There is something utterly magical about combining light, airy pastry with luscious fresh strawberries and rich whipped cream. This Strawberry Cream Puffs Recipe captures that delightful balance perfectly, resulting in a dessert that feels both indulgent and refreshingly fruity. Each bite offers a crisp, golden puff filled with silky whipped cream and burst-in-your-mouth strawberry slices, making it a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for any occasion or a sweet treat just for yourself.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Though this recipe involves just a handful of ingredients, each one plays a crucial role in creating those perfectly soft yet crisp cream puffs and the creamy, flavorful filling.
- Unsalted butter: Adds richness and helps create the tender, flaky pastry texture.
- Water: Essential for the choux pastry to steam and puff just right.
- Salt: Enhances the flavor and balances the sweetness.
- All-purpose flour: The base for the dough, providing structure and stability.
- Large eggs: Key to achieving that glossy, smooth dough that rises beautifully.
- Heavy whipping cream: Whipped to soft peaks for the luscious filling.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens the cream gently and dusts the finished puffs for a pretty presentation.
- Vanilla extract: Adds a warm, inviting depth to the whipped cream.
- Fresh strawberries: Sliced for a burst of natural sweetness and vibrant color inside each puff.
How to Make Strawberry Cream Puffs Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the choux pastry dough
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (204°C) and preparing a baking sheet with parchment paper. Then, melt the butter in water with a pinch of salt over medium heat. Once boiling, quickly stir in the flour all at once. Keep stirring vigorously until the dough forms a smooth ball and pulls away from the pan sides. This step is crucial to develop the dough’s structure and prevent sogginess later.
Step 2: Incorporate the eggs
Remove the dough from heat and allow it to cool slightly for about 5 minutes. Then beat in the eggs, one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated before adding the next. The dough should become glossy and smooth, with a pipeable consistency. This process ensures that your cream puffs will puff up in the oven, becoming light and airy.
Step 3: Bake the cream puffs
Drop tablespoon-sized mounds of dough onto your baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to give room for expansion. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until each puff is golden brown and beautifully puffed. Resist opening the oven door early, as the temperature drop can cause them to collapse. Once done, cool them completely on a wire rack.
Step 4: Whip the cream filling
While the puffs cool, whip the heavy cream together with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until you reach soft peaks. This airy cream is what makes these Strawberry Cream Puffs Recipe so irresistibly creamy and light. The vanilla rounds out the flavors, tying everything together perfectly.
Step 5: Assemble the cream puffs
Slice each cooled puff horizontally and fill the bottom half with a generous spoonful of whipped cream topped with fresh, sliced strawberries. Place the top half back on gently and, if you like, dust with extra powdered sugar for a pretty, final touch. These Cream Puffs are now ready to dazzle!
How to Serve Strawberry Cream Puffs Recipe
Garnishes
A simple dusting of powdered sugar adds a touch of elegance and a sweet contrast to the vibrant red strawberries. For an extra wow, you can drizzle melted chocolate or add a mint leaf atop each puff for color and freshness. These little touches turn your Strawberry Cream Puffs Recipe into a show-stopping dessert table centerpiece.
Side Dishes
Pair these delightful cream puffs with a light green salad featuring citrus vinaigrette or a crisp glass of sparkling wine for a fancy touch. Fresh berries on the side create a colorful, fruity complement that enhances the flavors while keeping things refreshing and not overly sweet.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve your strawberry cream puffs on a tiered cake stand for a charming afternoon tea vibe. Alternatively, assemble mini cream puff sandwiches on delicate decorative plates, or present them alongside small bowls of extra whipped cream and strawberry sauce for an interactive dessert experience. No matter how you choose, this Strawberry Cream Puffs Recipe promises to impress.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
You can store unfilled cream puffs in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days to maintain their crispness. Avoid filling them ahead of time, as moisture from the cream and strawberries will soften the pastry shell.
Freezing
Cream puffs freeze beautifully before filling. Arrange the baked puffs on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature, then fill just before serving for best results.
Reheating
To restore some crispness after storing, warm the cream puffs in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 5 minutes, being careful not to overheat. Let them cool before filling to prevent wilting the whipped cream and strawberries.
FAQs
Can I use frozen strawberries for this Strawberry Cream Puffs Recipe?
While fresh strawberries are ideal for texture and juiciness, you can use frozen strawberries if you thaw them thoroughly and drain any excess liquid to avoid soggy puffs. Slicing them just before filling is recommended to preserve freshness.
What if I don’t have heavy cream? Can I use something else?
Heavy cream is best for whipping to soft peaks, but if unavailable, you could try whipping chilled coconut cream for a dairy-free alternative. Just note the flavor and texture will vary slightly from the traditional recipe.
How can I make the cream puffs extra crispy?
Ensure you bake the puffs long enough until they are deep golden brown and resist opening the oven door early. After baking, poke a small hole in the puffs to let steam escape, improving crispness as they cool.
Is this Strawberry Cream Puffs Recipe suitable for beginners?
Absolutely! Though the pastry might seem intimidating, each step is straightforward, and the ingredients minimal. With a bit of attention to detail, even first-timers can master these delightful cream puffs.
Can I add other fruits instead of strawberries?
Definitely! Fresh raspberries, blueberries, or sliced peaches can be great alternatives or additions. Just be mindful of the moisture content as softer fruits may soften the pastry faster.
Final Thoughts
There is something truly special about making your own strawberry cream puffs from scratch—it’s not only delicious but also incredibly rewarding. This Strawberry Cream Puffs Recipe combines simple ingredients into a show-stopping dessert that’s perfect for sharing or savoring on your own. Give it a go and watch how the combination of crisp pastry, fluffy cream, and fresh berries turns any day into something extraordinary.
Print
Strawberry Cream Puffs Recipe
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 10 cream puffs
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French-American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight in these airy and elegant Strawberry Cream Puffs featuring classic choux pastry filled with luscious whipped cream and fresh sliced strawberries. Perfect for a light dessert or special occasion, this French-American treat combines a crispy golden shell with a creamy, sweet, and fruity filling that will impress any guest.
Ingredients
Dough
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup water
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 large eggs
Filling
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 3 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, sliced
Optional
- Extra powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare baking sheet: Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and facilitate easy cleanup.
- Prepare choux dough: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine butter, water, and salt. Bring to a rolling boil, then reduce heat. Immediately stir in the flour all at once, stirring vigorously until the mixture forms a smooth ball and pulls away from the sides of the pan. This step is crucial to forming the choux pastry base.
- Cool dough slightly: Remove the pan from heat and let the dough cool for about 5 minutes. This prevents the eggs from cooking when added.
- Incorporate eggs: Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition until the dough is smooth, shiny, and slightly elastic. Proper beating will ensure the puffs rise correctly.
- Shape cream puffs: Drop tablespoon-sized mounds of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow room for expansion during baking.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 30–35 minutes or until the cream puffs are puffed and a beautiful golden brown color. Do not open the oven during baking to avoid collapse.
- Cool: Remove from the oven and transfer the puffs to a wire rack to cool completely, ensuring they maintain their crisp texture.
- Whip cream filling: While the puffs cool, whip the heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until soft peaks form, creating a sweet and airy filling.
- Assemble cream puffs: Slice the cooled cream puffs horizontally in half. Spoon or pipe whipped cream onto the bottom halves, then add a generous layer of sliced strawberries. Replace the top halves over the filling.
- Serve: Dust the assembled cream puffs lightly with powdered sugar for an elegant finish. Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Prepare cream puffs in advance and store unfilled in an airtight container to keep them crisp; fill with cream and strawberries just before serving.
- For variation, try flavored whipped cream like chocolate or coffee, or drizzle melted chocolate over the filled puffs.
- Ensure eggs are beaten well and dough cooled slightly to avoid scrambled eggs in the dough.
- Do not open the oven door during baking to prevent deflation of the puffs.
