With Todd traveling almost constantly these days I try to make the most of the few days a week that I get to spend with him. His birthday was yesterday and sadly we spent it on opposite sides of the country...3 hours and 1000's of miles apart. I knew in advance he would be gone on his special day so last week while he was home I tried to spoil his taste buds every chance I could.
Prior to our gluten-free lifestyle, every now and then I would shamelessly buy a big box of cream puffs in the frozen department of the grocery store and we would pop a few out of the box at night after the kids had drifted off to sleep. It was a guilty pleasure for the both of us and honestly, it was a treat that I wasn't sure we would ever indulge in again. I knew when he was home last week I wanted to make each and every meal count and if I could make a batch of cream puffs to serve to him as a surprise late night treat; I knew he would be over the moon! So, I enlisted the help of my old friend Martha Stewart and her trusty recipe for Cream Puffs, then I adjusted a few ingredients, crossed my fingers, and held my breath while they baked. Amazingly, they came out perfect on the first try! *Seriously, that hardly ever happens.
When the first batch came out of the oven it was all I could do to not eat half of them by myself! *Self-control when it comes to indulgent treats has never been my thing. I admit this recipe is a little more involved than I usually like to post here on B+B, but I think that if you take the time to make these decadent gluten-free cream puffs that you will not only be thanking yourself, but singing your own praises as well. I suggest making the pastry cream one day, taking a rest and making the cream puffs the next. I can burn out in the kitchen when a baking project takes too long, so dividing up the task between days works really well for me. I also suggest dipping these little beauties in a little Meyer Lemon Curd, seriously you will be glad that you did!
Pastry Cream
- Yield: 1 ¾ cups 1x
Ingredients
- Makes about 1 ¾ cups
- 2 cups whole milk
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 vanilla bean, halved lengthwise and scraped
- pinch of salt
- 3 large egg yolks
- 3 Tbsp. plus 1 ½ tsp. cornstarch
- 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
Instructions
- Bring milk, ¼ cup of sugar, vanilla seeds, and salt to a simmer in a saucepan over medium heat, whisking to disperse seeds.
- Whisk the egg yolks and remaining ¼ cup sugar in a medium bowl. Whisk in the cornstarch, 1 tablespoon at a time. Ladle a ½ cup hot milk mixture into the yolk mixture, whisking constantly to temper the eggs. Add the remaining milk mixture ½ cup at a time whisking constantly. When the milk and eggs are completely incorporated return all of the mixture to the saucepan and heat over medium-high heat, whisking constantly, until the mixture comes to a full boil and is thick enough to hold its shape when lifted with a spoon, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the butter. *Think warm vanilla pudding consistency.
- Transfer the mixture to a bowl and place plastic wrap directly onto the surface to prevent a skin from forming and refrigerate until cold. Pastry cream will keep for a few days in the refrigerator.
Gluten-Free Vanilla Cream Puffs
- Yield: 3 dozen 1x
Ingredients
For Pâte à Choux (paht-ah-shoo)
- 1 cup + 2 tsp water
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 1 tsp granulated sugar
- ½ tsp. kosher salt
- 1 cup Better Batter Gluten-Free Flour, or gluten-free all purpose flour
- 5 large eggs
For the cream puffs
- 1 recipe pastry cream (follows)
- ⅓ cup heavy cream
- 1 egg+ 1 Tbsp water
- cooking spray (preferably canola or another tasteless oil)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F with a rack in the center position and line 2 baking sheets with either non-stick baking mats or parchment sprayed with cooking spray. Mark the baking sheets for piping by dipping the wide end of a large decorating tip in Better Batter and setting it down gently on the sheet pan about an inch apart. *I was able to get 4 across on my baking sheets. These little flour circles will serve as your guide to piping your perfect cream puffs.
- To make the pâte à choux: Combine 1 cup of water, butter, sugar, and salt in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring the mixture to a boil, and immediately remove from the heat. Use a wooden spoon to stir in the flour, when it is completely incorporated return to the heat. Dry the mixture by stirring constantly over heat until it pulls away from the sides and the liquid has cooked out, about 4 minutes. *I literally had a puddle of water in the bottom of my pan that was separated from the ball of dough. At this point it is supposed to look like a big blob, appetizing, right?!
- Transfer the mixture to the bowl of an electric mixer with the paddle attachment, and mix on low speed for a few minutes to cool slightly. Add 5 eggs, one at a time mixing until each addition is incorporated. Once all of the eggs are incorporated you can test the batter by touching it with your finger or a rubber spatula, if a sticky ribbon forms when you pull away the batter is perfect. If not, add the extra 2 teaspoons of water one at a time, mix thoroughly and test again after each addition. You are looking for a batter that is smooth and shiny and creates a sticky ribbon. If your batter at this point is still not creating a sticky ribbon you can add water a ½ teaspoon at a time until it does.
- Fill a pastry bag fitted with a plain round ¾-inch tip with the pâte à choux, and pipe 1 ½ inch rounds onto the prepared baking sheets using your flour circles as guides. Beat together the remaining egg and tablespoon of water; use your finger to rub the egg mixture over the cream puff, smoothing the ridges and flattening the tip.
- Cover one baking sheet with lightly oiled plastic wrap and place in the fridge. Bake the remaining sheet pan in the oven at 400°F for 15 minutes; reduce heat to 350°F and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the puffs are golden brown. Transfer to a rack to cool completely. Return the oven to 400°F and repeat the baking process with the second sheet pan.
- To fill and finish; whip heavy cream to medium peaks in a small bowl, stir pastry cream to soften and add the whipped cream to the pastry cream in two batches, folding to combine. Fill a pastry bag fitted with a plain round tip with the pastry cream mixture. Insert the tip into the bottom of each puff, and fill. Wipe of any excess cream that overflows from the bottom of the puff and serve immediately. These puffs will keep for a few days in the refrigerator tightly wrapped.
* I feel like I should mention that I am in not affiliated with Better Batter nor do I receive any type of payment for using or suggesting their products to you. I just really love them!
Robyn Stone | Add a Pinch says
These look so delish and decadent! Now I'm certainly craving cream puffs!
Carolyn does bake says
I, too, want to make cream puffs. How can they be made egg-free??
Meg says
Carolyn, I have been attempting cream puffs without eggs, but haven't had much success yet. Once I find a recipe that works I will share it here on the site.
Cindy says
My family has always loved cream puffs!! My Grandmother use to make them for my Dad and all his sisters when they were young. My Mom , of course , made them for my Dad and so on these delightful bites have been passed on. Now, my husband, children and grandchildren eat them up.Thanks for the gluten free recipe because now everyone can still enjoy them and it is great to have something different and special for the GF people in our family.
Meg says
Cindy, I am so happy that you found this recipe and that it can help your family to continue the tradition of sharing cream puffs with each other! They are my favorite:)
Cindy (Vegetarian Mamma) says
I am drooling!! Wow, I haven't had one of those in a LONG time! I have this on my to make list. Maybe one day when Grandma's here so she can watch the kids. I'll need to concentrate on this one! Awesome!!! I have your recipe pinned and tweeted! Thanks for linking up at Gluten Free Fridays! 🙂 🙂
Meg says
Haha, Cindy you are too funny! I have to admit that these cream puffs were an exercise in patience for me. I don't usually like to have so many steps in a recipe,but they are totally worth it!
Alanna says
These look incredible! Found your site through NoshOnIt (I'm a fellow contributor) and I'm enjoying all the recipes, writing and photos (and I love the name, too!). Definitely want to make these. Thanks!
Meg says
Hi Alanna, I love NoshOnIt so much, and have made a few really good blogging friends from being on their site! I am so happy that you found us and hope that you will visit again soon.
a farmer in the dell says
oooh, I haven't had a cream puff in far too long. These sound ridiculously good!
Meg says
I hadn't had them in long and I really couldn't tell a difference in texture or taste. I hope you try them and enjoy them!