Heavenly Italian Cream Puffs: Dreamy Custard Filling Recipe

Delicate pastry shells dance with silky custard in this classic Italian cream puffs recipe that whispers of rustic bakeries and sweet indulgence.

Generations of bakers have perfected these delightful choux pastry treats, passing down treasured techniques through loving hands.

Each golden, airy puff promises a delicate crunch that gives way to luxurious cream filling waiting inside.

The magic happens when light-as-air pastry meets rich, velvety custard in a harmonious blend of texture and flavor.

Skilled home bakers can recreate this beloved Italian dessert with just a few simple ingredients and some patient technique.

Elegant yet approachable, these cream puffs will transport you to a charming Sicilian kitchen with every heavenly bite.

Let’s unlock the secrets to creating these irresistible pastry delights that are sure to impress at any gathering.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Calories: 201 kcal

Servings: 13

Italian Cream Puffs with Custard Filling – Ingredient List

• Flour: Provides structure and texture to the delicate puff shell, choose high-quality all-purpose flour for best results.
• Salt: Enhances flavor and balances the richness of the pastry.
• Baking Soda: Helps create light and airy texture in the cream puffs.
• Water: Essential liquid for creating the choux pastry base.
• Butter: Adds richness and creates a smooth, glossy pastry texture.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients and provide lift and structure to the puffs.

• Sugar: Sweetens the custard and balances the creamy flavor.
• Flour: Helps thicken the custard to the perfect consistency.
• Salt: Subtly enhances the overall flavor profile.
• Milk: Creates the creamy base for the custard.
• Egg Yolks: Provide richness and help thicken the custard.
• Butter: Adds silky smoothness and depth to the filling.
• Vanilla Extract: Brings warm, aromatic flavor to the custard.
• Rum: Optional ingredient that adds a sophisticated flavor note.

• Cherry: Adds a pop of color and fresh fruity contrast.
• Powdered Sugar: Provides a delicate, sweet finishing touch to the cream puffs.

What You’ll Need for Custard-Filled Cream Puffs

• Saucepan: Heavy-bottomed pan for melting butter and cooking dough and custard.
• Wooden spoon: Essential for stirring dough and custard mixtures.
• Mixing bowl: For combining dry ingredients and tempering eggs.
• Baking sheet: Lined with parchment paper for baking cream puffs.
• Pastry bag with ½-inch round tip: Perfect for piping uniform cream puff shapes.
• Cooling rack: Helps cream puffs cool evenly and prevent sogginess.
• Whisk: Crucial for smooth custard and preventing lumps.
• Small bowl: Used for tempering egg yolks.
• Measuring cups and spoons: For accurate ingredient measurements.

Making Italian Cream Puffs Step-by-Step

• Pastry Preparation

Create a delightful base by mixing flour with essential dry ingredients. Warm water and butter transform into a magical dough that becomes the heart of these irresistible cream puffs.

• Dough Transformation

Stir the mixture vigorously over heat until it forms a smooth, glossy ball. Incorporate eggs one by one, creating a silky, elastic texture that promises light and airy pastry shells.

• Baking Magic

Pipe elegant rounds onto a baking sheet, giving each puff space to rise and bloom. Bake until they turn a gorgeous golden brown, then create small vents to keep them perfectly crisp.

• Creamy Filling

Craft a luxurious custard by gently heating milk, sugar, and eggs. Patience is key as the mixture thickens into a smooth, velvety cream that will make taste buds dance with joy.

• Cream Puff Assembly

Fill the cooled pastry shells generously with the chilled custard. For an extra touch of elegance, crown each puff with a sprinkle of powdered sugar or a vibrant cherry.

Filling Tips for Italian Custard Cream Puffs

• Practice creating choux pastry by maintaining consistent stirring and heat control to ensure smooth, puffy shells that rise perfectly without deflating.
• Experiment with adding orange zest, almond extract, or a splash of limoncello to the custard for unique regional Italian flavor variations.
• Use a round pastry tip with smooth edges for uniform cream puff shapes, ensuring consistent size and elegant presentation during baking.
• Keep cream puffs crisp by storing unfilled shells in an airtight container and filling them just before serving to maintain optimal texture and prevent sogginess.
• Replace milk with coconut milk or almond milk in the custard for a lighter, lactose-free alternative that still delivers rich, creamy goodness.

How to Serve Italian Cream Puffs with Custard

• Elegant Dessert Plating: Arrange cream puffs on a beautiful white ceramic plate with delicate gold edges, creating a stunning visual presentation that highlights the golden pastry and creamy filling.
• Chocolate Lover's Twist: Drizzle rich dark chocolate sauce over the cream puffs or create a chocolate ganache for dipping, adding an extra layer of decadence to the classic Italian dessert.
• Wine Pairing Perfection: Serve alongside a chilled glass of sweet Moscato d'Asti or a light dessert wine to complement the creamy custard and delicate pastry, elevating the entire tasting experience.
• Fruit Garnish Delight: Add fresh berries like raspberries or sliced strawberries around the cream puffs, bringing a burst of color and a tangy contrast to the sweet custard filling.

Storing Italian Cream Puffs with Care

• Refrigeration Strategy: Store filled cream puffs in an airtight container within the refrigerator for maximum 2-3 days. Keep them chilled to maintain the custard's smooth texture and prevent potential bacterial growth.
• Freezing Technique: Unfilled pastry shells can be frozen up to 3 weeks in sealed freezer bags. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking and maintain their delicate structure.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare custard filling and pastry shells separately up to one day in advance. Keep components refrigerated and assemble just before serving to ensure crisp texture and fresh flavor profile.
• Temperature Wisdom: Always serve cream puffs slightly chilled or at room temperature. Never leave custard-filled pastries outside refrigeration for more than 2 hours to guarantee food safety and optimal taste experience.

Heavenly Italian Cream Puffs

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4.8 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Classic Italian choux pastry called Baci di Dama elevates simple cream puffs with delicate custard embracing rich flavors. Delightful pastries showcase elegant simplicity while offering sweet moments of pure Italian culinary pleasure.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 6 large eggs
• 2.75 cups (650 ml) all-purpose flour
• 2 cups (480 ml) water
• 9.5 tbsps (142 ml) butter
• 3 cups (720 ml) whole milk
• 1 cup (240 ml) sugar
• 4 egg yolks
• 0.5 cups (120 ml) flour
• 3 tbsps (45 ml) unsalted butter
• 1.5 tsps vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) rum
• 0.125 tsps salt
• 0.5 tsps baking soda
• 0.25 tsps salt

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Orchestrate a pristine workspace and activate the culinary chamber to 425°F (220°C), positioning parchment on the baking surface for optimal pastry crafting.
2. Dough Foundation: In a robust saucepan, merge water and butter, then dynamically introduce the sifted flour, salt, and baking soda mixture, stirring until a cohesive dough materializes.
3. Thermal Transformation: Manipulate the dough over intense heat until it forms a unified sphere that gracefully separates from the pan’s edges, then systematically integrate eggs to achieve a silky consistency.
4. Pastry Deployment: Utilize a piping vessel with a ½-inch circular nozzle to artfully deposit 3-inch circular forms onto the prepared surface, maintaining strategic spacing.
5. Baking Alchemy: Immerse the pastry creation in the heated environment for approximately 20 minutes, allowing them to metamorphose into golden-hued delicacies, then liberate emerging steam by delicately slicing each puff’s side.
6. Custard Crafting: In a medium vessel, blend sugar, flour, and salt, gradually integrating milk while maintaining constant motion, then carefully temper egg yolks and cook the mixture to a luxurious thickness.
7. Flavor Enrichment: Infuse the custard with butter, vanilla essence, and rum, then transfer to a shallow receptacle, shielding with protective wrap to prevent skin formation and chill thoroughly.
8. Final Assembly: Either surgically remove pastry tops or employ a piping implement to introduce the creamy custard into each delicate puff, optionally crowning the creation with a vibrant cherry and a delicate snowfall of powdered sugar.

Notes

• Precision Matters: Use room temperature eggs for seamless incorporation into the choux pastry dough, ensuring smooth and consistent texture.
• Dough Consistency Check: The perfect choux pastry dough should form a smooth ball that pulls away cleanly from the pan’s sides, indicating ideal moisture and flour balance.
• Moisture Control: Create small steam vents by cutting the side of each puff immediately after baking to prevent soggy interiors and maintain crisp, airy shells.
• Custard Cooling Technique: Always cover custard directly with plastic wrap touching its surface to prevent a skin from forming, guaranteeing a silky smooth filling.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 201
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 66 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 26 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 58 mg