Oh my goodness, if you’re looking for a dessert that’s both impressive and easy, then you absolutely have to try this easy cream puff cake! It’s one of those treats that has everyone asking for seconds, and let me tell you, it’s perfect for any occasion—birthdays, potlucks, or just a sweet way to end a week. I remember the first time I made it; my friends were blown away by how light and fluffy each bite was. The combination of the crispy puffs and the luscious whipped cream filling is simply heavenly. Trust me, once you get the hang of making these delightful cream puffs, you’ll want to whip them up again and again!
Ingredients List
Gather these simple ingredients, and you’ll be all set to create your delicious easy cream puff cake!
- 1 cup water: This is the base for your dough, and it needs to be fresh and cold, ready to bring your puffs to life!
- 1/2 cup butter: Use unsalted butter for this recipe—it adds richness without any extra saltiness that might interfere with the sweetness.
- 1 cup all-purpose flour: This will give your cream puffs structure. Make sure to spoon it into the measuring cup and level it off for accuracy.
- 4 large eggs: These are key for the dough’s lift and texture, so go for the freshest eggs you can find!
- 1 cup heavy cream: This will be whipped into a fluffy filling, so don’t skimp on the fat here—it’s what makes it so decadent!
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar: This adds sweetness to your whipped cream; sift it if it’s lumpy to ensure a smooth texture.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: A splash of this will elevate the flavor of your whipped cream to heavenly heights!
How to Prepare Instructions
Prepping the Dough
Let’s kick things off by making the dough! Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) because we want it nice and hot when those puffs go in. In a medium saucepan, combine the 1 cup of water and 1/2 cup of butter, and bring it to a rolling boil. This is when the magic starts! Once the butter’s melted and bubbling, add the 1 cup of all-purpose flour all at once. Stir vigorously with a wooden spoon until the mixture pulls away from the sides of the pan and forms a ball. Remove it from the heat and let it cool for about 5 minutes. This resting time is crucial—it helps the dough firm up a bit!
Baking the Cream Puffs
Now, here comes the fun part! After the dough has cooled, add the 4 large eggs one at a time. Make sure to beat well after each addition until the mixture is smooth and glossy. Grab a baking sheet and grease it lightly or line it with parchment paper. Using a tablespoon, drop heaping spoonfuls of dough onto the sheet, giving them enough space to puff up because they’ll grow! Bake them in your preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes, or until they’re beautifully golden brown. You’ll know they’re ready when they puff up and look irresistible!
Preparing the Whipped Cream Filling
While the puffs are baking, let’s whip up that creamy filling! In a large mixing bowl, pour in 1 cup of heavy cream, along with 1/2 cup of powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Using an electric mixer, whip everything together until you achieve stiff peaks. This means the cream should hold its shape when you lift the whisk out. It’s a beautiful sight, trust me!
Assembling the Easy Cream Puff Cake
Once the cream puffs are completely cool, it’s time to assemble! Carefully slice each puff in half horizontally, like a little sandwich. Now, take that luscious whipped cream and fill each puff generously. You can pipe it in if you want to get fancy or just spoon it right in—no judgment here! Replace the tops and voilà, your easy cream puff cake is ready to impress!
Tips for Success
You want your easy cream puff cake to turn out perfectly, right? Here are some of my top tips! First, make sure your butter is fully melted before adding the flour for that perfect texture. Also, when you drop the dough onto the baking sheet, give them space! They will spread and puff up, and we want them to have room to shine. If you’re unsure about the baking time, peek through the oven window—don’t open the door too soon, or they might collapse! And if you want to take your whipped cream to the next level, try adding a bit of almond extract along with the vanilla for a lovely twist. Lastly, for extra flair, dust the finished cream puffs with a sprinkle of powdered sugar before serving. Trust me, it makes them look even more tempting!
Serving Suggestions
This easy cream puff cake is a showstopper on its own, but pairing it with a few delightful accompaniments can elevate your dessert experience! Consider serving it alongside fresh berries—strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries add a pop of color and a tart contrast to the sweetness. A drizzle of chocolate sauce or a light caramel can also enhance the presentation and flavor. If you want to impress even more, dust the puffs with powdered sugar and add a sprig of mint on top for that extra touch! It’s all about creating a beautiful plate that tantalizes the taste buds and the eyes!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
To keep your easy cream puff cake fresh, store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. This will help maintain the delightful texture of the puffs and the whipped cream inside. Just remember, they’re best enjoyed fresh! If you want to prepare them ahead of time, consider storing the cream separately and assembling them just before serving. As for reheating, these puffs are best enjoyed cold or at room temperature—no need to warm them up again, as they might lose their lovely airy quality. Enjoy every last bite!
Nutritional Information
Curious about what’s in each delicious piece of your easy cream puff cake? Here’s a quick breakdown: each serving is about 180 calories, with 12g of fat and 3g of protein. You’ll also find 15g of carbohydrates and 5g of sugar in there. Keep in mind that these values are estimates based on standard ingredients, so they might vary a bit depending on your choices. Enjoy this sweet treat guilt-free!
FAQ Section
Can I make these cream puffs ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the cream puffs in advance and store them in an airtight container. Just keep the whipped cream filling separate until you’re ready to serve. This way, the puffs stay crisp and the filling remains fresh!
What if my cream puffs don’t puff up?
Oh no! If your cream puffs don’t puff up, it could be due to a couple of reasons. Make sure your oven is fully preheated, and avoid opening the door too early during baking. The steam from the water is what helps them rise, so a stable temperature is key!
Can I use a different filling?
Definitely! While the whipped cream filling is classic, feel free to get creative. You could use pastry cream, chocolate mousse, or even a fruit-flavored whipped cream. The possibilities are endless!
How should I store leftovers?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. They’re best enjoyed fresh, but if you have some left, just remember to keep them sealed to maintain their texture.
Can I freeze the cream puffs?
I wouldn’t recommend freezing the filled cream puffs, as the whipped cream can lose its texture. However, you can freeze the baked puffs themselves! Just make sure they’re completely cool, then store them in a freezer-safe bag. Thaw at room temperature when you’re ready to enjoy!
Check out this delicious carrot cake recipe for another sweet treat!
Z nadrukami
Easy Cream Puff Cake: 5 Steps to Heavenly Delight
- Całkowity Czas: 40 minutes
- Ustępować: 12 servings 1x
- Dieta: Wegańskie
Opis
This easy cream puff cake is a delightful dessert perfect for any occasion.
Składniki
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instrukcje
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a saucepan, combine water and butter, and bring to a boil.
- Add flour all at once and stir until mixture forms a ball.
- Remove from heat and let cool for 5 minutes.
- Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Drop dough by tablespoonfuls onto greased baking sheets.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.
- Let cool completely.
- In a bowl, whip heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla until stiff peaks form.
- Slice cooled puffs and fill with whipped cream.
Uwagi
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Can be topped with chocolate sauce if desired.
- Czas Przygotowania: 15 minutes
- Czas gotowania: 25 minutes
- Kategoria: Dessert
- Sposób: Baking
- Kuchnia: American
Zasilanie
- Wielkość porcji: 1 piece
- Kalorie: 180
- Cukier: 5g
- Sód: 100mg
- Kwasy: 12g
- Nasycony tłuszcz: 7g
- Tłuszcze Nienasycone: 4g
- Tłuszcze trans: 0g
- Węglowodany: 15g
- Włókno: 1g
- Białko: 3g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Słowa kluczowe: easy cream puff cake
