Famous Cream Puffs – Light, Airy, and Irresistibly Delicious

Delicate, golden pastry shells filled with luscious, creamy filling—these Famous Cream Puffs are the ultimate indulgence. With their crisp exterior and pillowy soft center, they look elegant yet are surprisingly simple to make at home. Perfect for parties, holidays, or any occasion where you want to impress, these little delights prove that classic desserts never go out of style.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Light & Airy Pastry: Crisp outside, hollow inside—perfect for filling.
Creamy Center: A rich vanilla filling balances the delicate pastry.
Surprisingly Simple: Made with basic pantry ingredients.
Elegant Dessert: Perfect for special occasions or everyday indulgence.

Ingredients

For the Pastry (Choux Dough):

• 1 cup water
• ½ cup unsalted butter
• 1 tbsp granulated sugar
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 4 large eggs

For the Filling:

• 2 cups cold milk
• 1 (3.4 oz) package instant vanilla pudding mix
• 1 cup whipped topping or whipped cream
• Powdered sugar, for dusting

Instructions

1. Make the Pastry Dough
In a medium saucepan, combine water, butter, sugar, and salt. Bring to a boil. Add flour all at once, stirring vigorously until the mixture forms a ball and pulls away from the sides. Remove from heat.

2. Add the Eggs
Let mixture cool for 5 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition until dough is smooth and glossy.

3. Bake the Shells
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Drop dough by heaping tablespoons onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing about 2 inches apart. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until golden brown and puffed. Do not open oven during baking. Cool completely.

4. Prepare the Filling
In a bowl, whisk milk and pudding mix until thickened. Fold in whipped topping to make a light, creamy filling.

5. Assemble the Cream Puffs
Slice cooled puffs in half horizontally. Spoon or pipe filling into the bottom half, then replace the tops. Dust with powdered sugar.

6. Serve & Enjoy
Best enjoyed the same day for maximum freshness and texture.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 140
Carbohydrates: 14g
Fat: 8g
Protein: 3g
Fiber: 0g

Tips for Success

• Don’t Open the Oven: Opening too soon can deflate the puffs.
• Hollow Shells: If needed, poke a small hole in each puff after baking to release steam and keep the insides dry.
• Chill the Filling: Cold filling makes assembling easier and keeps puffs fresh.
• Flavor Twist: Try chocolate pudding or add a drizzle of melted chocolate for a decadent finish.

Why This Recipe Works

The classic choux pastry technique creates perfectly puffed, hollow shells that are just waiting to be filled. The simple cream filling strikes the right balance between sweet and light, making each bite irresistible.

Famous Cream Puffs are a timeless dessert that combines elegance with simplicity. Whether you’re making them for a celebration, a family gathering, or just to satisfy a sweet craving, they’ll always leave an impression. Crisp, airy, and filled with dreamy cream, they truly are little bites of heaven.