If you have a sweet tooth and love light, airy desserts, you are going to adore this Strawberry Cream Puffs Recipe. These delicate cream puffs combine golden, crisp pastry shells with a luscious whipped cream filling studded with fresh strawberries. The contrast between the tender, slightly chewy choux pastry and the sweet, fruity cream inside creates a dessert that’s simply irresistible. Whether you’re serving these at a special occasion or just treating yourself on a sunny afternoon, this recipe brings joy with each bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Strawberry Cream Puffs Recipe lies in its simplicity. Each ingredient plays a vital role: from the butter that enriches the dough to the fresh strawberries that add a burst of natural sweetness and vibrant color. These essentials are easy to find yet combined they create something truly special.
- All-purpose flour: Provides the structure for the puff pastry, giving it that iconic airy texture.
- Unsalted butter: Adds richness and flavor without overpowering the delicate dough.
- Water: Creates steam during baking, helping the puffs rise beautifully.
- Large fresh eggs: Bind the dough and make it smooth and elastic for perfect puffing.
- Heavy cream: Whipped to soft peaks, it becomes the luscious filling that is light and creamy.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens the whipped cream gently without graininess.
- Fresh strawberries: Sliced and folded into the cream for freshness, color, and a natural fruity zing.
How to Make Strawberry Cream Puffs Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Dough Base
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C) so it’s nice and hot for baking. In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter in the water until it reaches a rolling boil. This hot mixture is the foundation of your pastry dough, setting it up for a beautiful rise.
Step 2: Incorporate the Flour
Once boiling, add the all-purpose flour all at once, stirring vigorously until the mixture clumps into a smooth ball that pulls away cleanly from the pan sides. This technique develops the dough’s elasticity, essential for that perfect puff.
Step 3: Cool and Add Eggs
Remove the dough from heat and let it cool just a bit, so it won’t cook the eggs when added. Then, beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. This makes the dough silky and smooth, ready to puff up beautifully in the oven.
Step 4: Shape the Puffs
Using a piping bag or a spoon, drop or pipe the dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spacing them about two inches apart. This spacing gives each puff room to expand evenly without sticking together.
Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection
Bake the puffs for 25 to 30 minutes until they turn a gorgeous golden brown. It’s critical not to open the oven door during baking, as the sudden temperature change can cause the puffs to collapse before they set.
Step 6: Make the Strawberry Cream Filling
While the puffs are baking, whip the heavy cream with powdered sugar to soft peaks using a hand or stand mixer. Gently fold in the sliced fresh strawberries for a creamy, fruity filling that’s bursting with flavor and cool from the fridge.
How to Serve Strawberry Cream Puffs Recipe
Garnishes
A light dusting of powdered sugar on top of the cream puffs adds an elegant touch, giving them a delicate, snowy finish. You can also place a small strawberry slice on each puff for a pop of color and a hint of the delicious flavor inside.
Side Dishes
These cream puffs pair beautifully with a simple mixed berry salad or a tangy lemon sorbet to balance the sweetness. A cup of freshly brewed coffee or a light herbal tea also complements the dessert wonderfully, making it perfect for afternoon tea or a festive gathering.
Creative Ways to Present
For an impressive dessert display, arrange the strawberry cream puffs on a tiered stand, creating an eye-catching strawberry tower. Another idea is to serve them alongside small bowls of additional whipped cream and strawberry slices, letting guests customize their own puffs.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Strawberry cream puffs are best enjoyed fresh, but if you have leftovers, store the baked and cooled pastry shells separately from the cream filling in airtight containers. Keep the cream filling refrigerated for up to two days to maintain freshness.
Freezing
You can freeze the baked puff shells without the filling for up to one month. When ready to enjoy, thaw them at room temperature and then fill with freshly whipped strawberry cream. The filling itself does not freeze well due to the fresh fruit content.
Reheating
To revive the crispness of leftover puff shells, warm them in a 350°F oven for 5 to 7 minutes before filling. Avoid reheating assembled cream puffs as the cream can deflate and the strawberries may become soggy.
FAQs
Can I use frozen strawberries for the filling?
While fresh strawberries provide the best texture and flavor, you can use frozen strawberries if thawed and drained thoroughly. Just be aware that frozen berries may release more liquid, which can affect the cream’s consistency.
Is there a substitute for heavy cream in this recipe?
Heavy cream is key for the light and fluffy texture of the filling. You could try using coconut cream as a dairy-free alternative, but results will vary and the flavor will be different from traditional strawberry cream puffs.
Can I make the dough in advance?
It’s best to bake the dough immediately after making it so the puffs rise properly. Preparing the dough ahead and refrigerating may affect the texture, leading to less puffiness.
How long does it take to make Strawberry Cream Puffs Recipe from start to finish?
With 20 minutes prep time and 30 minutes baking, plus some time for whipping cream and assembling, you’re looking at roughly an hour to enjoy these delightful treats.
Why did my cream puffs deflate after baking?
Opening the oven door during baking or undercooking can cause the puffs to collapse. Make sure to resist the temptation and bake until golden brown and firm to keep them puffy and crisp.
Final Thoughts
There’s nothing quite like biting into a strawberry cream puff that’s homemade with love and care. The light pastry paired with sweet whipped cream and juicy strawberries is a match made in dessert heaven. I wholeheartedly encourage you to try this Strawberry Cream Puffs Recipe—it’s sure to become a favorite treat you’ll want to make again and again, sharing smiles and good times.
Print
Strawberry Cream Puffs Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Description
Delicious homemade Strawberry Cream Puffs featuring light and airy choux pastry filled with sweet whipped cream and fresh strawberries, perfect for an elegant dessert or special occasion treat.
Ingredients
Choux Pastry
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup water
- 4 large fresh eggs
Filling
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, sliced
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Dough Base: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the water and unsalted butter and bring to a boil. This prepares the liquid fat mixture needed to create the choux pastry.
- Make Choux Dough: Stir in the all-purpose flour all at once, mixing vigorously until a dough ball forms that pulls away from the sides of the pan. Remove from heat and allow the dough to cool slightly to prevent the eggs from cooking in the next step.
- Add Eggs to Dough: Add the eggs one at a time to the slightly cooled dough, mixing well after each addition until the batter is smooth and glossy. This step creates the light, airy texture typical of choux pastry.
- Shape Puffs: Using a piping bag or spoon, place mounds of dough about two inches apart onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper to allow room for expansion during baking.
- Bake the Puffs: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until the cream puffs are puffed up and golden brown. Avoid opening the oven door during baking to prevent collapse.
- Prepare the Filling: Whip the heavy cream with powdered sugar until soft peaks form. Gently fold in the sliced fresh strawberries to combine without deflating the cream.
- Assemble: Once the cream puffs have cooled, slice them open and fill generously with the strawberry whipped cream filling. Serve immediately or chilled.
Notes
- Do not open the oven door while baking to keep the puffs from collapsing.
- Allow the dough to cool slightly before adding eggs to avoid cooking them prematurely.
- Use fresh and ripe strawberries for the best flavor in the whipped cream filling.
- Chill the cream puffs after filling if you prefer them cold, but consume within a day for best texture.
