Cream puffs

Posted by ashleyfnx (663 days ago)

Hi I tried making cream puffs using the recipe below.

1/2 cup butter
1 cup water
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup all-purpose flour
4 eggs

DIRECTIONS
Mix together vanilla instant pudding mix, cream and milk. Cover and refrigerate to set.
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
In a large pot, bring water and butter to a rolling boil. Stir in flour and salt until the mixture forms a ball. Transfer the dough to a large mixing bowl. Using a wooden spoon or stand mixer, beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto an ungreased baking sheet.

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes in the preheated oven, until golden brown. Centers should be dry.
When the shells are cool, either split and fill them with the pudding mixture, or use a pastry bag to pipe the pudding into the shells



But the puffs were pretty soft in texture. Any recommendations on how to change the ingredients or baking method to get a crispier puff? I am just starting to learn about baking, so I am still unclear on what effects that changing each ingredient can bring about. Thanks!

(I am based in Guangzhou)

Find what you are after in our Manila A-Z Directory

Posted by dss (663 days ago)

I tried 3 recipes over the last week and found that the Agnes Chang's choux pastry recipe works for me. The rest went into the dustbin.

Ingredients:- 300ml water, 120 gms butter,1/8 tsp salt , 150 gms plain flour (sifted 2x), 2 tsp baking powder, 4 eggs.
Method:- Put water, butter and salt in small pot and bring to boil. Remove from heat and fold in/mix lightly the flour by using the wooden spoon, not the mixer. Stir and cook in low heat till it leaves the sides of the pot and form a soft dough. Leave to cool. ( this is impt!)
Preheat oven at 210C.
Add egg one at a time and beat well and smooth (I used the wooden spoon ) Lastly add in the 2 tsp of baking powder and mix well.
Lightly flour a baking sheet. Spoon 1 or 1.5 Tablespoons of the above mixt on a baking sheet, peaking it at the top.
They need to be 3" apart to segregate the puffs. Bake in preheated oven of 210C for about 20 mins till lightly brown.
The puff shell is crispy outside and hollow inside.

(I am based in Unspecified)

Posted by ashleyfnx (663 days ago)

hi hi thanks for advise! I am going to try out your recipe. I didnt know i can add baking powder.. I also didnt let my dough cool down before i added the eggs. thanks for ur advise!

(I am based in Guangzhou)

Posted by dss (663 days ago)

I forgot 1 ingredient(optional)
Add 1 tsp of vanilla essence when folding in the flour.
Try out and let me know how it turns out. I touch the dough and once it feel slightly warm, not necessary "cold" I added in the eggs.

(I am based in Unspecified)

Posted by dss (663 days ago)

If oven doesn't have preheat indicator, then estimate 10 mins preheating at 210C. I used my microwave convection bake, which gives a beeping sound once preheating completed.

(I am based in Unspecified)

Posted by gazmo28 (663 days ago)

the most important thing when making puffs is when you add the flour to the wet mixture leave the heat on and you have to mix very hard for at least two to three minutes.but very important leave the heat on.
to be honest you dont need baking powder at all and you can add the eggs to the hot mixture trust me i have made this mixture thousands of times im a pastry chef.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by dss (663 days ago)

How about sharing your recipe so that we have another ? The one that I posted came from a book by Agnes Chang but it did turn out well as compared to 2 other recipes. Thks

(I am based in Unspecified)

Posted by gazmo28 (663 days ago)

ok

250 ml water
250 ml milk
300 g butter
500g flour
500 ml eggs

bring water,milk and butter to boil
add flour and mix hard while still on heat for at least 2to3 mins
transfer to mixing bowl and add eggs a little at a time untill all added

pipe and bake at 200c for 15 to 20 mins depending on size

good luck let me know how they go!

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by ashleyfnx (662 days ago)

Hi hi ok I will go try out these recipes and update u guys! I am glad to have different recipes to try out.

(I am based in Guangzhou)