Profiteroles

Pamper your guests (and yourself) with a huge mountain of home made profiteroles! Profiteroles are a well-known and popular dessert, also called in France "choux à la crème". These cream puffs are incredibly indulgent and beautiful at the same time, that is the reason why they are amazing.

Ingredients

  • dark chocolate 450 grams
  • water 2 tablespoons of water
  • whipping cream
  • water 250 millilitres
  • plain flour 150 grams
  • butter 80 grams
  • salt a pinch of salt
  • sugar a teaspoon of sugar
  • eggs 4 units
  • plain flour 50 grams
  • milk 500 millilitres
  • egg yolks 6 units
  • sugar 150 grams

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Information
60 minutes Total time
30 minutes Active time
Serves 6 persons
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Preparation

First of all, make a choux pastry: work together, in a nonstick saucepan, butter, water, sugar, a pinch of salt and put on a low heat. Bring to the boil. Once boiling, turn off the heat and quickly add the flour. Beat vigorously with a wooden spoon until the mixture is well combined and comes away from the sides. Use a pastry bag to pipe the mixture into balls over a baking tray. Preheat the oven, then bake for 15 minutes at 200°C, for 10 minutes at 180°C, and for 8 minutes at a lower temperature with the fan on. Let your pastries cool down. In the meanwhile, make your custard: work egg yolks and sugar until foamy. Pour over milk and sifted flour. Put on a low heat, stirring constantly until the mixture begins to steam and thicken. Use a piping bag to fill your pastries with the custard. Melt your chocolate on a low heat adding two tablespoons of water. Once melted, pour it over the profiteroles previously nicely arranged on a serving tray. Complete with some flakes of whipped cream.

Tips
You can stuff your profiteroles with Italian custard, cream, Chantilly cream, chocolate cream. You can also freeze your cream puffs, provided that you'll defrost them in advance before serving them.
Trivia
Profiterole is a French word that means "small cream puff". In the classic recipe, profiteroles can be stuffed with a either sweet or savoury cream. That's why profiteroles can be an appetizer and a dessert as well. The famous "mountain" of profiteroles is a cake called Saint Honorè

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Additional Information

Are profiteroles Italian or French?

Profiteroles have origins that span across both Italy and France, with their exact birthplace still debated among culinary historians.

What is the difference between a cream puff and a profiterole?

While both are made from choux pastry, cream puffs typically feature a simple filling of whipped cream, whereas profiteroles often contain a richer cream, such as pastry cream or custard.

Is profiterole same as eclair?

Éclairs and profiteroles are both made from choux pastry, but they differ in shape and filling. Éclairs are elongated and typically filled with pastry cream and topped with a glaze, while profiteroles are round and often served with a drizzle of chocolate sauce or powdered sugar.

What are profiteroles made of?

Profiteroles are primarily made from choux pastry, which consists of flour, water, butter, and eggs. They are often filled with cream and topped with chocolate sauce or powdered sugar.

Is choux pastry unhealthy?

Choux pastry itself isn't inherently unhealthy, but the rich fillings and toppings commonly used in profiteroles can contribute to their calorie and fat content. However, when enjoyed in moderation, profiteroles can be part of a balanced diet.

What language is profiterole?

The term "profiterole" is believed to have originated from the French word "profiter," meaning "to profit" or "to benefit."

What's the difference between choux and profiteroles?

Choux pastry is the base ingredient used to make both profiteroles and other pastries like éclairs. Profiteroles specifically refer to small, round pastries made from choux pastry, filled with cream, and often served with chocolate sauce.

Is there any alcohol in profiteroles?

Traditional profiterole recipes typically do not include alcohol in the pastry itself, though some recipes may incorporate liqueurs into the cream filling or chocolate sauce for added flavor.

Do profiteroles contain egg?

Yes, eggs are a key ingredient in both the choux pastry and many cream fillings used in profiteroles.

What country is profiteroles from?

Profiteroles have become a beloved dessert in both Italian and French cuisines, as well as in many other countries around the world.

Profiteroles recipe

A classic profiterole recipe typically involves making choux pastry, piping small mounds onto a baking sheet, baking until golden and puffed, then filling with a creamy filling such as pastry cream or whipped cream.

Classic profiteroles recipe

To make classic profiteroles, start by preparing a basic choux pastry dough, then piping it into small mounds on a baking sheet. Bake until golden and crispy, then allow to cool before filling with your choice of cream and topping with chocolate sauce or powdered sugar.

Profiteroles chocolate

Profiteroles and chocolate are a match made in dessert heaven. Whether drizzled with chocolate sauce, dipped in melted chocolate, or filled with a creamy chocolate filling, chocolate adds a decadent touch to these delightful pastries.

Profiteroles cake

For a show-stopping dessert, consider assembling profiteroles into a towering cake. Stack layers of filled profiteroles and drizzle with chocolate sauce for a stunning centerpiece that's sure to impress.

Profiteroles tower

A profiterole tower takes the classic dessert to new heights. Stack profiteroles in a pyramid shape, securing them with caramel or chocolate, for a visually striking and utterly delicious dessert centerpiece.

Profiteroles recipe easy

Don't be intimidated by making profiteroles at home. With a simple recipe and a few basic ingredients, you can whip up a batch of these delightful pastries in no time. Just remember to keep an eye on your choux pastry as it bakes to ensure a perfect golden hue.

Profiteroles Ingredients

The key ingredients in profiteroles include flour, water, butter, eggs, and a creamy filling such as pastry cream or whipped cream. Optional ingredients for added flavor include chocolate for drizzling or liqueurs for flavoring the cream filling.

Best profiteroles recipe

The best profiteroles recipe is one that suits your taste preferences and skill level in the kitchen. Whether you prefer a classic version with vanilla cream filling or a modern twist with flavored creams and gourmet toppings, there's a profiteroles recipe out there to satisfy every sweet tooth.