Thursday, January 7, 2010

Cream Puffs

I am basically a fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants baker. I like to use a recipe, but I don't always check to see if I have all the ingredients. And if I don't have something, most likely i've already mixed up half the batter, so I tend to improvise a bit. Cakes, cupcakes, breads, muffins, I love making them all and they seem to be okay with my non-exact baking practices. I make a mean pie crust, but that is the extend of my pastry baking experience. I've always been a bit scared of pastries, because they seem more 'exact'. With that in mind, I decided to try making cream puffs!!!

I found a great recipe here, at Our Best Bites. There was also a tutorial, which was super helpful. I mixed up my batter and dropped teaspoons full on my cookie sheet. And the actually did puff up in the oven, amazing!! I also tried dropping the batter with a normal spoon and that worked too, and they were a bit bigger. I think I liked the bigger ones.


Now I had big plans to fill them with bavarian cream or chocolate mousse, but time ran out. So I made some fresh whipped cream (whipping cream + sugar + kitchenaid mixer = yummy!) to fill them up. I cut off the top of each puff.


I dug out the inside if there was too much dough and I added a big dollop of whipped cream.


Then topped it off again.


Now, it's time for embellishing!!!!! I found some leftover chocolate ganache in my fridge and went to town with that and some powdered sugar.


Oh, aren't they pretty!!!


I think in the end I liked the smaller ones the best. You could just pop one in your mouth and forget about the calories you just ate and then pop another one in your mouth. Repeat. Over and Over. I brought these to Christmas dinner and I think they were a hit! When I have more time, I definitely want to play with fillings. Imagine bavarian cream or mint chocolate mousse or espresso ganache or...or...so many ideas, so little time!!


Now i'm a little bit less afraid of pastries. Thanks for stopping by!!!

19 comments:

Unknown said...

oo those look yummy!! it would be dangerous to have those in my house! lol!

lacylegend said...

wowwowwowwow
these are precious and
lookin so tasteful....
wish i could have the
courageto make them!!!

BethieJ said...

YUMMMMYYYY!!!!! These look so GOOD Mara!! (and I LOVE homemade whip cream.. you just cant go wrong!)
Hope your day is GREAT!

TLHarwick said...

YUMMY!
I am going to have to try these!
TFS!

Trish

Gina said...

Those look amazing!!! Mara I don't know how you don't weigh 500 lbs!!!! LOL. I think it's a good thing we don't live closer together!!! LOL!

Stampin Mindy said...

WOW! These look so yummy Thanks for sharing!

Mona Pendleton said...

Oh my goodness Mara! Those look devine & I am sure they are not on my diet! LOL Someone will be thrilled to get these treats! :) TFS

beckyjune said...

Mara, those look absolutely yummy. I am trying so hard to be good and not eat so many sweets but these are calling my name! YUM!

Michelle Whitlow said...

holy cow, those look super yummy!!! I love that you had "leftover chocolate ganache" in your fridge! hehe Chocolate is never leftover in my house ;)

Rebecca Keppel said...

They look amazing!! I remember making cream puffs with my Mom as a kid, but I dont remember them ever looking so delicious!

Val said...

Love these. There is a very famous ice cream shop in Detroit that's been around for about 100 years. They serve these little beauties with a scoop of high quality vanilla ice cream in the middle. Then they pour a very generous scoop of hot caramel-fudge over the top. I'm just sayin' :)

Heather Baird said...

These are so pretty!! I love anything bite sized. :)

Unknown said...

Oh my Yu-uh-uh-uh-UM!!! Those look FAB. I totally must make some sometime.

I use powdered sugar when I maked whipped cream -- do you use granulated?

Julie said...

They are just beautiful. I'll bet they were delicious too. I've never made cream puffs...maybe I should try :)

Karina said...

Love cream puffs - savory ones as well. These look amazing - love the chocolate and powdered sugar - yum!

Mama Tuttle said...

So you scrap like a rockstar and you can bake as well!! NOT FAIR!!

Leah said...

Yummo! I love making cream puffs, they are pretty easy to make and I love that they can be sweet or savory. I've stuffed them with chicken salad before and yummy! You should try it ;)

melody said...

omy goodness..those look so scrumptiously delicious chickie! you go girl! and thankx for the link!

and happy scrappin new year chickie ~ i'm so looking forward to another scrappy happy bloggin new year with ya!

hugz
melody

Joni M said...

Wow! These are making my mouth water! ... and it's lunch time and I'm hungry and I'm stuck in the jury room at the court house {sigh}

BUT, I am getting caught up on all my friends' blogs and staying off my sore ankle :oD