EASY CREAM PUFFS WITH VANILLA FILLING

Easy Cream Puffs With Vanilla Filling image

Provided by Battle in Seattle

Categories Dessert

Time 50m

Yield 12 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 cup water
1/2 cup butter
1 cup all-purpose flour
4 eggs
1 (3 1/2 ounce) vanilla instant pudding mix
1 cup milk
2 cups heavy whipping cream, well chilled
1 ounce unsweetened chocolate
1 tablespoon butter
1 cup confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons hot water

Steps:

For the puffs: Preheat oven to 400.
Heat water and butter to a rolling boil in a medium sized saucepan. Turn heat down to low, and stir in flour with wooden spoon. Stir vigorously over low heat about 1 minute or until mixture forms a ball.
Remove from heat, and either place mixture into stand mixer or have a hand mixer ready. Add eggs all at one time, and beat everything together until smooth and shiny.
Drop dough by scant 1/4 cup 3 inches apart onto ungreased baking sheet.
Bake 35-40 minutes until puffed and golden brown. (Do not pull out too early or they will "fall." It is better to slightly overbake than to underbake!).
Remove from oven, and cool to room temperature.
For the filling: While the puffs are baking, in a medium to large mixer bowl, blend pudding with milk until all lumps are gone on low speed.
Add whipping cream, and beat on medium speed for two minutes or until soft to semi-firm peaks form. Refrigerate mixture until puffs are ready to be filled.
For the icing: Melt chocolate and butter over low heat in small saucepan. Remove from heat; stir in confectioner's sugar and about 2 tablespoons of hot water (more or less). Beat until smooth. Consistency should be able to "drizzle.".
Assembly: Either cut tops off completely, or cut to the back to leave a "hinge." Fill puffs with pudding mix, replace tops, then drizzle with chocolate icing. Refrigerate until serving time. Best served day of.