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cream puffs--help, please

16 years ago

I have tried for years to make a decent cream puff, but I have never been successful at the shells. I tried again this morning and suffered another failure. Now, I have some delicious bavarian cream filling and no puffs.

I use the typical mixture of 1 c. water, 1 c. flour, 1/2 c. butter, and 4 eggs. Bake at 400 for 25 min. They puff nicely and turn a beautiful brown, but they fall as soon as I take them from the oven.

Does anyone have a recipe for the shells that I can try?

Or a suggestion for what I am doing wrong?

Thanks,

Gail

Comments (5)

caliloo
16 years ago
How big are you making them? I make mine about golf ball sized and they go for 20 - 25 minutes. If yours are larger, maybe they just need to go a little longer so they hold their shape. I like mine to be almost past golden brown but certainly not burnt.

Alexa
lisbet
16 years ago
From Baking 911.com:
"However, if they are removed from the oven too soon, the structure of the shell has not solidified, and it will collapse. However, when you think they are done take one out of the oven and check it by breaking open and checking the interior walls. If wet and eggy, return to the oven as necessary. Remove when done and cool on a wire rack."
-----------------------------------
Turn off oven and let pan sit on open door to cool slowly so they do not collapse.

Here is a link that might be useful: Cream Puff & Eclair Shells
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bons
16 years ago
When you're mixing the ingredients in the pot you have to make sure to mix long enough to dry the batter a bit. I continously mix for 4 or 5 minutes before removing from heat.

I've never had a problem.

Bonnie
Terri_PacNW
16 years ago
I agree with the above help. Mix well..you've made it if you go a few more minutes past your arm falling off. LOL
And turn off the oven and open the door to let dry out a bit more with no heat. I live in a mostly damp climate. Those are my tricks too.
iowagirl2006
16 years ago
I make cream puffs A LOT, :)

If they fall, you are not baking them long enough - or you live in an extremely humid area.

Here is my method:

Boil 1 cup water with 1 stick real butter. Add 1 cup all purpose unbleached flour and stir in until it forms a ball - I use a silicone heat safe spatula. I mash the ball around a bit to make sure all the flour is incorporated.

Remove from heat for 10 minutes (set a timer!)

I then toss the mixture into my KitchenAid with the paddle attached. I beat one egg in at a time, scrapping down the bowl if needed. Beat each egg in well - 4 eggs in all.

I heat my oven to 400Âº and line my baking sheet with parchment paper.

I use a large size cookie scoop (just a bit smaller than an Ice cream scoop) to portion out the dough. I usually get around 15 at that size.

I also like to make them in a smaller size using a regular sized cookie scoop. I can get almost 40 at that size.

I usually bake them at least 30 minutes. Maybe a bit longer for the large size.

Every oven varies - you cannot bake them for an exact time - go off of color and feel.

You want them a deep golden brown.

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