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–+ servings
Cream Puffs
Cream Puffs are delicate pastry shells filled with creamy, sweet fillings and are a classic dessert favorite. This vintage version, handwritten and well-loved, uses a simple pâte à choux dough, baked until golden and hollow inside. Often served with flavored puddings, whipped cream, or drizzled sauces, these puffs are perfect for gatherings and special occasions. This particular recipe carries a nostalgic touch with a note about serving them with pistachio pudding and chocolate sauce, an unforgettable combination of flavors and textures.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Course Baked Goods, Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12 puffs
Calories 129 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup water
  • 1 stick margarine ( or butter)
  • 1 cup flour
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 pkg pistachio pudding (or your choice of pudding)

Optional:

  • whipped cream
  • powdered sugar
  • chocolate sauce

Instructions
 

Step 1: Boil & Melt

  • In a saucepan, bring 1 cup of water and 1 stick of margarine to a boil until melted.
  • Remove from heat.

Step 2: Add Flour

  • Add 1 cup of flour.
  • Beat until mixture pulls away from the sides and forms a dough.

Step 3: Add Eggs

  • Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition until the dough becomes sticky.

Step 4: Shape Puffs

  • Spoon dough onto a greased or parchment-lined cookie sheet.
  • Make 12 mounds, each about a rounded tablespoon.
  • Step 5: Bake
  • Bake at 400°F for 15 minutes, then reduce to 350°F and bake for an additional 30 minutes.
  • Do not open the oven door during baking.

Step 6: Fill and Serve

  • Cool puffs.
  • Cut open and fill with pistachio pudding or your preferred filling.
  • Top with whipped cream, powdered sugar, or chocolate sauce if desired.

Tips

  • Fill with pistachio pudding as suggested on the card for a nostalgic flavor.
  • Add whipped cream on top before sprinkling powdered sugar.
  • Drizzle chocolate sauce for a richer dessert presentation.
  • Make mini cream puffs by dropping teaspoon-sized mounds and reducing bake time slightly.
  • Use pastry cream, lemon curd, or chocolate mousse as fillings.
  • Pierce each puff after baking to release steam and prevent sogginess.
  • Add a tiny pinch of salt to the dough to brighten flavor.
  • For savory puffs, fill with chicken salad, herbed cream cheese, or smoked salmon mousse.
  • Freeze unfilled puffs in airtight bags; re-crisp in the oven before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 129kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 3gFat: 9.4gSaturated Fat: 4.4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.4gMonounsaturated Fat: 2.3gTrans Fat: 0.28gCholesterol: 62mgSodium: 30mgPotassium: 29mgFiber: 0.3gSugar: 0.2gVitamin A: 325IUCalcium: 12mgIron: 0.7mg
Keyword choux pastry, cream puffs, family recipes, heirloom recipe, Midwestern baking, nostalgic desserts, potluck dessert, vintage recipe
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