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Recipes » Old Fashioned Cream Puffs with Pastry Cream

Old Fashioned Cream Puffs with Pastry Cream

December 8, 2018 by Jessica Robinson 38 Comments

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cream puffs with pastry cream, topped with chocolate, maraschino cherries, and dusted with powdered sugar
cream puffs with pastry cream, chocolate ganache, and marachino cherries
cream puffs topped with chocolate, marachino cherries, mint candies, dusted with powdered sugar

Old Fashioned Cream Puffs with Pastry Cream are easy to make and require only a few simple ingredients. Airy pastry shells filled with a creamy pastry cream, topped with chocolate, maraschino cherries, and dusted with powdered sugar.Cream Puffs filled with Pastry Cream, chocolate ganache on the top with pieces of mint leaf candies and maraschino cherries. Dusted with powdered sugar.

These delicious creations come straight from my grandmother’s kitchen. We always loved her Strawberry Shortcake recipe too!

Much of my talent was handed down from my grandmothers’ and my mom. Handmade talent runs deep in my family and my parents insisted I learn how to craft everything homemade, to be self-sufficient. One of the best creations my French Canadian grandmother made was Cream Puffs with Pastry Cream.

Homemade Old Fashioned Cream Puffs with maraschino cherries and dusted with powdered sugar

I absolutely adored watching my grandmother, effortlessly working over her stove top whipping up hearty dinners, while fresh coffee peculates. The smells that came from her kitchen made your stomach growl. She is one of the reasons I’m so passionate about cooking and baking whatever I can from scratch. That doesn’t mean I don’t love a dinner out. But, it brings me such joy to grown our own vegetable garden, bake from scratch, and make homemade dinners. It’s a way of life that was handed down generations, along with family heirloom recipes. One of her most cherished delights is Old Fashioned Cream Puffs with Pastry Cream.

To make Pastry Cream:

Simply combine one package of instant vanilla pudding, almond extract, and 1 cup milk. Then fold together with the whipped heavy cream. My grandmother created this egg-less version of pastry cream, so it is easier to transport during hot summer months!

This mixture works great for Pastry with Berries. (a recipe from my cookbook: A Farmgirl’s Table)

It’s a shortbread crust with grandma’s pastry filling and topped with fresh fruit and/or berries. Perfect for all your summer entertaining!

Prepare ahead of time:

Prepare the cream puffs the night before your picnic. Place them on a half sheet pan, cover loosely with plastic wrap. Refrigerate overnight. Dust them with powdered sugar right before serving.

Cream Puffs with Pastry Cream, chocolate ganache on top with pieces of mint green candies and maraschino cherries. Vintage small strainer dusting each cream puff with powdered sugar

 

More dessert recipes:

Old Fashioned Strawberry Shortcake

Sour Cream Coffee Cake

Apple Fritters

 

Do you love all of my recipes? I’d LOVE to hear from you- please leave a comment with a star rating if you have a moment!

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Homemade Cream Puffs are easy to make and are so delicious. Perfect for Christmas, Easter, or any family gathering. #recipes #creampuffs
5 from 1 vote
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Old Fashioned Cream Puffs with Pastry Cream

Straight from the kitchen of my grandmother.

Course Desserts
Cuisine American, French
Keyword cream puffs recipe, cream puffs with pastry cream
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings 8 cream puffs
Calories 556 kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 cup water
  • 1/2 cup vegetable shortening or butter
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 4 large eggs room temperature

Pastry Cream

  • 1 (3.4 ounce) package vanilla instant pudding
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1 teaspoon almond extract
  • 1 pint heavy whipping cream

Chocolate Ganache

  • 3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 2-3 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
  • 2 teaspoons corn syrup
  • maraschino cherries, mint leaf candies, and powdered sugar for garnish (drain the maraschino cherries)

Instructions

  1. To make cream puffs, in a medium saucepan bring the water to a boil. Add the shortening or butter, and salt. Let the water return to a full boil and then remove from the heat. Add the flour, stirring until the mixture forms a ball and leaves the sides of the pan. Using an electric hand mixer on high speed, add the eggs one at a time, making sure to mix well between additions. The mixture will be very smooth and silky looking. Allow cream puff batter to cool completely.

  2. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 425 degrees F and line a half sheet pan with parchment paper.

  3. Using two large tablespoon drop the batter in about 8 to 9 scoops on the prepared baking pan. (or use a cookie scoop) Bake for 15 minutes; reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F and bake for an additional 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and set pan on a baking rack to cool.

  4. To make the pastry filling, in a large bowl add the vanilla pudding, milk, and almond extract; blend together. Cover with plastic wrap and set aside in the refrigerator. When ready to fill cream puffs, add the heavy cream to a large bowl and use an electric hand mixer to whip to stiff peaks. Fold the pudding mixture and whipped cream together using a spatula.

  5. Slice the tops off the cream puffs, removing and discarding some of the pastry with your fingers. Scoop the filling into each cream puff.

  6. To make the chocolate ganache, create a double boiler by bringing a medium pot of water to a simmer over medium heat. Place a heatproof bowl on top of the boiling water, adding the chocolate chips, butter, heavy cream, and corn syrup to the bowl. Stir mixture together with a spatula until the chocolate is melted and combined. Drizzle warm chocolate over top of the pastry filled cream puffs. Decorated with drained maraschino cherries and mint leaf candies. Sprinkle with powdered sugar.

  7. TIP: You can prepare cream puffs the night before, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate. They will last in the fridge for about 2 days.

Nutrition Facts
Old Fashioned Cream Puffs with Pastry Cream
Amount Per Serving
Calories 556 Calories from Fat 423
% Daily Value*
Fat 47g72%
Saturated Fat 24g150%
Cholesterol 176mg59%
Sodium 160mg7%
Potassium 227mg6%
Carbohydrates 26g9%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 10g11%
Protein 8g16%
Vitamin A 1145IU23%
Vitamin C 0.3mg0%
Calcium 100mg10%
Iron 2.2mg12%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Disclosure: A Farmgirl’s Kitchen is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com

 

Filed Under: Desserts, Holiday Baking, Recipes Tagged With: A Farmgirl's Kitchen, A Farmgirl's Table, A Farmgirls Dabbles, cream puffs, cream puffs with pastry filling, homemade cream puffs, King Arthur Flour, New England Farmgirl, old-fashioned recipes, pastry filling

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Comments

  1. Lisa Torres says

    March 28, 2018 at 6:49 pm

    5 stars
    These are beyond gorgeous Jessica! I always thought cream puffs were too hard to make at home, and boy was I wrong about that. What a beautiful family heirloom recipe, thank you so much for sharing it with us. I am hungry now!

    Reply
  2. Emily says

    March 28, 2018 at 8:38 pm

    These cream puffs look so amazing! What a lovely dessert idea!

    Reply
  3. Felesha Bell says

    March 28, 2018 at 10:15 pm

    5 stars
    How darling are these little guys!!! Yum!!

    Reply
  4. Amy Nash says

    March 28, 2018 at 10:50 pm

    5 stars
    Your cream puffs are beautiful! Mine turned out a little more sloppy, lol, but they tasted delicious!

    Reply
  5. Chrissy says

    March 29, 2018 at 12:22 am

    5 stars
    Aw, how sweet that you have those memories with your grandmother. These cream puffs look absolutely delectable. I can’t remember the last time I had a cream puff but I’m totally craving this now.

    Reply
    • Jessica Robinson says

      March 29, 2018 at 12:31 am

      Chrissy,
      Thanks so much! I love all of her handwritten recipes. Such cherished memories!

      Reply
  6. Sara Lehman says

    March 29, 2018 at 1:10 am

    5 stars
    These look completely decadent! There is nothing like a cream puff!

    Reply
  7. michele says

    March 30, 2018 at 10:07 pm

    5 stars
    All of my skills came from spending time in the kitchen with my grandmothers and mom too. Your cream puff is a little different than our handed down recipe… Im looking forward to trying it to see how it compares, I love doing side by side taste testing… :).

    Reply
  8. georgie says

    April 21, 2018 at 4:04 am

    5 stars
    these look beautiful!!! i absolutely love cream puffs, they’re probably my favourite dessert! they’re small, therefore I can have more than one right!? 😉

    Reply
  9. Wajeeha says

    April 21, 2018 at 6:34 am

    5 stars
    Cream puffs are one of my favorite childhood memories. I still remember the first time I bit into one of these fluffy desserts filled with the most delicious pastry cream. Your recipe looks divine, I’ll be trying it soon! 🙂

    Reply
  10. Veena Azmanov says

    April 21, 2018 at 7:23 am

    5 stars
    Wow, these Old Fashioned Cream Puffs with Pastry Cream are so cute! I would love to eat them for breakfast, lunch and dinner! Thank you for sharing this great recipe! Yum Yum Yum!!!!

    Reply
  11. Natalie says

    April 21, 2018 at 9:10 am

    5 stars
    I love cream puffs! It’s definitely one of my top favorite desserts in the world – to eat and to make 🙂 These look amazing! I love the pastry cream filling – it’s simply the best.

    Reply
  12. shelby says

    April 21, 2018 at 10:26 am

    Cream puffs were ALWAYS a favorite growing up and I still love them! This recipe brings me back for sure. Looks absolutely delicious!

    Reply
  13. Erika says

    May 29, 2018 at 2:45 am

    These look like they would be a great addition to our upcoming bake sale at church! People would love these!

    Reply
    • Jessica Robinson says

      May 29, 2018 at 2:47 pm

      Thanks so much Erika!! These are such a loved dessert. Just keep in mind, they need to be refrigerated. 🙂

      Reply
  14. Nabanita Dhar says

    May 29, 2018 at 6:02 am

    Oh my this looks so good.
    I’m not a great cook so not sure if it will come out the way it should if I try
    But you have mee craving these for sure

    Reply
    • Jessica Robinson says

      May 29, 2018 at 2:45 pm

      These are super simple to make Nabanita! Just follow the step by step instructions and you’ll be loving these!

      Reply
  15. Amber Myers says

    May 29, 2018 at 12:35 pm

    5 stars
    Oh yum! I’m sure I’d love these. And they look pretty too. You’re so talented.

    Reply
  16. Ally says

    May 29, 2018 at 7:07 pm

    5 stars
    Yum, do these look good! I would love to make these for someone or bring them to an even as a dessert! I’ll be pinning this for later!

    Reply
  17. Lauren says

    May 29, 2018 at 11:01 pm

    Oh my goodness! These look so yummy and beautiful too! I have always loved cream puffs! Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
  18. Lofewithzg says

    May 30, 2018 at 12:06 am

    Omg my daughter saw the photos and she told me we should bake one too! Can you try some recipe with coconut flour next time? Thank you

    Reply
    • Jessica Robinson says

      May 30, 2018 at 12:17 am

      Thanks for visiting! King Arthur Flour makes a great gluten free flour mix and you could probably substitute that in this recipe. 🙂

      Reply
  19. Nisha says

    May 30, 2018 at 12:24 am

    5 stars
    oh my god…. so heavenly, I love these but I never tried baking them at home. thank you for sharing this recipe

    Reply
  20. Penny says

    May 30, 2018 at 1:57 am

    5 stars
    It cannot just be me; somethings simply taste better when they also look pretty! These are awesome examples, I already know they taste delicious!

    Reply
  21. Annie Cho says

    May 30, 2018 at 1:58 am

    You had me at cream puffs!! These look absolutely gorgeous. Your plating is on point too!
    xoxo
    Annie

    Reply
  22. Blair Villanueva says

    May 30, 2018 at 3:06 am

    5 stars
    Your new recipe makes me feel excited to learn more about its preparation, and devour it! Thanks and I will save it 😀

    Reply
  23. Di from Max The Unicorn says

    May 30, 2018 at 3:30 am

    5 stars
    These look delicious and they are so photogenic too! Thanks for the recipe, I’d love to give them a go 🙂

    Reply
  24. Passportofawanderwoman says

    May 30, 2018 at 5:17 am

    They look so yummy
    Great presentation as well. I am drooling.

    Reply
  25. Jennifer L says

    May 30, 2018 at 8:37 am

    Omg how yummy do these cream puffs look! I seriously want a whole plate of them. Going to give it a try and make a batch.

    Reply
  26. Deb Dutta says

    May 30, 2018 at 10:38 pm

    Goodness are these like the yummiest things in the world! They look delishhhh!

    Reply
  27. Jess says

    May 31, 2018 at 6:35 am

    Oh my gosh. I feel like I can taste them just looking at them. So. Hungry.

    Reply
  28. David Elliott says

    May 31, 2018 at 11:41 pm

    5 stars
    I do a pot a choux recipe from Alton Brown to do something similar every Christmas. But this seems worth trying out. I would be nervous about the pastry cream though. It always made me a bit wary and I didn’t love it all that much any way. I usually make a chocolate whipped cream for my eclairs instead. I would love to try this though.

    Reply
    • Jessica Robinson says

      June 1, 2018 at 12:06 am

      Thanks David. My grandmother made this recipe and she was likely leery of eggs in true pastry cream at picnics, etc. This pastry cream is SO simple to make and SO delicious! I hope you’ll try it!

      Reply
  29. Jalynn B says

    December 2, 2018 at 5:31 am

    5 stars
    These we’re amazing!!! I made them for a big family dinner and made them a little smaller but wow!! Now my entire family thinks I’m this amazing baker who spent the entire day in the kitchen!!! So good!!

    Reply
    • Jessica Robinson says

      December 2, 2018 at 8:20 pm

      Jalynn,
      Thanks so much!! I’m happy that you enjoyed the cream puffs!!

      Reply
    • Jessica Robinson says

      January 7, 2019 at 8:54 pm

      Jalynn,
      I know, right? Aren’t these delicious!? So darn good!

      Reply
  30. Silvia says

    December 4, 2018 at 10:06 pm

    5 stars
    These are so soooo cute!! Pinning to make for the holidays 🙂

    Reply
    • Jessica Robinson says

      December 6, 2018 at 4:54 pm

      Thank you so much Silvia!

      Reply

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Meet Jessica

Hi I’m Jessica!

Meals are meant to be shared around the dinner table. My recipes are farm-inspired with a modern twist for active families. All of my recipes use simple and readily available ingredients. Read more →

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