Christmas baking continues- DIY Cream Puffs

In honour of Christmas I thought it would be nice to share all my christmas traditions and recipes. I know this has nothing to do with makeup or beauty however I love spending just as much time in the kitchen. Its another place that has no rules or boundaries which I love!

You can get creative just as you can with makeup except its food! Christmas is the time of year where goodies and treats are everywhere!! Not only is baking fun but giving treats is a great gift! this is my cream puff recipe, those of you who aren't familiar with what a cream puff or chouz a la creme, if you will, it is a choux pastry ball filled with whip cream, pastry cream, or ice cream. They can be decorated or left plain either way there fantastically delicious and a great treat to serve at your christmas shindig. 

Here's what you'll need :

• 2 (3.5 oz.) packages of instant vanilla pudding mix
• 2 Cups Heavy Cream a.k.a Whipping Cream
• 1 Cup milk
• Pastry bag (optional)

This is to make the pastry cream filling however you can just use Whipping Cream for you centre. I prefer to buy the Cream and whip it up myself just add 1/2 Cup of sugar and 1 tsp. Vanilla to the cream and whip until whipped cream. 

• 1/2 Cup Butter
• 1 Cup water
• 1/4 Tsp salt
• 1 Cup all purpose flour
• 4 eggs
• 1 Cup milk chocolate chips

1.) Mix together vanilla instant pudding mix, cream and milk. Cover and refrigerate to set. If your just using whip cream add 1/2 Cup sugar and 1 Tsp. vanilla to cream and whip until whipped cream. 

2.)Preheat oven to 425 F

3.) In a large pot, bring water and butter to a rolling boil. Turn off heat and stir in flour and salt until the mixture forms a ball. Transfer the dough mixture to a separate mixing bowl, however feel free to keep it in the pot off the heat if you don't want to dirty another dish, like me. 

4.) Using a hand mixer or wooden spoon, beat in eggs one at a time, mixing well after each egg.

5.) Drop tablespoon amounts of dough onto an un-greased baking sheet, bake for 20-25 minutes in a preheated oven. Until golden brown. Centers should be dry.

6.) When the shells are cool, either split and fill them with the pastry cream mixture/whipped cream. Or use a pastry bag to pipe the pudding mix into the shells.

7.) In a microwave safe bowl, microwave 1 cup chocolate chips for 2 minutes until the chocolate is completely melted. Dip the puffs into the chocolate for a chocolate cover. 

MMmhmmm Don't those look fantastic!!! I decided to jazz mine up a bit by melting white chocolate and drizzling it in soft lines overtop the chocolate. Like always I encourage you to get creative in the kitchen and experiment. Bring these along to your next christmas get together and have everyone amazed!

Stay tuned for more christmas festivities! its just around the corner.

xoxox

Relish