Description
This Strawberry Cream Puff Pastry recipe features delicate, golden choux pastry filled with luscious homemade whipped cream and topped with fresh, sweet strawberries. Perfect for an elegant dessert or special occasion treat, these cream puffs combine light, airy texture with rich creaminess and fruity freshness.
Ingredients
Scale
Cream Puff Pastry
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (cubed)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 4 large eggs
Cream Filling
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Strawberry Topping
- 2 cups fresh strawberries (sliced)
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar (optional, for macerating strawberries)
Instructions
- Prepare the Cream Puff Pastry: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a saucepan, combine water and cubed butter and bring to a boil over medium heat. Remove from heat and quickly stir in the flour and salt until the mixture forms a smooth ball. Allow to cool slightly before adding eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition until you achieve a smooth, glossy dough. Transfer the dough to a piping bag fitted with a large round tip and pipe small mounds about 1.5 inches in diameter onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them apart.
- Bake the Pastry: Bake the piped dough in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the puffs are puffed and golden brown. Avoid opening the oven door during baking to ensure proper rising. Once baked, remove from oven and cool completely on a wire rack.
- Prepare the Cream Filling: In a mixing bowl, beat the heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract using a hand mixer or stand mixer until stiff peaks form, indicating the cream is firm enough to hold shape.
- Assemble the Cream Puffs: When the cream puffs have fully cooled, cut a small slit in the side of each puff or use a piping bag to fill them with the whipped cream filling. If desired, toss sliced strawberries with granulated sugar and let them macerate for 10 minutes to release juices and enhance sweetness.
- Top with Strawberries and Serve: Once filled, place a generous amount of the macerated or fresh sliced strawberries on top of each cream puff. Serve immediately for the best texture and freshness, or refrigerate until ready to enjoy.
Notes
- Ensure the dough cools slightly before adding eggs to prevent scrambling.
- Do not open the oven door during baking to maintain puffing of pastries.
- For best results, serve the cream puffs the same day they are assembled to maintain crispness of the pastry.
- Macerating strawberries is optional but enhances the flavor and juiciness.
- These cream puffs can be stored refrigerated for up to 1 day; refresh the pastry in a warm oven before serving if needed.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Keywords: Strawberry cream puff, cream puff pastry, choux pastry, whipped cream dessert, French dessert, strawberry topping
