DessertsSouth African DessertsDurban Indian

Cream Puffs

Make authentic Cream Puffs with this foolproof recipe. Packed with rich traditional flavor, step-by-step photos, and cooking tips by Denisiya on EatMee Recipes.

4.9·63 reader ratings
Rate this recipe:
D
By DenisiyaPublished on May 29, 2020
Cream Puffs
⏱️
Prep Time15 mins
🍳
Cook Time20 mins
⌛
Total Time35 mins
🍽️
ServingsMakes 6 Medium Puffs
Denisiya on YouTube @eatmeerecipes
@eatmeerecipesOfficial Channel

Cook Along With Denisiya on YouTube

Join over 60,000+ home chefs for weekly authentic Durban Indian cook-alongs, Instant Pot masterclasses, and family heritage recipes.

Subscribe (Free)60,000+ Subscribers • 900+ Videos

This Recipe Makes 6 Medium Puffs

Cream Puffs are absolutely delicious & ever so easy to prepare. This recipe uses puff pastry.which is baked & then filled with whipped cream.

Homemade puff pastry is always a winner but nowadays everyone needs the easy way out so I have used a store bought puff pastry for this recipe.

As a kid, I used to love visiting the local bakeries & would always bag one of these Cream Puffs. I love it with the addition of nuts, although this can be omitted from the recipe.

🥗

Ingredients

Scale:
Base Yield: Makes 6 Medium Puffs
Advertisement
👩‍🍳

Step-by-Step Instructions

32 Steps
  1. Step 1

    Firstly, make sure that the puff pastry is defrosted.

  2. Step 2

    Preheat oven to 180° Celsius or 356° Fahrenheit.

  3. Step 3

    Place a glass bowl & the whisks into the freezer until ready to use.

    Step 3 visual guide
  4. Step 4

    Dust some flour onto a baking pan & set aside.

    Step 4 visual guide
  5. Step 5

    Finely chop mixed nuts or any nuts of your choice (this step may be omitted) & spread it into a flat plate or casserole until ready to use.

    Step 5 visual guide
  6. Step 6

    Next, crack an egg into a bowl.

    Step 6 visual guide
  7. Step 7

    Beat well using a fork & set aside.

    Step 7 visual guide
  8. Step 8

    Thereafter, sprinkle some flour onto a working surface & place the puff pastry over it.

    Step 8 visual guide
  9. Step 9

    Next, trim off any uneven edges & divide into equal squares – I got six medium sized squares. They may also be shaped to your preference.

    Step 9 visual guide
  10. Step 10

    Take the opposite ends of the square pastry & fold diagonally across to create a triangle shape.

    Step 10 visual guide
  11. Step 11

    Next, brush the tops of all the triangular shaped puff pastry with the beaten egg. Milk may be used instead of the egg but if the nuts are being used then I recommend using the egg wash as this will act as an adhesive for the nuts.

    Step 11 visual guide
  12. Step 12

    Gently place the egg wash side of the pastry into the plate/casserole of nuts & press down slightly.

    Step 12 visual guide
  13. Step 13

    Carefully lift up the pastry & it should be coated with the nuts.

    Step 13 visual guide
  14. Step 14

    Place the nut coated pastries onto the floured baking tray – nut side up.

    Step 14 visual guide
  15. Step 15

    Bake for 20 minutes until golden.

    Step 15 visual guide
  16. Step 16

    Remove them from the hot baking pan & set aside onto a plate or cooling rack & allow for them to completely cool down.

    Step 16 visual guide
  17. Step 17

    Whilst the pastries are cooling, begin preparing the whipped cream.

    Step 17 visual guide
  18. Step 18

    Add the gelatin or china grass powder (agar agar) to a microwavable bowl. I used china grass powder as I find it works better than gelatin. This is used to stabilize the cream.

    Step 18 visual guide
  19. Step 19

    Pour in the water & give it a quick stir.

    Step 19 visual guide
  20. Step 20

    Microwave for 20 seconds.

    Step 20 visual guide
  21. Step 21

    Give it a mix & it should be of a thicker consistency.

    Step 21 visual guide
  22. Step 22

    Next, remember the bowl & the whisks that were in the freezer? It’s time to bring them out.

  23. Step 23

    Pour the cream into the cold bowl.

    Step 23 visual guide
  24. Step 24

    Add in the icing (confectionery) sugar.

    Step 24 visual guide
  25. Step 25

    Whisk using the cold whisks until combined. Thereafter, add in the gelatin or china grass mixture (agar agar).

    Step 25 visual guide
  26. Step 26

    Whisk until stiff peaks form.

    Step 26 visual guide
  27. Step 27

    Add the whipped cream to a piping bag or syringe. Alternatively, the cream may be spooned in.

    Step 27 visual guide
  28. Step 28

    By now the pastries should be cooled. Take a serrated knife & gently cut the pastries in halves, starting at the pointy edge – but not all the way through – it should create a flap.

    Step 28 visual guide
  29. Step 29

    Fill the openings of the pastries with the whipped cream.

    Step 29 visual guide
  30. Step 30

    Dust some icing (confectionery) sugar over using a sifter.

    Step 30 visual guide
  31. Step 31

    These Cream Puffs are ready to be devoured.

    Step 31 visual guide
  32. Step 32

    They are best eaten whilst fresh & any leftover whipped cream can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week.

    Step 32 visual guide
Video Tutorial

Watch How It's Made

Follow along with Denisiya's step-by-step video guide for Cream Puffs.

Advertisement

Frequently Asked Questions & Cooking Tips

Expert kitchen guidance and troubleshooting for making the best Cream Puffs

How should I store Cream Puffs to maintain freshness?

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 to 2 weeks. For milk-based sweetmeats like burfee or soji, refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 7 to 10 days.

Can I substitute butter with margarine or oil?

Pure butter or ghee provides the authentic rich aroma and texture characteristic of traditional Indian sweetmeats and bakes. Margarine can be used in a pinch, but butter delivers superior flavor.

Denisiya - Founder & Chef at EatMee Recipes
About the Creator

Meet Denisiya

Hi, I'm Denisiya! Food lover, recipe developer, and founder of EatMee Recipes. I specialize in authentic South African Durban Indian cuisine, comforting curries, and modern Instant Pot adaptations. Every recipe on this site is tested in my personal kitchen to ensure you get mouth-watering, foolproof results every time.

Comments & Community

2

Have you tried this recipe or have questions for Denisiya? Join the conversation below.

K
KESHNI MAHARAJ

These look so yummy, as do all of amazing recipes you share Please advise as to where in Durban I can get China grass powder from?

D
DenisiyaRecipe Creator

Thank you so much Keshni. You can find China grass powder at any local spice stores.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *