Chocolate Caramel Choux Buns are delightful pastry treats filled with creamy chocolate and caramel filling, then topped with a rich chocolate glaze. These light and airy choux buns are perfect for dessert or special occasions, making them a showstopper!

Ingredients

For the Choux Pastry:

• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (cubed)
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 4 large eggs

For the Chocolate Caramel Filling:

• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
• 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Chocolate Glaze:

• 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Timing

Making Chocolate Caramel Choux Buns takes about 30 minutes for preparation and 25-30 minutes for baking, plus cooling time.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Choux Pastry

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Heat Water and Butter: In a medium saucepan, combine the water and cubed butter. Bring to a boil over medium heat.
3. Add Flour and Salt: Once the butter has melted and the mixture is boiling, add the flour and salt all at once. Stir vigorously with a wooden spoon until the mixture forms a ball and pulls away from the sides of the pan.
4. Cool and Add Eggs: Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the dough cool for about 5 minutes. Then, add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition until the dough is smooth and glossy.
5. Pipe Choux Buns: Transfer the choux pastry to a piping bag fitted with a round tip. Pipe small mounds (about 1.5 inches in diameter) onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each.

Step 2: Bake the Choux Buns

1. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the buns are golden brown and puffed up. Avoid opening the oven door during baking.
2. Cool: Once baked, remove from the oven and let the choux buns cool completely on a wire rack.

Step 3: Prepare the Filling

1. Whip Cream: In a mixing bowl, whip the heavy cream until soft peaks form.
2. Add Caramel and Chocolate: Gently fold in the caramel sauce, chocolate chips, and vanilla extract until well combined.

Step 4: Fill the Choux Buns

1. Fill Buns: Once the choux buns are completely cool, use a small knife to make a hole in the bottom of each bun. Pipe or spoon the chocolate caramel filling into each bun until they are full.

Step 5: Prepare the Chocolate Glaze

1. Melt Chocolate and Butter: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the chocolate chips and butter. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until melted and smooth.

Step 6: Glaze the Choux Buns

1. Dip Buns: Dip the top of each filled choux bun into the chocolate glaze, allowing the excess to drip off.
2. Set: Place the glazed buns on a wire rack to set.

Step 7: Serve

1. Enjoy: Serve the Chocolate Caramel Choux Buns immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve. Enjoy these delightful treats!

Nutritional Information

Here’s a quick overview of the nutritional content of Chocolate Caramel Choux Buns (per bun, based on 12 servings):

Nutrient	Amount per Bun
Calories	250
Protein	3g
Fat	15g
Carbohydrates	28g
Fiber	1g
Sugar	10g

Tips for Customization

• Flavor Variations: Experiment with different fillings, such as vanilla pastry cream or fruit-flavored fillings.
• Glaze Options: Use white chocolate or a flavored glaze for a unique twist.
• Decorative Toppings: Sprinkle chopped nuts or drizzle additional caramel over the glazed buns for extra flair.

Conclusion

Chocolate Caramel Choux Buns are a deliciously indulgent treat that combines the airy texture of choux pastry with rich chocolate and caramel flavors. Perfect for impressing guests or treating yourself, these delightful buns are sure to be a hit. Enjoy this delightful recipe!