Cream Puffs
- 1 cup water, plus more as needed
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon table salt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 to 5 large eggs
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon water
- Sunflower or other neutral-tasting oil, for plastic wrap
- 1/3 cup heavy cream
- 1 recipe Pastry Cream (page 476)
- Confectioners sugar (optional)
- Berry Glaze (optional; recipe follows) or Chocolate Glaze (optional; recipe follows)
- 1 1/2 cups sifted confectioners sugar
- 2 tablespoons strained raspberry or other red preserves
- Pinch of salt
- 1 tablespoon water, plus more if needed
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- (Makes about 3/4 cup)
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 cup light corn syrup
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 4 1/2 ounces semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
- (Makes about 3/4 cup)
- Prepare oven and baking sheets Heat oven to 400F, with a rack in the center.
- Line two baking sheets with nonstick baking mats.
- Make pate a choux Combine the water, butter, sugar, and salt in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat.
- Bring to a boil, and immediately remove from heat.
- Using a wooden spoon, stir in the flour.
- When flour is combined, return to heat.
- Dry the mixture by stirring constantly over heat until it pulls away from the sides and a film forms on the bottom of the pan, about 4 minutes.
- Transfer mixture to the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, and mix on low speed, about 2 minutes, until slightly cooled.
- Add 4 eggs, one at a time, on medium speed, letting each one incorporate completely before adding the next.
- Test the batter by touching it with a flexible spatula or your finger, then lifting; it should form a string.
- If a string does not form, lightly beat the last egg and add it, a teaspoon at a time, until the batter is smooth and shiny.
- If you have added all the egg and the batter still doesnt form a string, add water, 1 teaspoon at a time, until it does.
- Pipe Fill a pastry bag fitted with a plain round 3/4-inch tip (such as Ateco #806) with pate a choux, and pipe 1 1/2-inch rounds (3/4 inch high) onto baking sheets 5.
- Beat together egg and the water; use your finger to rub egg wash over entire surface, being careful not to let it drip onto the baking sheet (it will inhibit rising), and flatten tips.
- Bake Cover one sheet with lightly oiled plastic wrap, and place in refrigerator.
- Bake the other sheet 15 minutes; reduce oven heat to 350F.
- Bake about 20 minutes more, or until puffs are golden brown.
- Transfer to a wire rack to let cool completely.
- Return oven heat to 400F, and repeat process for remaining batch.
- Fill and finish Whip heavy cream to medium peaks in a small bowl.
- Stir pastry cream to soften.
- Add whipped cream to pastry cream in two batches, folding to combine after each.
- Fill a pastry bag fitted with a coupler and plain round tip (such as Ateco #806).
- Insert tip into the underside of each cream puff, and fill.
- Cool completely before dusting with confectioners sugar or dipping tops in glaze, as desired.
- STIR TOGETHER ingredients in a medium bowl until smooth.
- Add more water, 1/2 teaspoon at a time, stirring to achieve desired consistency.
- Glaze can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature up to 3 days.
- COMBINE WATER, corn syrup, and sugar in a small bowl.
- Stir over medium-high heat until sugar is dissolved.
- Bring mixture to a boil, washing sides of pan with a wet pastry brush to prevent crystals from forming.
- Once at a boil, remove from heat; add chocolate.
- Let stand 2 minutes; stir gently until smooth.
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Taken from www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/cream-puffs-393882 (may not work)