• Eggs: Bind ingredients and provide structure to the pastry.
• Powdered Sugar: Optional elegant dusting for visual appeal and light sweetness.

Tools To Help Craft MOMS FAMOUS CREAM PUFFS Perfectly

• Medium saucepan: Essential for cooking the choux pastry base.
• Wooden spoon: Perfect for stirring the dough mixture until it forms a smooth ball.
• Baking sheet: Used to create and bake the pastry puffs.
• Parchment paper: Prevents sticking and ensures easy pastry removal.
• Piping bag or two spoons: Helps create uniform pastry mounds.
• Large mixing bowl: Needed for preparing the cream filling.
• Electric mixer or whisk: Crucial for beating the cream to stiff peaks.
• Wire cooling rack: Allows pastry shells to cool evenly and prevent sogginess.
• Sharp knife: Used to slice pastry shells in half for filling.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient quantities.

Step-By-Step Guide To MOMS FAMOUS CREAM PUFFS

• Pastry Foundation

Create a delicate base by combining water, butter, vanilla, and sugar in a saucepan. Heat until boiling, then swiftly mix in flour until a smooth ball forms. Let the mixture cool slightly before introducing eggs one by one, whisking until the dough becomes glossy and irresistible.

• Baking Magic

Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper. Carefully drop dollops of dough, giving each puff room to expand. Slide into a hot oven, first at high temperature to create dramatic puffiness, then lower the heat to ensure a perfect golden-brown exterior. Listen for the sizzle and watch for beautiful rising mounds.

• Dreamy Cream Filling

Whip together cream, pudding mix, and milk until the mixture becomes cloud-like and holds its shape. The key is achieving a luxurious, pillowy texture that will make taste buds dance with joy.

• Elegant Assembly

Once pastry shells have cooled completely, gently slice them open. Lavish the bottom half with the luscious cream filling, then crown with the top half. For a final touch of elegance, dust with a delicate snowfall of powdered sugar.

Creative Filling Ideas For MOMS FAMOUS CREAM PUFFS

• Smart Egg Technique: Ensure eggs are at room temperature before adding to the choux pastry. Cold eggs can cause the dough to separate and become lumpy, affecting the puffs' smooth texture.
• Humidity-Proof Baking: Create crispy, sturdy shells by making a small steam-release slit immediately after baking. This prevents moisture buildup and maintains the pastry's delicate crunch.
• Filling Flavor Boosters: Experiment with different pudding mix flavors like chocolate, banana, or cheesecake to transform the classic cream puff. Swap instant pudding with homemade pastry cream for a more luxurious filling.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Replace regular flour with a gluten-free blend containing xanthan gum to maintain the choux pastry's structure. Use cornstarch-based pudding mix for a celiac-friendly version that doesn't compromise taste or texture.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare pastry shells up to 2 days in advance and store in an airtight container. Fill just before serving to prevent sogginess. Freeze unfilled shells for up to 1 month for convenient entertaining.

Ways To Serve MOMS FAMOUS CREAM PUFFS Fresh

• Sweet Dessert Companion: Serve these cream puffs alongside a steaming cup of French press coffee or delicate herbal tea for a sophisticated flavor combination.
• Elegant Party Platter: Arrange cream puffs beautifully on a white ceramic platter, alternating with fresh berries and mint leaves for a stunning visual presentation that will impress guests.
• Seasonal Celebration Twist: During summer, pair these cream puffs with a scoop of homemade vanilla bean ice cream or fresh seasonal fruits like strawberries and peaches to enhance the dessert's richness and provide a refreshing contrast.
• Decadent Chocolate Drizzle: Create an extra indulgent experience by lightly drizzling melted dark chocolate over the powdered sugar-dusted cream puffs, adding depth and complexity to the delicate pastry.

Storage Tips For MOMS FAMOUS CREAM PUFFS

• Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store cream puffs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, keeping them fresh and maintaining their delicate texture.
• Smart Filling Separation: Keep unfilled choux pastry shells at room temperature in a sealed container for 1-2 days to prevent moisture buildup and preserve their crispy exterior.
• Freezing Magic: Freeze unassembled cream puff shells for up to one month. Wrap individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag to prevent freezer burn and maintain quality.
• Make-Ahead Brilliance: Prepare pastry shells and cream filling separately up to 24 hours in advance. Keep shells in a cool, dry place and refrigerate filling, assembling just before serving to ensure maximum freshness and optimal taste.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 250 kcal

Servings: 11

Heavenly Cream Puffs Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 30 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 11 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Creamy and delicate, mom’s famous cream puffs recipe brings French pastry magic to family gatherings. Delightful choux pastry shells filled with rich vanilla custard promise sweet memories and delectable moments you’ll cherish.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup (236 milliliters) water
• 8 tbsps (1 stick/113 grams) unsalted butter
• 1 pint (473 milliliters) heavy whipping cream
• ⅓ cup (79 milliliters) whole milk
• 1 package (3.4 oz/96 grams) instant vanilla pudding mix
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp granulated sugar

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Pastry Base Creation: Meld water, butter, vanilla extract, and sugar in a saucepan. Bring to a rolling boil, then swiftly incorporate flour, stirring vigorously until a unified dough ball emerges, cleanly separating from the pan’s sides.
2. Egg Integration: Allow dough to cool slightly, then methodically blend eggs one at a time, whisking thoroughly to achieve a silky, structural batter that maintains its shape with elegant precision.
3. Preparation and Baking: Ignite the oven to 400F (200C) and arrange a parchment-lined baking sheet. Artfully pipe or spoon pastry mounds, ensuring ample spacing between each dollop. Commence baking at 400F for 15 minutes, then reduce temperature to 350F, continuing until shells transform into golden, airy clouds with crisp, delicate exteriors.
4. Shell Refinement: Immediately post-baking, create a subtle steam-release incision on each puff’s side to prevent moisture buildup. Transfer delicate shells to a wire rack for complete cooling and structural stabilization.
5. Filling Development: Whisk heavy whipping cream, instant vanilla pudding mix, and milk until the mixture achieves a luxurious, stiff-peaked consistency that promises decadent creaminess.
6. Assembly Technique: Once shells cool completely, slice horizontally to create distinct top and bottom sections. Lavishly spread or pipe the creamy filling onto bottom halves, then tenderly replace top sections to complete these elegant cream puffs.
7. Finishing Touch: Optionally, dust the assembled delicacies with a whisper-light layer of powdered sugar, adding a final note of sweetness and visual sophistication.

Notes

• Prevent Soggy Shells: Pierce small steam-release holes immediately after baking to avoid moisture buildup and maintain crisp pastry texture.
• Master Egg Incorporation: Add eggs gradually, mixing thoroughly after each addition to ensure smooth, glossy choux pastry without curdling.
• Temperature Control is Key: Start baking at high heat for initial puffing, then reduce temperature to achieve golden, crisp exterior without burning.
• Filling Consistency Matters: Whip cream mixture until stiff peaks form to guarantee a luxurious, structured filling that holds its shape inside delicate pastry shells.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 11
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 90 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg