### Mom’s Famous Cream Puffs Recipe
These **Mom’s Famous Cream Puffs** are an absolute classic, featuring light, airy choux pastry shells filled with a luscious, creamy vanilla filling. Perfect for parties, celebrations, or just a sweet treat, these cream puffs will be a hit with anyone who tries them. Follow this simple recipe to create your own irresistible cream puffs at home!
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### **Ingredients:**
**For the Cream Puffs:**
– 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter
– 1 cup water
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– 1 cup all-purpose flour
– 4 large eggs
**For Mom’s Famous Filling:**
– 1 pint heavy cream
– 1 package (3.4 ounces) instant vanilla pudding mix
– 1/3 cup milk
**For Topping (Optional):**
– Powdered sugar (for dusting)
– Melted chocolate (for drizzling)
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### **Instructions:**
#### **Step 1: Prepare the Choux Pastry**
1. **Boil the Wet Ingredients**: In a medium-sized saucepan, combine 1 stick of butter, 1 cup of water, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, ensuring the butter melts completely.
2. **Add the Flour**: Once the mixture reaches a rolling boil, add 1 cup of flour all at once. Stir vigorously using a wooden spoon or spatula until the dough comes together and pulls away from the sides of the pot, forming a smooth ball. This will happen quickly.
3. **Cool the Dough**: Remove the saucepan from heat and let the dough cool for 5-10 minutes. This step is important to prevent the eggs from cooking when added.
4. **Add the Eggs**: Beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. Continue beating until the dough becomes smooth, shiny, and sticky. The dough should be thick but pipeable or spoonable.
#### **Step 2: Shape and Bake the Cream Puffs**
1. **Preheat the Oven**: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. **Drop the Dough**: Using a tablespoon or piping bag, drop mounds of dough onto the prepared baking sheets. You should have about 8 large mounds for generously sized cream puffs. Space them about 2 inches apart to allow for expansion during baking.
3. **Bake**: Bake the cream puffs for about 40 minutes, or until they are puffed, golden brown, and firm to the touch.
4. **Prevent Deflation**: When done, remove the baking sheets from the oven and use a toothpick to poke a small hole in each cream puff to release steam. Return the cream puffs to the oven with the oven turned off and the door slightly cracked open to cool slowly for about 10-15 minutes. This helps them stay puffy and prevents deflation.
#### **Step 3: Make Mom’s Famous Filling**
1. **Prepare the Filling**: In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 pint of heavy cream, 1 package of instant vanilla pudding mix, and 1/3 cup of milk.
2. **Beat Until Thick**: Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat the mixture on medium-high speed until it thickens and holds soft peaks. This should take about 2-3 minutes.
#### **Step 4: Fill the Cream Puffs**
1. **Slice the Cream Puffs**: Once the cream puffs have completely cooled, use a serrated knife to slice them in half horizontally.
2. **Add the Filling**: Using a piping bag or a spoon, fill the bottom half of each cream puff generously with the vanilla cream filling. Place the top half back on.
3. **Optional Toppings**: Dust the tops with powdered sugar for a classic look, or drizzle with melted chocolate for an extra indulgent touch.
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### **Pro Tips:**
– **Poking Holes**: Poking the cream puffs with a toothpick after baking releases steam and helps them hold their shape, preventing them from deflating.
– **Chill the Filling**: For a firmer texture, refrigerate the filled cream puffs for at least 30 minutes before serving.
– **Flavor Variations**: Feel free to switch up the filling by using chocolate pudding or adding a splash of coffee or almond extract to the filling for different flavors.
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### **Serving Suggestions:**
– Serve these cream puffs as a show-stopping dessert at gatherings or special events.
– For a fancier presentation, drizzle with both chocolate and caramel sauce, or top with fresh berries.
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These **Mom’s Famous Cream Puffs** are light, creamy, and simply irresistible. Once you try them, they’ll surely become a favorite in your home. Enjoy! ❤️