If you’ve ever dreamed of baking something that looks absolutely stunning yet feels like a treat from a charming Parisian bakery, the Easiest Cream Puffs are your new go-to recipe. Delightfully light choux shells, filled with clouds of lightly sweetened whipped cream, make these little pastries pure joy in every bite. They’re surprisingly simple too—a foolproof way to make any gathering feel a bit more special. Whether you’re serving them at a party, enjoying one with coffee, or treating yourself just because, these beauties never last long. Once you try your hand at the Easiest Cream Puffs, you’ll wonder why you didn’t start baking them sooner!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Easiest Cream Puffs is that they rely on a handful of honest, everyday ingredients—each playing a vital role in creating that magical contrast of crisp shell and pillowy filling. Don’t let the short list fool you: every ingredient here matters for taste, texture, and that irresistible finished look.
- Unsalted butter: Adds richness to the dough and keeps the flavor perfectly balanced.
- Water: Helps create steam in the oven, which is what makes these puffs light and airy.
- Salt: Just a pinch to deepen all the flavors and keep the pastry from tasting flat.
- All-purpose flour: The classic base for sturdy, golden choux shells.
- Large eggs: The real magic makers—eggs give both lift and luscious color.
- Heavy whipping cream: Whipped to billowy peaks for the most luxurious filling.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens and stabilizes the cream, plus makes a beautiful, snowy garnish if you like.
- Vanilla extract: Rounds out the whipped cream with warm flavor notes.
- Optional powdered sugar for dusting: Adds that final bakery-style flair.
How to Make Easiest Cream Puffs
Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Sheet
Begin by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup and perfectly shaped puffs that won’t stick. Taking a minute to set up now really streamlines the process—you want to be ready as soon as the dough comes together!
Step 2: Make the Choux Pastry
In a medium saucepan, combine the unsalted butter, water, and salt. Bring everything to a rolling boil over medium heat. As soon as it’s bubbling, add all the flour in one go, and get stirring vigorously with a wooden spoon—the dough will begin to come together, pulling away from the pan walls and forming a smooth ball. This is the signature start for Easiest Cream Puffs and ensures they puff up beautifully in the oven.
Step 3: Cool and Add the Eggs
Take your pan off the heat and let the dough cool for about 5 minutes. This quick pause ensures you won’t scramble the eggs. Next, add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, until your dough becomes smooth, silky, and glossy—this glossy sheen is your cue it’s ready for shaping.
Step 4: Shape the Puffs
Using a spoon or a piping bag, portion rounded tablespoons of dough onto your prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches between each. Perfection isn’t required—the oven’s magic will give you those picturesque puffs every time!
Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection
Slide the tray into your hot oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes. You’re looking for the puffs to be beautifully golden and well-risen. Don’t open the oven early; let that crucial steam do its thing. Once baked, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 6: Whip the Dreamy Cream Filling
In a chilled bowl, blend the heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until you’ve got stiff peaks—think soft clouds that hold their shape. The filling is what makes Easiest Cream Puffs so irresistibly decadent.
Step 7: Fill and Finish
Once the puffs are completely cool, slice them in half horizontally. Spoon or pipe generous swirls of whipped cream onto the base, then cap with the top. For that classic cream puff look, dust lightly with powdered sugar right before serving. Voila!
How to Serve Easiest Cream Puffs
Garnishes
A simple sprinkle of powdered sugar is classic and elegant, transforming these pastries into something straight out of a patisserie window. You can also drizzle with a bit of melted chocolate for extra flair, or add a few berries on the side for a burst of fresh color.
Side Dishes
Keep things light and celebratory! Pair your Easiest Cream Puffs with a bowl of fresh fruit salad or serve alongside a cup of rich coffee or tea. For dessert spreads, they look stunning next to macarons or chocolate-dipped strawberries.
Creative Ways to Present
Pile your cream puffs high on a cake stand for a show-stopping centerpiece. Or, arrange them in a circle for a “cream puff wreath” perfect at the holidays. Miniature versions make delightful finger food at brunches and baby showers—there’s just something about a tower of Easiest Cream Puffs that brings out everyone’s inner child!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any cream puffs left over (lucky!), store the unfilled shells in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. Filled puffs should be kept in the refrigerator and enjoyed within a day for the best texture.
Freezing
Unfilled choux shells freeze beautifully! Once completely cooled, arrange them in a single layer and freeze until firm, then transfer to a zip-top bag. They’ll keep for up to a month. Thaw at room temperature when you’re ready for another batch of Easiest Cream Puffs.
Reheating
To crisp up stored or thawed shells, pop them into a 300°F (150°C) oven for 5 to 8 minutes. This brings back their signature crunch—just let them cool before filling with cream so you don’t wilt the lovely whipped center.
FAQs
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
It’s best to bake the dough right after preparing it for optimal puffing. However, you can bake the shells and store them, then fill just before serving for fresh Easiest Cream Puffs every time.
What if I don’t have a piping bag?
No problem! Just use two spoons to drop the dough onto your baking sheet. They won’t be perfectly uniform, but the taste and texture will be absolutely spot-on.
How do I know when the cream puffs are fully baked?
They’ll be deeply golden and noticeably dry and crisp on the outside. If underbaked, they may collapse as they cool, so it’s better to err on the side of an extra minute or two in the oven.
Can I fill these with something other than whipped cream?
Absolutely! Try pastry cream, chocolate mousse, or even sweetened ricotta. The Easiest Cream Puffs are a perfect canvas for all sorts of sweet creativity.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes, just make sure not to overcrowd your baking sheet so the puffs have space to expand. For large gatherings, multiple batches of Easiest Cream Puffs are always a hit!
Final Thoughts
I hope you give these Easiest Cream Puffs a whirl soon—they capture all the delight of classic French baking, but with a simplicity anyone can master. There’s nothing quite like seeing your own homemade cream puffs puff up golden in the oven, then sharing them around the table. Enjoy every bite, and happy baking!
Print
Easiest Cream Puffs Recipe
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 cream puffs 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Learn how to make the easiest cream puffs with a light and airy choux pastry filled with a luscious whipped cream. A classic and delightful French dessert that is sure to impress!
Ingredients
For the cream puffs:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup water
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 large eggs
For the filling:
- 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional: powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare baking sheet: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Prepare choux pastry: In a medium saucepan, combine butter, water, and salt. Bring to a boil, then add flour. Stir until a ball forms. Remove from heat and cool. Beat in eggs one at a time until smooth.
- Bake the puffs: Drop spoonfuls of dough onto the baking sheet and bake for 20–25 minutes until golden.
- Make the filling: Whip cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla until stiff peaks form.
- Fill the puffs: Slice puffs, fill with whipped cream, and dust with powdered sugar.
- Serve: Enjoy your delightful cream puffs!
Notes
- Unfilled puffs can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days or frozen.
- Fill just before serving to keep them crisp.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cream puff
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 60 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 13 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg
