Profiteroles

Profiteroles are delicate cream-filled pastries that are a highlight in French patisserie. With a crisp outer shell and a luscious filling, they offer the perfect combination of textures that simply melt in your mouth. I can still remember the first time I tried making them: the sheer joy of watching them puff up in the oven was magical. Whether you’re preparing for a family gathering, an elegant dinner party, or just a delightful weekend treat, profiteroles are sure to impress. They also make celebrating special occasions even sweeter—everyone loves a bite-sized indulgence!

Top Reasons to Try This Dish

What truly sets this recipe apart is its balance of simplicity and elegance. Profiteroles may sound fancy, but they are surprisingly easy to prepare, even for a novice baker. They are versatile, too! You can fill them with whipped cream, pastry cream, or even ice cream, making them perfect for any season or celebration. Another bonus? They can be made ahead of time, saving you precious moments on the day of your event.

“These profiteroles were a hit at our family gathering! The texture was perfect, and they disappeared in seconds!”

Your Easy Cooking Guide

Making profiteroles involves several straightforward steps. First, you’ll prepare the choux pastry, which involves cooking water, butter, flour, and eggs to create a light, airy dough. Next, you’ll bake the pastry until golden and puffy. Once cooled, they will be filled and drizzled with chocolate ganache for that perfect finishing touch. The whole process takes some time, but the result is worth every minute!

Everything You Need for This Recipe

Gathering ingredients is an essential step in any cooking adventure. For this profiterole recipe, you’ll need:

• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 4 large eggs
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup heavy cream (for filling)
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup chocolate chips (for ganache)
• 1/2 cup heavy cream (for ganache)

Feel free to swap heavy cream for whipped topping in the filling if you’re looking for a lighter option.

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Step-by-Step Directions

Follow these straightforward instructions for perfect profiteroles every time:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a saucepan, bring the water and butter to a rolling boil.
3. Stir in the flour and salt, cooking until the mixture forms a ball that pulls away from the sides of the pan.
4. Remove from the heat and allow it to cool for a few minutes.
5. Add in the eggs, one at a time, mixing until smooth after each addition.
6. Pipe small mounds of the dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
7. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, until golden brown and puffed up.
8. While the shells cool, whip 1 cup of heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form.
9. Fill the cooled pastry shells with the whipped cream.
10. For the chocolate ganache, heat 1/2 cup of heavy cream, then pour it over the chocolate chips. Stir until smooth.
11. Drizzle or dip the filled profiteroles in chocolate ganache and let them set before serving.

Best Way to Serve

When it comes to serving profiteroles, presentation is key! Arrange them on a beautiful platter, perhaps dusting with a little extra powdered sugar for a touch of elegance. You could even serve them alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a bowl of fresh berries for a delightful flavor contrast. Pair these treats with an espresso or a glass of dessert wine for an elevated experience.

Keeping Profiteroles Fresh Longer

Storing profiteroles can be a bit tricky due to their delicate nature. To keep them fresh, store any unfilled choux pastry shells in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For filled profiteroles, it’s best to enjoy them the same day. If needed, keep them in the fridge for no longer than 24 hours. Just remember that the moisture can make the shells soggy if they sit too long.

Pro Chef Tips

For those looking to elevate their profiterole game, here’s some expert advice:

• Ensure your butter is fully melted before adding the flour to prevent lumps in the dough.
• Don’t open the oven door while baking, as this can cause the pastries to deflate.
• Experiment with flavoring your whipped cream by adding a splash of liqueur, like Frangelico, for an adult twist.

Flavor Variations

Want to switch things up? Here are some creative twists on the classic profiterole:

• Coffee-Infused Cream: Add instant coffee granules to your whipped cream for a caffeine kick.
• Chocolate Choux: Incorporate cocoa powder into the choux pastry for an extra chocolatey taste.
• Fruit Fillings: Fill with fresh fruit puree or a light lemon curd for a refreshing alternative.

Common Questions

How long does it take to make profiteroles?
The entire process should take about 1 hour, including baking and cooling time.

Can I use other fillings besides cream?
Absolutely! Pastry cream, custard, or even ice cream work beautifully.

What’s the best way to reheat leftover profiteroles?
For best results, pop them back in a 350°F oven for a few minutes to re-crisp the outer shell—just be cautious not to refreeze filled ones.

In conclusion, making profiteroles at home is not only achievable but also incredibly rewarding. The combination of a crisp pastry shell and luscious filling will impress anyone lucky enough to enjoy them. So gather your ingredients, invite some friends over, and get ready to share this timeless French treat!

Profiteroles

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• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Delicate cream-filled pastries with a crisp outer shell, perfect for any occasion.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 4 large eggs
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup heavy cream (for filling)
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup chocolate chips (for ganache)
• 1/2 cup heavy cream (for ganache)

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Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a saucepan, bring water and butter to a rolling boil.
3. Stir in flour and salt, cooking until the mixture forms a ball that pulls away from the sides of the pan.
4. Remove from heat and allow to cool for a few minutes.
5. Add eggs one at a time, mixing until smooth after each addition.
6. Pipe small mounds of dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
7. Bake in preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, until golden brown and puffed up.
8. While shells cool, whip 1 cup of heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form.
9. Fill cooled pastry shells with the whipped cream.
10. For ganache, heat 1/2 cup of heavy cream, pour over chocolate chips, and stir until smooth.
11. Drizzle or dip filled profiteroles in ganache and let them set before serving.

Notes

Presentation is key; dust with powdered sugar for elegance and consider serving with ice cream or berries.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 8g
• Sodium: 150mg
• Fat: 22g
• Saturated Fat: 12g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 28g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 4g
• Cholesterol: 100mg

Keywords: profiteroles, French pastries, dessert, choux pastry, chocolate ganache