You’ll be enjoying Miniature Mocha Cream Puffs in the time it takes you to say Miniature Mocha Cream Puffs, three times fast!
How do you guys feel about cream puffs? Profiteroles? Do you see the name and think, “Oh no, no, no, no, no…I can’t do that, it’s too difficult.” If that’s your reaction, I get it. That was me a couple years ago. I thought to myself – homemade choux pastry…Pâte à Choux ? Me? No way.
Until I tried.
And now there’s no turning back.
Light and crispy, with large golden eggy pockets of air, it’s the perfect vessel for whipped creams, custards and ice creams.
I’d been scratching my head trying to figure out what I wanted to share for an Easter-themed post when cream puffs came to mind.
My first thought was to pipe these little pompoms-of-wonderful with homemade chocolate whipped cream until my coffee cup all but jumped out of my hand and I realized a touch of espresso would be a nice holiday indulgence.
The first time I was treated to a homemade cream puff, I was at a holiday gathering at my in-laws. Dom’s aunt, who is a fabulous cook, brought the puffs to the table and proceeded to fill them with homemade whipped cream in front of us. It was quite the spectacle. I have never forgotten it. The contrast between the crisp of the puff and the creaminess of the filling was exquisite.
I just remember fluffy snow white whipped cream busting out the sides of the choux pastry creating a visual that was as memorable as the flavor.
So what does it take to create a cream puff, you ask?
- Combine butter and boiling water in a pan and bring back to a boil.
- Mix flour and salt together and add to the boiling water and stir rapidly until mixture leaves the sides of the pan.
- Remove from heat.
- Beat in eggs, one at a time, until dough is smooth.
- It will come together all at once when the final egg is mixed in (like magic).
- Drop by spoonfuls on a greased cookie sheet.
- Bake at 400 degrees for 10 minutes then drop the temperature to 375 degrees and bake for another 25 minutes.
- Remove from oven and cool.
- In the meantime, prepare your whipped cream.
- Nothin’ left to do but enjoy!
See! You can do it! I promise!
Wishing you a wonderful Easter weekend, my friends!
NEWS FLASH:
Because I’ve been blogging for over four years now, and have more than 450 recipes and stories accumulated, I thought it would be fun to resurrect posts from the past with every original post that I share. There may be something from yesteryear that catches your eye and tempts your tastebuds, so I’m going to link recipes that were posted previously in the same(ish) calendar week for each new post. How fun does that sound? I started this blog when Nick was just getting ready to graduate high school, and now he’s graduating college in a few weeks… Just reading about his favorite chicken salad sandwich has me all verklempt…
Buon Appetito!
One year ago: Grilled Cheese Italiano
Two years ago: Strawberry Avocado Salad with Blackberries & Pine Nuts
Three years ago: Simple Sausage Lasagna
Four years ago: Nick’s Favorite Chicken Salad
PrintMiniature Mocha Cream Puffs
- Category: Dessert
Ingredients
- 1 stick unsalted butter
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/8 tsp. salt
- 4 eggs
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 1/2 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
- 4 tsp. sugar
- 1 – 2 tsp. espresso powder (depending on your taste for coffee)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 F.
- Combine butter and boiling water in a pan and bring back to a boil.
- Mix flour and salt together and add to the boiling water and stir rapidly until mixture leaves the sides of the pan.
- Remove from heat.
- Beat in eggs, one at a time, until dough is smooth.
- It will come together all at once when the final egg is mixed in.
- Drop by spoonfuls on a greased cookie sheet.
- Bake at 400 degrees for 10 minutes then drop the temperature to 375 degrees and bake for another 25 minutes.
- Remove from oven and let cool.
- In the meantime prepare whipped cream. Combine cocoa powder, sugar and espresso powder in a small bowl.
- Slowly add the powder mixture to heavy cream while mixing.Whip until soft peaks form.
- Cut the puffs in half, horizontally, and fill with mocha cream.
- Serve.
CIAO!
Geraldine | Green Valley Kitchen says
Home made cream puffs with mocha! Sign me up, Annie – so good and yummy. I love cream puffs – they are so light and delicate and the mocha stuffing sounds perfect. Hope you have a wonderful Easter with your family!
cindy says
I love that idea of bringing back something old with something new! OMGoodness how time flies. So creme puffs… Love them. Seems while I was in pastry school, I always got the fry station or the creme puff station and was dubbed croquembouche cindy. Chocolate expresso and creme puffs – dreaming of this shipment arriving at my front door before I make my next cup of coffee.
Annie says
I’m sure you wore that name well! Croquembouche Cindy has a very nice ring to it! Chocolate espresso and cream puffs are a sweet match made in heaven! Thanks, my dear! Have a beautiful weekend!
Rachelle @ Beer Girl Cooks says
You are so right, Annie. I totally look at something like a cream puff and think no way can I do that! I love the espresso touch!
Annie says
You can do it, my friend!! Espresso’s the bomb! Happy Easter, my friend! 🙂
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers says
I LOVE cream puffs and your mocha cream version is calling my name! Will definitely have to make up a batch of these for the family soon. Such a great treat. Have a wonderful weekend!
Annie says
It is a great treat! And a challenge not to eat the whole batch as they’re being filled! 😉 Have a beautiful weekend, my friend! 🙂
Andrea @ Cooking with Mamma C says
I’m betting you can guess how I feel about mocha cream puffs. YES!!! Give me all the mocha cream puffs! My mom is known for her custard cream puffs, but I’ve never tackled them. You make these sound so easy. I’ll be dreaming of these and picturing your gorgeous photos until I take the plunge!
Annie says
I’ve never tackled custard, either, but I knew you would love these! Too bad I can’t send you over a plate! Take the plunge, my friend! You can do it! Happy Easter!!
Nicoletta @sugarlovespices says
Wow, four years of recipes, Annie! All gorgeous and delicious!. I LOVE pate à choux! Making it and eating it! Profiterole is my cake of choice when it is my birthday 🙂 . Love what you did here, those puffs are light and airy and the filling, just….YUM! Happy Easter to you and your beautiful family!!
Annie says
Awhh! Thank you so much, my friend! That’s a lot of recipes…. We’re having fun! So happy you like this recipe…it’s one of our faves, too! Wishing you a beautiful holiday, my dear!
Michelle | The Secret Ingredient Is says
Mocha cream?! I’m sold. I want one now with my coffee! I’ve never attempted cream puffs — but you make it sound like I could maybe, sorta, possibly (???) do it at home. These look oh so heavenly.
Also – love that you’re linking old recipes at the bottom! Such a great idea.
Annie says
You can do it! I believe in you!! The mocha cream is a tasty accompaniment! Thanks for the kudos on the older recipes… Have a wonderful weekend, my friend!
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
Oh my Annie!! These look amazing! My husband would absolutely love these. That mocha cream…what a special treat! Love the new sharing idea with posts from the past. Happy Easter!
Annie says
I think Tom and Dom have very similar tastebuds! My guy loves them, too! Thanks so much, Mary Ann! Have a lovely Easter!
Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen says
Cream puffs are the BEST! But I don’t think I’ve ever made them at home. I definitely need to try it so it’s good to know how do-able it is :). Thank you, Annie!
Annie says
It’s very do-able! I say go for it, my friend! Enjoy!! 🙂
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
Okay, I’m going to be honest. Don’t judge. 🙂 When I hear cream puffs I want to bang my head against a wall and I’m immediately (in my mind) transported back to culinary school. I freggin’ love EATING cream puffs, but making that choux pastry?! It was the bane of my existence in baking class! Seriously, it was the ONE thing I just couldn’t master. And it drove me MAD. Where were you back then?! I would have had you dress up in a wig and go to school for me those days, because clearly you have the cream puff touch! <3 These look amazing, Annie!! Light, fluffy and faaaaaabulous!! You should send me some. LOL! I hope you guys have a beautiful Easter, dear friend! xoxo
Annie says
So the deal would have gone something like this – I make the choux pastry – and you make everything else!! I think you need to try one more time for old time’s sake! I’ll bet you get it this time! Thanks, my friend! Have a beautiful weekend, Chey! xoxo
Karen @ Seasonal Cravings says
You make it sound so easy Annie, but I’ll bet I would screw it up. I have trouble with baked goods like this. They look adorable and that filling looks to dit for!
Annie says
If I can do it, you can do it! I promise!! They are almost too cute to eat, aren’t they?! 😉 Have a great weekend, my friend!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
Oh, Annie…only you can make it sound so easy and look so good! I’ve never made cream puffs before. I’ve seen them made a bunch of times before on baking shows, but never have attempted. Usually when they talk about it, they talk about with fear so it definitely would frighten someone from making. But, your point description makes it seem totally doable! Howevvvvvver, if you want to send me some for taste testing purposes, I would totally do that for you 😉 You know I love the espresso powder addition in that cream!! Pinned. Love the link backs to past recipes – you definitely have some gems there and it’s nice to go down memory lane 🙂 Have a fab weekend and Easter! XOXO
Annie says
It is totally doable, however, I would love to make and send them to you! <3 The mocha flavoring is so good! I think you'd love it! Thank you, my friend! Have a beautiful weekend! XOXO
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
How fun are these cream puffs?! I must try these soon, that mocha cream is calling my name!
Annie says
They are so fun and easy to whip up anytime! Thanks, Gayle! Have a great weekend!
Marisa Franca @ All Our Way says
Boy, does this bring back memories! When we were first married *ahem* 47+ years agoI would make cream puffs for my father-in-law. He loved them and I loved cooking. You’re right, they are simple to make and you’ve got me thinking of doing something delicious with them. I love your filling — espresso with whipped cream is always desirable. Buona Pasqua!
Annie says
Well I bet your father-in-law felt very special to be the recipient of such a sweet offering! I’d love to know what you will do ‘delicious’ with them! Thank you, my friend! Have a great weekend! 🙂