Eggnog Cream Puffs Recipe
Delight in these festive Eggnog Cream Puffs, a perfect holiday treat featuring light, airy choux pastry filled with a rich, spiced eggnog whipped cream. Baked to golden perfection and dusted with confectioners’ sugar, these cream puffs combine classic French pastry technique with seasonal flavors for an irresistible dessert.
- Author: Lily
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 12 cream puffs 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Choux Pastry
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup butter, cubed
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 3/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 4 large eggs, room temperature
Eggnog Whipped Cream Filling
- 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 1/4 cup eggnog
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
For Garnish
- Additional confectioners’ sugar for dusting
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) and prepare baking sheets by greasing them or lining them with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Boil Base Ingredients: In a large saucepan, bring the water, cubed butter, and salt to a rolling boil over medium-high heat.
- Add Flour and Nutmeg: Quickly add all the flour and the ground nutmeg at once, stirring vigorously with a wooden spoon until the dough pulls away from the sides of the pan, forming a cohesive ball.
- Cool Dough: Remove the pan from heat and let the dough rest for 5 minutes to cool slightly, which helps with egg incorporation.
- Incorporate Eggs: Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition until the dough becomes smooth and glossy. This step is crucial for creating the right texture for the puffs.
- Shape Puffs: Drop the dough by rounded tablespoonfuls onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart to allow room for expansion.
- Bake Puff Shells: Bake in the preheated oven for 30–35 minutes until the puffs are firm, deeply golden, and fully set. Avoid opening the oven door during baking to ensure proper rise.
- Release Steam and Cool: Immediately upon removal, pierce each puff with a knife tip to release steam, preventing sogginess, then cool completely on a wire rack.
- Prepare Filling: In a large bowl, beat the heavy whipping cream until it just begins to thicken. Add confectioners’ sugar, eggnog, vanilla extract, and ground nutmeg. Continue beating until soft peaks form.
- Fill Cream Puffs: Cut the top third off each puff. Spoon or pipe the eggnog whipped cream into the hollowed centers and replace the tops.
- Serve: Dust the filled cream puffs generously with extra confectioners’ sugar and serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Use room temperature eggs for easier incorporation and better dough texture.
- Be careful not to open the oven while baking to prevent the puffs from collapsing.
- For an adult version, consider adding a splash of bourbon or rum to the whipped cream filling.
- These cream puffs are best served the same day to maintain their crispness and creaminess.
- Eggnog flavor can be intensified by adjusting the amount of nutmeg and vanilla according to taste.
Keywords: Eggnog cream puffs, holiday dessert, choux pastry, whipped cream filling, festive desserts, nutmeg cream puffs