Eggnog Cream Puffs Recipe
Delight in these festive Eggnog Cream Puffs featuring light and airy choux pastry filled with a rich, spiced eggnog cream. Perfect for holiday gatherings, they combine the classic French cream puff technique with the cozy flavors of eggnog, nutmeg, and vanilla for a decadent treat.
- Author: Lena
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 12 cream puffs 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French-American
For the Cream Puffs (Choux Pastry)
- ½ cup unsalted butter, cubed
- 1 cup water
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 large eggs
For the Eggnog Cream Filling
- 2 cups cold heavy whipping cream
- ½ cup eggnog
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- 1 (3.4 oz) box instant vanilla pudding mix
- 1 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Boil Butter, Water, and Salt: In a medium saucepan, combine ½ cup cubed unsalted butter, 1 cup water, and ½ tsp salt. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil over medium heat, ensuring the butter fully melts.
- Stir in Flour: Remove the saucepan from heat and immediately add 1 cup all-purpose flour all at once. Stir vigorously with a wooden spoon until the dough forms a cohesive ball and pulls away cleanly from the sides of the pan.
- Cool Slightly, Add Eggs One at a Time: Let the dough cool for about 5 minutes to prevent cooking the eggs when added. Beat in 4 large eggs, one at a time, mixing thoroughly between each addition until the dough becomes smooth, shiny, and well incorporated.
- Pipe Dough onto Baking Sheet: Transfer the dough into a piping bag fitted with a large round tip. Pipe 12 roughly 2-inch wide mounds onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spacing them to allow for expansion.
- Bake the Cream Puffs: Bake in a preheated oven at 400°F (204°C) for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the puffs are golden brown and fully puffed. Avoid opening the oven door early to prevent deflation.
- Cool and Slice: Remove the cream puffs from the oven and let them cool completely on a wire rack. Once cool, carefully slice off the tops using a serrated knife to prepare for filling.
- Make the Eggnog Cream: In a mixing bowl, combine 2 cups cold heavy whipping cream, ½ cup eggnog, ¼ cup powdered sugar, one 3.4 oz box of instant vanilla pudding mix, 1 tsp ground nutmeg, and 1 tsp vanilla extract. Beat the mixture with an electric mixer until it becomes thick and fluffy.
- Fill and Assemble: Spoon or pipe the eggnog cream into the bottom halves of the cooled cream puffs. Replace the tops gently and dust the assembled cream puffs with powdered sugar.
- Final Serving: Arrange the finished cream puffs on a serving platter and add an extra dusting of powdered sugar just before serving for a festive touch.
Notes
- Ensure the dough is cool enough before adding eggs to avoid scrambling them.
- Do not open the oven door during baking to prevent cream puffs from collapsing.
- Use a serrated knife to gently slice the tops to avoid breaking the delicate pastry.
- For best flavor, prepare the cream puffs and filling close to serving time to maintain puffiness and cream freshness.
- Can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 day; fill the puffs just before serving for optimal texture.
Keywords: Eggnog cream puffs, choux pastry, holiday dessert, eggnog recipe, cream-filled pastries, festive desserts, Christmas dessert