Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Light and fluffy: The puff pastry is delicate and airy, creating the perfect texture.
Decadent filling: The vanilla cream is smooth, rich, and wonderfully sweet.
Versatile treat: Perfect for holidays, parties, or just a sweet snack.
Easy to make: Even though they look fancy, they’re surprisingly simple to prepare.
Crowd-pleaser: These cream puffs are sure to be a hit at any event.
Customizable: You can swap the vanilla filling for chocolate, custard, or fruit fillings.
Quick prep: With minimal ingredients, you can whip these up in no time.
Fun to make: Perfect for family baking time or impressing your friends with your baking skills.
Great texture contrast: Crispy outside and creamy inside—what’s not to love?
Make ahead: You can prepare them in advance and store them for later enjoyment.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the cream puffs:

½ cup butter
1 cup water
¼ teaspoon salt
1 cup all-purpose flour
4 large eggs

For the vanilla cream filling:

2 (3.5 ounce) packages instant vanilla pudding mix
2 cups heavy cream
1 cup milk

Directions

Make the Cream Puff Shells:
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a medium saucepan, combine butter, water, and salt. Heat over medium until the butter is melted and the mixture begins to boil.
- Add the flour to the saucepan and stir quickly until the mixture forms a ball, pulling away from the sides of the pan. Remove from heat.
- Let it cool for about 5 minutes.
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. The dough should become smooth and glossy.
- Drop spoonfuls of dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spacing them about 2 inches apart. You can also use a piping bag for a more uniform shape.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the puffs are golden brown and puffed up.
- Remove from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack.
Prepare the Vanilla Cream Filling:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the instant vanilla pudding mix, heavy cream, and milk.
- Whisk until thickened and smooth. You can chill the filling in the fridge for a few minutes for an even firmer consistency.
Assemble the Cream Puffs:
- Once the cream puffs are completely cooled, use a serrated knife to cut them in half.
- Spoon or pipe the vanilla cream into the center of each puff.
- Place the tops of the puffs back on.
Serve:
- Dust the tops of the cream puffs with powdered sugar for an extra touch of sweetness.

Servings and Timing

Servings: 12–15 cream puffs
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes

Variations

Flavored Cream: Substitute the vanilla pudding mix with chocolate or coffee-flavored pudding mix for a unique twist.
Filling Add-ins: Add chocolate chips or berries to the vanilla cream for extra texture and flavor.
Toppings: Top with melted chocolate or drizzle with caramel sauce for a luxurious finish.
Gluten-Free Version: Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
Mini Puffs: Make smaller puffs for bite-sized treats perfect for parties.

Storage/Reheating

Storage: Store cream puffs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. They are best eaten fresh but can still be enjoyed the next day.
Reheating: If you want to refresh the puff shells, you can pop them in a preheated oven at 300°F for a few minutes to crisp them up before filling them with the cream.

FAQs

Can I make the cream puffs ahead of time?

Yes, you can make the puff shells ahead of time and store them in an airtight container for a day or two. Fill them with the cream right before serving for the best texture.

How do I get the cream puffs to puff up?

Make sure you bake the cream puffs in a hot oven (400°F) and don’t open the oven door while they are baking, as this could cause them to collapse.

What if the puff shells don’t puff up?

If the shells don’t puff up, it could be due to underbaking or not using enough dough. Make sure the dough is smooth and glossy before baking and bake until they are golden brown.

Can I use whipped cream instead of the pudding mix for the filling?

While whipped cream is a delicious option, using instant pudding mix ensures a thicker, more stable filling that holds up well inside the puffs.

How long can I store the filled cream puffs?

Filled cream puffs should be eaten within 1–2 days as the cream may cause the puff shells to soften over time.

Can I freeze cream puffs?

Yes, you can freeze the unfilled puff shells for up to 1 month. Just thaw them at room temperature and fill them with the cream when ready to serve.

Can I make the cream filling with other flavors?

Yes, you can make flavored cream fillings by using different instant pudding flavors or by adding extracts like almond, chocolate, or coffee.

How can I prevent the cream puffs from deflating?

Let the cream puffs cool in the oven with the door cracked open for a few minutes to prevent them from deflating due to temperature shock.

What can I serve with these cream puffs?

Cream puffs are perfect with a cup of coffee or tea. You can also serve them as part of a dessert buffet with other pastries and fruits.

Can I use a piping bag to fill the cream puffs?

Absolutely! A piping bag with a large round tip makes it easier to fill the puffs neatly and evenly.

Conclusion

Easy Cream Puffs are a delicious, elegant treat that’s sure to impress at any gathering. Whether you’re making them for a special occasion or a sweet snack, the light, airy texture paired with the smooth vanilla cream filling will make them a favorite in your dessert rotation. Enjoy!

Easy Cream Puffs

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Author: Julia
Total Time: 50 minutes
Yield: 12-15 servings
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Easy Cream Puffs are delicate, light pastries filled with a rich vanilla cream filling. Perfect for any occasion, these homemade cream puffs offer a crisp shell with a smooth and luscious center that will impress your guests or make a wonderful dessert treat for yourself!

Ingredients

For the Cream Puffs:

½ cup butter

1 cup water

¼ teaspoon salt

1 cup all-purpose flour

4 large eggs

For the Vanilla Cream Filling:

2 (3.5 ounce) packages instant vanilla pudding mix

2 cups heavy cream

1 cup milk

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Instructions

Make the Cream Puff Shells:
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a saucepan, combine butter, water, and salt. Heat until butter melts and mixture boils.
- Stir in flour until the dough forms a ball and pulls away from the pan. Remove from heat and let cool for 5 minutes.
- Beat in eggs one at a time until dough is smooth and glossy.
- Drop spoonfuls of dough or pipe onto a baking sheet, spacing 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until golden and puffed. Cool on a wire rack.
Prepare the Vanilla Cream Filling:
- Whisk together vanilla pudding mix, heavy cream, and milk in a bowl until thickened and smooth.
- Chill for firmer consistency if desired.
Assemble the Cream Puffs:
- Cut the cooled puff shells in half.
- Spoon or pipe vanilla cream into the center of each puff and place the tops back on.
Serve:
- Dust with powdered sugar before serving for extra sweetness.

Notes

Customize fillings by adding chocolate, custard, or fruit flavors.

Opt for gluten-free flour to make the recipe gluten-free.

For a luxurious touch, drizzle with melted chocolate or caramel.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: French