MINI CREAM PUFFS

facebook share image   twitter share image   pinterest share image   E-Mail share image



Mini Cream Puffs image

Once I was intimidated just by the thought of making cream puffs. It is really much, much easier than you think. These little puffs may be filled with almost anything. I will share my Shrimp and Crab filling that I use most often, but I have used most everything from egg salad to vanilla pudding and then frosted with...

Provided by Marsha Gardner

Categories     Other Desserts

Number Of Ingredients 15

PUFFS
1 c water
1 stick butter, no substitutes
1/4 tsp kosher salt
1 c all purpose flour
4 large eggs
SHRIMP AND CRAB SALAD FILLING
12 slice bread, crust removed and cubed
4 Tbsp butter, melted
2 large hard cooked eggs, minced
1/2 c onion, minced
1/2 c celery, finely minced
1 can(s) shrimp, minced
1 can(s) crab, picked
1 1/2 c mayonnaise

Steps:

  • 1. Put water and butter in a heavy saucepan. Bring to a boil until butter melts. Add salt.
  • 2. Remove from heat and add flour and stir until smooth and return to heat and continue stirring until mixture forms a smooth mass, and the bottom on the pan is coated with a fine film. (this indicates that the flour is cooked)
  • 3. Remove from heat and place mixture in the bowl of a food processor using the plastic dough blade. Add eggs one at a time, pulsing the batter until very smooth. (I started doing it this way when my shoulders would hurt so much from fibromyalgia that I couldn't beat the eggs in by hand any longer, now I wouldn't do it any other way)
  • 4. Once the eggs have been incorporated into the dough it may be covered and left at room temperature for an hour or so.
  • 5. Preheat oven to 425-degrees. Pipe dough with a pastry bag with 1/2 inch round tip onto parchment covered baking sheets, forming mounds 1 inch in diameter and 3/4 inch high. Lightly smooth the tops of each mound.
  • 6. Bake for 10 minutes, Reduce heat to 375-degrees and continue baking until the puffs are golden brown about 20 minutes. Reduce heat to 325-degrees and bake until puffs are firm and the inside is not sticky or doughy.
  • 7. Cool puffs on a wire rack. They may be used immediately or frozen in airtight container. To use, warm in a preheated oven for a few minutes.
  • 8. SHRIMP AND CRAB FILLING: Toss together bread cubes, onions, melted butter and eggs. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
  • 9. Next day add celery, shrimp, crab and mayonnaise. Taste for seasoning. May need salt and pepper and a little lemon juice.
  • 10. Use for filling mini cream puffs, canape`s or to make a sandwich with the filling. It is good enough to eat by itself. Bread extends the filling without compromising on flavor and taste.

There are no comments yet!