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    Home » Recipes » Dream Puffs

    How to Make Cream Puffs

    Published by Melissa on January 31, 2023 | Updated February 1, 2023 | 53 Comments

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    Cream puffs look fancy and hard-to-make, but they're actually a super easy dessert to make with four ingredients! via @barbarabakesCream puffs look fancy and hard-to-make, but they're actually a super easy dessert to make with four ingredients! via @barbarabakesCream puffs look fancy and hard-to-make, but they're actually a super easy dessert to make with four ingredients! via @barbarabakesCream puffs look fancy and hard-to-make, but they're actually a super easy dessert to make with four ingredients! via @barbarabakes

    Easy Pate a Choux Recipe, Video and Step by Step Photos and Instructions

    Cream puffs look fancy and hard-to-make, but they’re actually a super easy dessert to make with only four ingredients you probably always have in your pantry.

    A photo collage of five different versions of cream puffs: s'mores, birthday cake, chocolate, churro, and graham

    Don’t be intimidated that they’re a French pastry. I’ve created a fun, short how to make cream puffs video that will show you just how easy they are to make.

    How to make Cream Puffs Video:

    Step by Step Instructions How To Make Cream Puffs

    Now that you’ve seen how easy it is, I’ll break it down for you step by step with photos and additional info. So let’s get started.

    Simple ingredients used to make cream puffs

    First, assemble all your ingredients. As soon as your water comes to a boil, you’re going to add the flour. So have it measured and ready to use. You’ll be surprised how quickly this dough comes together.

    If your eggs aren’t at room temperature, put them in a bowl of water to warm up while you’re making the dough. Your cream puffs will rise bigger if you use room temperature eggs.

    Step by Step Photo Collage of How to Make Cream Puffs

    Next, in a large saucepan, combine the water, butter, sugar, and salt, and bring it to a boil. Stirring the water frequently while it comes to a boil helps to melt the butter.

    Once the water boils, remove it from the heat and add the flour all at once. Stir it until all the flour is incorporated, about 1 minute. Return the saucepan to the heat and cook, stirring constantly until dough forms a smooth ball, only 1 or 2 minutes more.

    Step by Step photo collage of How to Make Cream Puffs

    The next step is adding the eggs to the dough you created on the stove. Let the dough cool for five minutes in the bowl of an electric mixer before you add the eggs.

    Add the eggs one at a time, beating until each egg is incorporated and the dough is smooth. Fit a pastry bag with a plain ⅝-inch tip, folding the top of the bag down to make filling easier. Fill the bag with dough.

    You don’t need to use a pastry bag to make cream puffs, you can just use an ice cream scoop or even two spoons to portion out the dough on a baking sheet.

    Collage of Step by Step Photos of How to Make Cream Puffs

    Here’s a link to the templates I created that you can print on your home computer. Using the templates helps to space out your cream puffs so that you can fit 16 on a sheet without them touching each other.

    Hold the bag vertically about 1 inch above the pan. Pipe the dough into tall cone shapes.  Dip a finger in some water and smooth out any peaks. Brush the dough with an egg wash if you want them to have a golden, shiny top.

    Then pop them in the oven and watch the magic happen as they puff up, turn golden brown, and create a hollow middle that’s just waiting to be filled.

    Step-by-Step-Collage-4-Barbara-Bake

    You can fill them simply with whipped cream and dust them with powdered sugar. Or let your imagination run wild and fill and top them however you’d like.

    12 cream puffs on cooling rack

    Cream puff recipes on Barbara Bakes:

    • Raspberry Cheesecake Cream Puffs –  filled with a no-bake raspberry cheesecake filling and drizzled with a tart triple berry icing.
    • Candy Corn Cream Puffs – a fun Halloween cream puff.
    • Churro Cream Puffs – A crisp cinnamon-sugar shell filled with a light and airy cinnamon whipped cream.
    • Gougeres – Savory Cream Puffs – cheesy savory cream puffs! A perfect side or stuff them with chicken salad

    If you’ve tried this cream puff recipe or any other recipe on Barbara Bakes, then don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave me a comment below! I would love to hear about your experience making it. And if you snapped some pictures of it, share it with me on Instagram so I can repost on my stories.

    filled cream puff with powdered sugar
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate this Recipe
    3.84 from 6 votes

    Cream Puff Shells – Pâte à Choux

    Cream puffs look fancy and hard-to-make, but they're actually a super easy dessert to make with four ingredients!
    Prep Time15 minutes mins
    Cook Time45 minutes mins
    Total Time1 hour hr
    Course: Baking Tips
    Keyword: baking, cream puff, pastry
    Servings: 16 cream puffs
    Calories: 72kcal
    Author: Melissa Griffiths
    Prevent your screen from going to sleep

    Ingredients

    • ¾ cup all-purpose flour
    • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter cut into 6 pieces
    • 1 teaspoon sugar
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • 3 large eggs room temperature
    • Egg Wash optional
    • 1 egg
    • 1 teaspoon water

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 425°. Lightly grease baking sheets or line with parchment paper. Measure flour and set aside.
    • Bring butter, sugar, salt, and ¾ cup water to a boil in a 3-qt. saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally. Immediately remove from heat, and quickly stir in flour mixture all at once. Return to heat and stir with a wooden spoon for 1 to 2 minutes, or until dough is smooth and forms a ball. Transfer dough to the bowl of an electric mixer, and let cool 5 minutes.
    • Add 3 eggs, 1 at a time, beating until mixture is smooth and glossy. Spoon dough into a pastry bag fitted with a ⅝-inch plain tip. Pipe dough onto prepared pans into 1 ½-inch rounds (1 ½ inches high). Smooth out peaks and round tops with a moistened finger.
    • Whisk together remaining 1 egg and 1 tsp. water. Brush tops of dough with egg mixture.
    • Bake at 425° for 5 minutes; reduce oven temperature to 375°, and bake 30 minutes or until puffy and golden brown. Turn oven off; let shells stand in closed oven 10 minutes. Remove from baking sheets to wire racks, and cool completely.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 72kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 42mg | Sodium: 49mg | Potassium: 19mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 0.4g | Vitamin A: 176IU | Vitamin C: 0.001mg | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 0.4mg

    Once you try it, you’ll realize just how easy it is to make cream puffs at home and they’ll be a family favorite! Enjoy from my kitchen to yours!

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    about us

    About Melissa & Barbara

    As of June 2022 Melissa Griffiths now is the one adding recipes. So think of it as Barbara Bakes, and Melissa too! Melissa and Barbara have been blogging friends for over 10 years and when Barbara was ready to retire and spend more time with her family, Melissa took over the site. Read more...

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      Recipe Rating




    1. mia

      December 10, 2015 at 9:32 am

      i love cream puffs but have never made them. has anyone had success making these with gluten free flour?

      Reply
      • Barbara Schieving

        December 10, 2015 at 9:41 am

        Hi Mia – yes, you can make them with gluten free flour. There’s a recipe for it in my eBook, Simply Sweet Dream Puffs.

        Reply
    2. Rosemary

      October 22, 2015 at 10:40 am

      i sure will try those love baking and cooking thanks for the recipe.

      Reply
    3. Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy

      October 18, 2015 at 8:56 am

      Just watched your cream puff video…awesome. Have made them a few times…the video will inspire others to give it a try if they have never made this wonderful little gems!!

      Reply
    4. Jennie B

      October 02, 2015 at 6:48 pm

      Thanks for making the video of you making the Cream Puffs, because you made it look so easy for me to do. I’m going to try and buy your book when it comes out in Paperback.

      Reply
      • Barbara Schieving

        October 02, 2015 at 8:28 pm

        Thanks Jennie! At this point a print edition is not in the works. However, e-books are a wonderful, less expensive way to buy cookbooks. You can read then on any computer, device or phone with the Kindle app, which is a simple download https://www.amazon.com/gp/digital/fiona/kcp-landing-page?ie=UTF8&ref_=kcp_pc_mkt_lnd.

        Reply
      • Barbara Schieving

        October 02, 2015 at 8:28 pm

        Thanks Jennie! At this point a print edition is not in the works. However, e-books are a wonderful, less expensive way to buy cookbooks. You can read then on any computer, device or phone with the Kindle app, which is a simple download https://www.amazon.com/gp/digital/fiona/kcp-landing-page?ie=UTF8&ref_=kcp_pc_mkt_lnd.

        Reply
    5. Raymond O'Rourke

      October 02, 2015 at 5:42 pm

      My Goodness! Your free recipe for Pate a Choux and filling for Cream Puffs was terrific!! I made them immediately and they are incredible – and sooooo easy! I’ll certainly be ordering your book. Thank you – thank you!

      Reply
      • Barbara Schieving

        October 02, 2015 at 6:08 pm

        Thanks so much Raymond! I’m so excited that you loved the recipe and thought they were sooooo easy to make too. I’m sure you’re going to love the other recipes in the cookbook too.

        Reply
    6. Rocky Mountain Woman

      October 01, 2015 at 11:14 am

      I am so excited about your book! Can’t wait to see it. Congratulations!!!!!

      Reply
    7. Katherines Corner

      October 01, 2015 at 7:43 am

      Squeal!!! This is one of my favorite Things. Loved the how to video too. Hugs!

      Reply
    8. Lana | Never Enough Thyme

      September 30, 2015 at 9:06 am

      Puff pastry is one of those things that has been on my recipe bucket list for ages and I still have never tried it! I’m gonna take the plunge and get it done. Congratulations on your beautiful cookbook, Barbara!

      Reply
    9. Brenda @ a farmgirl's dabbles

      September 29, 2015 at 6:59 am

      My family goes crazy for cream puffs, I can’t wait to look through your book with them – and then make some, of course! Huge congrats on your beautiful book!

      Reply
    10. TidyMom

      September 29, 2015 at 4:46 am

      You make it look so easy Barb!! Congrats on the book!!

      Reply
    11. Emily

      September 28, 2015 at 11:59 pm

      Okay, maybe I will finally try making them. I am so super happy for you and your new cookbook. It is so lovely and I hope it becomes a bestseller!

      Reply
    12. My Inner Chick

      September 28, 2015 at 7:40 pm

      GOooooooooooooRGEOUS.
      I’m going to watch the video now!!!!!

      Reply
    13. Liz

      September 28, 2015 at 2:01 pm

      Thanks for all your tips! I cannot wait to bake up some of your fabulous recipes!!!

      Reply
      • Barbara Schieving

        September 28, 2015 at 4:39 pm

        Thanks Liz! Can’t wait for you to try them.

        Reply
    14. Joyce

      September 28, 2015 at 1:53 pm

      Looks fabulously easy – and you certainly do it all fast enough ( loved the speeded up video) Can’t wait to try them. Any tips about storage? Preparing ahead of time ? Or will they get soggy. I think that’s the mistake I’ve made in the past.
      Many thanks!

      Reply
      • Barbara Schieving

        September 28, 2015 at 4:37 pm

        Thanks Joyce! Ideally you’ll use the shells the same day you bake them. If you’d rather bake them ahead, they freeze very well. They thaw quickly and you can even put them in the oven for a few minutes to crisp up. Only fill as many as you think you’ll eat in a day or two, and freeze the remaining shells.

        You can even make and pipe the dough on the sheets, freeze the dough and peel them off the parchment paper, then bake them from frozen. It works great if you’re baking a large amount for a party and don’t have the freezer space to freeze them after they’re baked.

        Reply
    15. Anne

      September 28, 2015 at 12:27 pm

      love the vidio

      Reply
      • Barbara Schieving

        September 28, 2015 at 4:38 pm

        Thanks Anne!

        Reply
    16. Denise

      September 28, 2015 at 11:28 am

      Congrats Barbara! This is wonderful news and it looks gorgeous!

      Reply
      • Barbara Schieving

        September 28, 2015 at 4:42 pm

        Thanks so much Denise! It was such a fun project.

        Reply
    17. Jane Maynard

      September 28, 2015 at 10:11 am

      excited for your ebook – looks wonderful, barbara! maybe I”ll actually give cream puffs a try, my 7-yo was asking all about them the other day! 🙂

      Reply
      • Barbara Schieving

        September 28, 2015 at 4:43 pm

        Thanks Jane! You definitely need to make your 7yo some cream puffs 🙂

        Reply
    18. Rachel @ Simple Seasonal

      September 28, 2015 at 9:23 am

      I’m so happy you posted this. I was just thinking the other day, “how do they get the cream into the cream puffs?”… you know, one of life’s important questions 🙂

      Reply
    19. Carol

      September 28, 2015 at 7:56 am

      Ohhhhh look at all those lovelies….they could all potentially get me in a whole heap o’ trouble-which to try first??? What a great video…..you always make everything in the kitchen look so easy. I love the idea of using a parchment paper template to make them all the same size too…that’s one of those why-didn’t-I-think-of-that? moments for sure. I usually use one of my cookie scoops…..next time, pastry bag it is.

      All of those photos of your sweet creations look amazing, Barbara. I’m SO SO happy for you with this beautiful cookbook. I KNOW it’s going to be a HUGE success….after all, who doesn’t love cream puffs?

      Hugs!

      Carol

      Reply
    20. Rosa

      September 27, 2015 at 12:02 pm

      They look amazing! Cream puffs are divine.

      Cheers,

      Rosa

      Reply
      • Barbara Schieving

        September 27, 2015 at 6:04 pm

        Thanks Rosa! Cream puffs really are light as air, heavenly delicious.

        Reply
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