Strawberry Cream Puffs Recipe

Dreamy Strawberry Cream Puffs Recipe: A Sweet Cloud of Joy

Sweet memories often dance around a delectable strawberry cream puffs creation that melts hearts instantly.

Delicate pastry shells cradle clouds of silky cream and vibrant berries.

Bakers adore these elegant French-inspired treats for their simplicity and stunning presentation.

Crisp exterior gives way to soft, luscious interiors bursting with fresh flavor.

Summer gatherings become magical moments when you serve these charming desserts.

Guests will marvel at your culinary skills, believing you trained in a Parisian patisserie.

Dive into this recipe and watch pure deliciousness unfold before your eyes.

Strawberry Cream Puffs That Melt Hearts Instantly

  • Delight in Quick Baking: Craft delectable cream puffs with minimal kitchen skills, perfect for beginners wanting to impress family and friends.
  • Create Versatile Dessert: Enjoy a flexible treat suitable for casual gatherings, elegant parties, or spontaneous sweet cravings with simple ingredients.
  • Customize with Ease: Personalize your cream puffs by experimenting with different fruit fillings, adding a unique touch to this classic French pastry.
  • Wow Guests Instantly: Serve a stunning dessert that looks professionally made but requires straightforward preparation, guaranteeing impressed guests with minimal effort.

Ingredients for Light and Airy Strawberry Cream Puffs

Pastry Base:
  • Butter: A rich, creamy ingredient that helps create a tender and flaky pastry shell.
  • Water: Essential for creating the right consistency of the choux pastry.
  • All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and helps bind the pastry ingredients together.
  • Eggs: Adds richness, helps the pastry rise, and creates a smooth, glossy texture.
Filling and Topping:
  • Heavy Cream: Creates a light, fluffy whipped cream for filling the cream puffs.
  • Strawberries: Fresh, sweet berries that add a vibrant flavor and natural sweetness to the dessert.
Seasoning and Optional Extras:
  • Vanilla Extract, Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the cream puffs.
  • Powdered Sugar: Provides a delicate sweetness and decorative finish to the dessert.

How to Bake Strawberry Cream Puffs Like a Pro

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Fire up your oven to a toasty 400°F. This high heat will help create those perfectly puffy pastry shells.

Step 2: Create Magical Butter Liquid

Grab a saucepan and combine water and butter. Let them dance together over medium heat until they’re fully melted and bubbling with excitement.

Step 3: Transform Mixture into Dough

Take the pan off the heat and sprinkle in the flour. Stir vigorously until everything comes together into a smooth, cohesive ball.

Return to low heat and continue stirring to develop the perfect texture.

Step 4: Bring Eggs to the Party

Let the mixture cool down a bit.

Then introduce eggs one by one, mixing thoroughly after each addition. You’re looking for a silky, glossy consistency that looks absolutely irresistible.

Step 5: Pipe and Shape Cream Puff Clouds

Use a piping bag to create small, uniform mounds on a lined baking sheet. These will transform into beautiful golden puffs in the oven.

Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the baking sheet into the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. Watch for a gorgeous golden-brown color that signals crispy, light pastry shells.

Step 7: Cool and Prepare for Filling

Let the cream puffs cool completely on a wire rack. This ensures they maintain their delicate structure and are ready for the most delicious part.

Step 8: Craft Creamy Strawberry Filling

Whip up some cream and dice fresh strawberries. Carefully fill each puff with this dreamy mixture, creating a dessert that’s both elegant and mouthwatering.

Tips for Perfect Strawberry Cream Puffs Every Time

  • Ensure water and butter are fully melted before adding flour to create a smooth choux pastry base.
  • Use room temperature eggs for better incorporation and smoother cream puff texture.
  • Pipe uniform mounds for even baking and consistent cream puff sizes.
  • Cool puffs completely before filling to prevent soggy shells and maintain crisp texture.
  • Swap strawberries with other seasonal fruits like raspberries or peaches for variety and personal taste.

Creative Spins on Classic Strawberry Cream Puffs to Try

  • Chocolate Cream Puffs: Replace strawberries with cocoa powder in the dough and fill with chocolate whipped cream for a rich chocolate version.
  • Lemon Berry Cream Puffs: Add lemon zest to the cream filling and use a mix of blueberries and raspberries for a tangy fruit variation.
  • Gluten-Free Cream Puffs: Substitute all-purpose flour with almond flour or gluten-free flour blend to make the recipe celiac-friendly.
  • Vegan Cream Puffs: Use coconut oil instead of butter, aquafaba in place of eggs, and coconut cream for the filling to create a plant-based alternative.

Pairings That Enhance Strawberry Cream Puffs Experience

  • Complement the delicate sweetness of strawberry cream puffs with a chilled, light rosé champagne that enhances the fruity notes and cuts through the rich cream.
  • Brew a delicate lavender-infused tea that provides a subtle floral backdrop to the strawberry cream puffs, creating a sophisticated and refreshing flavor combination.
  • Serve a scoop of creamy vanilla bean ice cream alongside the cream puffs, adding a cool, smooth contrast to the light pastry and fresh strawberries.
  • Drizzle a small amount of sweet almond liqueur over the cream puffs to introduce a nutty depth that beautifully complements the strawberry and cream flavors.

Best Ways to Store Strawberry Cream Puffs Safely

  • Refrigerate: Store cream puffs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking and maintain texture.
  • Freeze Whole: Wrap individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving.
  • Reheat Oven: Warm cream puffs at 300°F for 5-7 minutes to restore crispness. Avoid microwaving, which can make the pastry soggy and soft.
  • Filling Tip: Keep whipped cream and strawberries separate when storing to prevent pastry from becoming mushy. Add fresh filling just before serving for the best taste and texture.

FAQs

  • How do I achieve the perfect choux pastry texture?

The key is to add eggs gradually and mix thoroughly. Ensure each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next, creating a smooth, glossy batter that holds its shape when piped.

  • Can I make the cream puffs ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the choux pastry shells in advance. Bake and cool them completely, then store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days before filling.

  • What's the best way to pipe the choux pastry?

Use a piping bag with a round tip for uniform mounds. Keep consistent pressure and lift straight up to create clean, round cream puff shapes.

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Strawberry Cream Puffs Recipe

Strawberry Cream Puffs Recipe


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4.8 from 40 reviews

  • Total Time: 52 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

Heavenly strawberry cream puffs recipe delights dessert enthusiasts with French-inspired elegance. Delicate pastry shells cradle luscious strawberry cream, offering a perfect balance of sweetness and sophistication that you’ll savor with pure culinary joy.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) water
  • 1/4 cup (57 g) unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup (60 g) all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
  • 1 cup (150 g) fresh strawberries

Instructions

  1. Heat water and butter in a saucepan over medium flame until fully melted and bubbling vigorously at 200°C.
  2. Immediately remove from heat, quickly incorporate sifted flour with rapid stirring until mixture transforms into a cohesive dough ball.
  3. Return pan to low heat, continuously stirring to eliminate moisture and create a smooth, uniform texture.
  4. Transfer dough to mixing bowl and allow temperature to decrease slightly, preventing egg curdling.
  5. Gradually introduce eggs, blending thoroughly after each addition until achieving a silky, glossy consistency.
  6. Transfer choux pastry mixture into piping bag fitted with round tip, creating uniform circular mounds on parchment-lined baking sheet.
  7. Bake in preheated oven for 22 minutes, rotating midway to ensure even golden-brown coloration and crisp exterior.
  8. Remove cream puffs and transfer to wire cooling rack, allowing complete temperature reduction for optimal structural integrity.
  9. Whip heavy cream until soft peaks form, gently folding in finely diced fresh strawberries for vibrant filling.
  10. Carefully slice cooled puffs horizontally, generously stuffing with strawberry-cream mixture and dusting with powdered sugar for elegant presentation.

Notes

  • Prevent soggy puffs by ensuring your cream puffs are completely cooled before filling to maintain their crisp texture.
  • Stabilize whipped cream by adding a touch of powdered sugar and vanilla extract, which helps maintain its structure and prevents weeping.
  • For gluten-free options, replace wheat flour with almond or coconut flour, adjusting liquid ratios carefully to achieve the right pastry consistency.
  • Enhance flavor by incorporating finely grated lemon zest into the whipped cream for a bright, fresh twist that complements the strawberries.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 22 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: French

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 210 kcal
  • Sugar: 10 g
  • Sodium: 150 mg
  • Fat: 14 g
  • Saturated Fat: 8 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.3 g
  • Carbohydrates: 18 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 70 mg
Clara Bennett

Clara Bennett

Contributing Recipe Developer & Food Writer

Expertise

Baking and Pastry Development, Gluten-Free and Allergy-Friendly Recipe Creation, Culinary Storytelling and Food Journalism, Recipe Testing and Standardization, Southern Comfort Foods and Modern Twists

Education

Sullivan University – National Center for Hospitality Studies
Associate Degree in Culinary Arts

Focus: Baking and Pastry Arts, Recipe Testing, and Culinary Journalism.

Clara specialized in crafting desserts that blend classic Southern comfort with modern techniques, while developing strong writing skills to tell the story behind every dish.

Lane Community College (Certificate Program)
Certificate in Food Writing and Photography

Focus: Culinary storytelling, recipe formatting, food styling, and visual presentation.


Clara’s love of baking started young, powered by homemade pies, biscuits, and stories passed around the family table.
After earning her degree at Sullivan University and a food writing certificate at Lane Community College, she turned her passion into a craft: sharing recipes that are simple, soulful, and always full of heart.
She’s big on bold flavors, flexible ideas, and creating sweets that fit any table (yes, even if you’re gluten-free). When she’s not baking, you’ll find her wandering farmers’ markets, styling food for the next photo shoot, or working on her ever-growing recipe journal.

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