Cream Puffs

Ingredients

• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 4 large eggs
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Melted chocolate for drizzling (optional)
• Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a medium saucepan, combine the water, butter, and salt over medium heat. Stir until the butter melts and the mixture begins to simmer.
2. Reduce the heat to low and add the flour all at once, stirring vigorously with a wooden spoon. Continue to cook and stir until the mixture forms a ball and pulls away from the sides of the saucepan, about 2-3 minutes.
3. Transfer the dough to a mixing bowl and let it cool for a few minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition until the dough is smooth and shiny.
4. Spoon or pipe the dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the puffs are golden brown and crisp. Allow them to cool completely on a wire rack.
5. In a large bowl, whip the heavy cream, confectioners' sugar, and vanilla extract until soft peaks form. Fill a piping bag with the whipped cream mixture.
6. Once the pastry shells are cool, gently cut them in half horizontally. Pipe the whipped cream into the bottom halves of the shells and then replace the tops.
7. Finish by dusting with powdered sugar or drizzling with melted chocolate.