🕒 Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes | 🍽 Yield: ~12 cream puffs

Light, crisp choux pastry filled with silky vanilla cream and dusted with powdered sugar—an elegant dessert for any occasion!

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Ingredients

For the Choux Pastry:

• 1 cup water
• ½ cup unsalted butter
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 4 large eggs

For the Vanilla Cream Filling:

• 2 cups whole milk
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup cornstarch
• Pinch of salt
• 4 large egg yolks
• 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

For Assembling:

• Powdered sugar (for dusting)

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Instructions

Step 1: Make the Choux Pastry

1️⃣ In a medium saucepan, combine water, butter, and salt over medium heat. Bring to a boil.
2️⃣ Add the flour all at once, stirring vigorously until the dough pulls away from the sides.
3️⃣ Remove from heat and let cool for 5–7 minutes (so the eggs don’t scramble).

Step 2: Add the Eggs

1️⃣ Beat in one egg at a time, mixing well after each until the dough is smooth and glossy.

Step 3: Pipe & Bake

1️⃣ Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2️⃣ Using a piping bag (or spoon), pipe 2-inch rounds onto the sheet.
3️⃣ Bake for 10 minutes at 425°F, then reduce heat to 350°F (175°C) and bake for 20-25 minutes until golden and puffed.
4️⃣ Let cool completely before filling.

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Step 4: Make the Vanilla Cream Filling

1️⃣ Heat milk in a saucepan over medium heat until warm but not boiling.
2️⃣ In a separate bowl, whisk together sugar, cornstarch, salt, and egg yolks.
3️⃣ Gradually pour the warm milk into the egg mixture, whisking constantly.
4️⃣ Return to the saucepan and cook over medium heat until thickened (2-3 minutes).
5️⃣ Remove from heat, stir in vanilla extract and butter, and let cool. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

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Step 5: Assemble the Cream Puffs

1️⃣ Slice each puff in half or poke a hole in the bottom.
2️⃣ Fill a piping bag with chilled pastry cream and pipe into each puff.
3️⃣ Dust with powdered sugar for the final touch.

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Pro Tips for Perfect Cream Puffs

✅ Let the choux dough cool slightly before adding eggs to prevent scrambling.
✅ Bake at high heat first, then lower the temperature—this helps them puff up properly.
✅ Don’t open the oven door too soon! This can cause deflation.
✅ Make ahead: Store unfilled puffs for 1-2 days in an airtight container or freeze for longer.

🥄 Best served fresh, but they keep in the fridge for up to 24 hours once filled!

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