🇮🇹 Special Italian Cream Puffs with Custard Filling
Introduction
Italian cream puffs are light, airy pastries made from Choux pastry and filled with silky Custard. These delicate treats, often called Zeppole or cream puffs, are popular in Italian bakeries and perfect for special occasions or dessert tables.
Ingredients
For the Choux Pastry
1 cup Water
½ cup Butter
1 cup All-purpose flour
4 large Egg
¼ teaspoon salt
For the Custard Filling
2 cups Milk
½ cup Granulated sugar
3 Egg yolk
3 tablespoons Cornstarch
1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
1 tablespoon Butter
For Topping
Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Make the Choux Pastry
In a saucepan, bring water, butter, and salt to a boil. Add flour all at once and stir quickly until the dough forms a ball and pulls away from the sides of the pan. - Add Eggs
Remove from heat and let the dough cool for 5 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition until the dough becomes smooth and glossy. - Shape the Puffs
Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F). Pipe or spoon small mounds of dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. - Bake
Bake for 20–25 minutes until puffed and golden. Let them cool completely. - Prepare the Custard
In a saucepan, heat milk until warm. In a bowl whisk egg yolks, sugar, and cornstarch until smooth. Slowly pour in the warm milk while whisking. - Thicken the Custard
Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until thick. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and butter. Let cool. - Fill the Cream Puffs
Cut each puff in half or poke a small hole underneath. Fill with the custard using a spoon or piping bag. - Finish
Dust with powdered sugar before serving.
Tips for Perfect Cream Puffs
Do not open the oven while baking or the puffs may collapse.
Make sure the custard is fully cooled before filling.
For extra flavor, mix whipped cream into the custard.
Nutritional Information (Approx. per puff)
Calories: 120
Carbohydrates: 14 g
Fat: 6 g
Protein: 3 g