Mom’s Famous Cream Puffs

Light, airy cream puffs filled with a rich and fluffy vanilla cream filling. These homemade pastries are perfect for parties, holidays, or a delicious sweet treat!

Ingredients

For the Cream Puffs

• ½ cup butter (1 stick / 8 tablespoons)
• 1 cup water
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 4 large eggs

Mom’s Famous Cream Filling

• 1 pint heavy whipping cream (2 cups)
• 1 package (3.4 ounces) instant vanilla pudding mix
• ⅓ cup milk

For Topping

• Powdered sugar

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a medium saucepan, combine the butter, water, and vanilla extract. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
3. Add the flour all at once and stir continuously with a wooden spoon until the mixture forms a smooth ball and pulls away from the sides of the pan.
4. Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow the dough to cool for several minutes.
5. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition until the dough becomes smooth and glossy.
6. Drop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each one.
7. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the cream puffs are golden brown and puffed.
8. Remove from the oven and allow them to cool completely.

Make the Filling

1. Add the heavy whipping cream, instant vanilla pudding mix, and milk to a large mixing bowl.
2. Beat with an electric mixer until the mixture becomes thick, fluffy, and resembles whipped cream.

Assemble

1. Once the cream puffs have completely cooled, carefully slice them in half.
2. Pipe or spoon the vanilla cream filling into the bottom half of each puff.
3. Place the top half back on each cream puff.
4. Dust generously with powdered sugar before serving.

Serving

Serve immediately or keep refrigerated until ready to enjoy.

Makes approximately 16 cream puffs.