Strawberry Vanilla Cream Puffs are delightful pastries filled with a luscious vanilla cream and fresh strawberries. These light and airy treats are perfect for dessert or a special occasion, offering a beautiful presentation and delicious flavor.

Ingredients

For the Choux Pastry:

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

For the Vanilla Cream Filling:

• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Strawberry Topping:

• 1 cup fresh strawberries (hulled and sliced)
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar (optional, for macerating strawberries)

Timing

Making Strawberry Vanilla Cream Puffs takes about 30 minutes for preparation and 20-25 minutes for baking, plus chilling time for the cream.

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. Boil Water and Butter: In a saucepan, combine the water and butter. Bring to a boil over medium heat.
3. Add Flour and Salt: Once boiling, remove from heat and quickly stir in the flour and salt until the mixture forms a ball.
4. Incorporate Eggs: Let the mixture cool slightly, then add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition until the dough is smooth and glossy.
5. Pipe the Dough: Transfer the dough to a piping bag fitted with a large round tip. Pipe small mounds (about 1.5 inches in diameter) onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each.

Step 2: Bake the Cream Puffs

1. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the puffs are golden brown and have risen. Do not open the oven door during baking.
2. Cool: Once baked, remove from the oven and let them cool completely on a wire rack.

Step 3: Prepare the Vanilla Cream Filling

1. Whip Cream: In a mixing bowl, combine the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Whip until soft peaks form.

Step 4: Assemble the Cream Puffs

1. Fill the Puffs: Once the cream puffs are cool, use a sharp knife to cut a small slit in the side of each puff. Fill a piping bag with the vanilla cream and pipe it into each puff until filled.
2. Prepare Strawberries: If desired, sprinkle the sliced strawberries with granulated sugar and let them sit for about 10 minutes to macerate.
3. Top with Strawberries: Once filled, place sliced strawberries on top of each cream puff.

Step 5: Serve

1. Dust with Powdered Sugar: Optionally, dust the filled cream puffs with powdered sugar before serving.
2. Enjoy: Serve immediately and enjoy your delightful Strawberry Vanilla Cream Puffs!

Nutritional Information

Here’s a quick overview of the nutritional content of Strawberry Vanilla Cream Puffs (per cream puff, based on 12 servings):

Nutrient	Amount per Cream Puff
Calories	180
Protein	2g
Fat	12g
Carbohydrates	16g
Fiber	1g
Sugar	5g

Tips for Customization

• Different Fillings: Substitute the vanilla cream with chocolate mousse or pastry cream for a different flavor.
• Flavor Variations: Add a splash of almond extract or lemon zest to the cream for a unique twist.
• Garnishing: Top with whipped cream or a drizzle of chocolate sauce for extra indulgence.

Conclusion

Strawberry Vanilla Cream Puffs are a delightful and elegant dessert that combines the lightness of choux pastry with a rich vanilla cream filling and fresh strawberries. These treats are sure to impress your guests and satisfy your sweet tooth. Enjoy this delightful recipe!