What kind of cream should I use to fill the cream puffs?

Cream puffs are an iconic pastry of French cuisine which come in many variations.

The secret to a successful cream puff lies in the choice of cream with which it will be filled!

In this article, we present the different types of cream for your choux pastries and how to prepare them.

Pastry cream, a timeless classic

is Pastry cream undoubtedly the most commonly used cream for filling cream puffs. Its smooth texture and slightly vanilla flavor make it a perennial favorite among those with a sweet tooth. Here's how to make this cream:

1. In a bowl, mix 4 egg yolks with 100g of sugar until you obtain a white mixture.
2. Add 50g of sifted flour and mix well.
3. Bring 500ml of milk to a boil with a split vanilla pod and let it infuse for a few minutes.
4. Gradually incorporate the hot milk into the egg-sugar-flour mixture, whisking constantly to avoid lumps.
5. Return everything to the saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until the cream thickens.
6. Allow the pastry cream to cool before using it to fill your cream puffs.

You can also vary the flavors by replacing the vanilla with chocolate, coffee, or fruit.

Buttercream, indulgent and rich in flavor

If you're looking for a richer, more flavorful filling for your cream puffs, buttercream is an excellent alternative to pastry cream. Here's how to make it:

1. In a bowl, whisk 250g of softened butter until you obtain a creamy texture.
2. Gradually add 125g of sifted icing sugar, mixing well between each addition.
3. Next, stir in 2 tablespoons of milk and a few drops of vanilla extract (or other flavoring of your choice).
4. Whisk everything together until you obtain a smooth and homogeneous cream.

This buttercream can be made in several flavors, such as praline, caramel or red berries.

The perfect marriage of pastry cream and buttercream: mousseline cream

To combine the lightness of pastry cream with the richness of buttercream, opt for mousseline cream. To make it, simply prepare pastry cream and buttercream, then gently combine them.

Whipped cream, for an airy and light dessert

If you want to add a touch of lightness to your cream puffs, whipped cream is ideal. It's also very easy to make:

1. Pour 250ml of very cold full liquid cream into a cold mixing bowl.
2. Whip the cream until it starts to thicken, then gradually add 25g of icing sugar while continuing to whip.
3. Continue beating the cream until it is firm and forms peaks.
4. Next, add a few drops of vanilla extract or other flavoring of your choice.

Note, however: as whipped cream is less stable than other creams, it is best to fill your cream puffs shortly before serving.

A fruity variation: fruit-flavored whipped cream

To add a fruity touch to your cream puffs, you can make a fruit whipped cream by incorporating fruit puree (raspberries, mango, passion fruit…) into your whipped cream.

Just make sure to drain the fruit well to prevent the cream from being too runny.

In summary, which cream should you choose for your cream puffs?

is Pastry cream a classic that always pleases, while buttercream provides a richer and more indulgent texture.

If you are looking for something lighter, choose whipped cream, or even a delicious fruit-flavored whipped cream.

Whichever cream you choose, these recipes will allow you to delight your guests with succulent homemade cream puffs!