Chocolate Cream Puffs With Almond Cream Food

ALMOND CREAM-PUFF RING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Lightly grease and flour a cookie sheet, or use parchment paper. Using a dinner plate as a guide, trace a circle on the sheet.
• In 2 quart saucepan over medium heat, combine water, butter, and salt. Bring to a boil. With a wooden spoon, vigorously stir in flour all at once, until mixture forms a ball, and leaves the sides of the pan. Remove from heat, and beat in the eggs one at a time, until mixture is smooth. Drop batter into 10 mounds inside the circle traced on the cookie sheet, to form a ring.
• Bake in preheated oven for 40 minutes, or until golden brown. Turn off oven, leaving ring in for another 15 minutes. Remove from oven, and cool on wire rack. When cool, slice in half horizontally, and place bottom ring on serving plate. Spoon Almond Cream Filling on bottom ring, then replace top ring. Chill in refrigerator.
• To make Almond Cream Filling: Prepare pudding according to instructions on package, but use only 1 1/4 cups milk. Fold in whipped cream, and 1 teaspoon almond extract.
• To make Chocolate Glaze: In a double boiler over hot (not boiling) water, combine chocolate chips, 1 tablespoon butter, 1 1/2 teaspoons milk, and 1 1/2 teaspoons corn syrup. Heat until melted and smooth, stirring occasionally. Spoon over the top of chilled ring.

CHOCOLATE CREAM PUFFS (WITH CHOCOLATE FILLING AND GANACHE TOPPING)

Steps:

• In a medium heat-proof bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, sugar, and cornstarch. Place the bowl next to the stove.
• In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, bring the milk and heavy cream to a simmer over medium-high heat. Cook for 2 minutes, whisking constantly.
• Decrease the heat to low and whisk about 1/2 cup of the hot milk into the egg yolk mixture to slowly temper it. Then, slowly whisk the tempered egg yolk mixture into the saucepan and cook, whisking constantly, until the filling is thick and coats the back of a spoon, about 2 minutes.
• Remove from the heat and stir in the chocolate, cocoa powder, vanilla, and salt until smooth and fully incorporated, 1-2 minutes.
• Pour the custard into a strainer placed on a medium heat-proof bowl, and use a spatula to press the cream through the strainer into the bowl. Cover with plastic wrap to prevent it forming a skin. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
• Preheat the oven to 375°F (191°C). Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside. Also, prepare the egg wash by combining the egg and water in a small bowl and set aside.
• In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, bring the water, butter, sugar, and salt to a boil over medium-high heat.
• Stir in the flour with a wooden spoon and cook for about 2-3 minutes until a film forms on the bottom of the pan. Stir constantly while cooking.
• Then transfer the dough to a large heat-proof bowl and let cool for about 2 minutes.
• Still using the wooden spoon, stir in one egg at a time. You will notice that after every egg, the dough will separate. Keep stirring until the dough comes together again before adding the next egg. Repeat until all the eggs are incorporated. Once all eggs are incorporated, the dough will be sticky but firm enough to hold a stiff peak.
• Transfer the dough to a piping bag, pipe 1.5" (3.5-4cm) circles on the 2 prepared baking sheets, and spin the tips. You can stick a bit of dough to the baking sheets underneath the parchment paper to hold the paper in place and make piping easier. Press down the tips of the dough with wet fingers to even them.
• Lightly brush with egg wash and bake one sheet at a time for about 30-32 minutes until puffed and golden brown. Don't open the oven while the choux pastry is baking, or it will collapse. Remove from the oven and let cool to room temperature, about 1 hour.
• Transfer the filling to a piping bag fitted with a round tip. Using the tip of a sharp knife, cut a little X into the bottom of each choux pastry, then pipe the filling into the puffs. Set aside.
• Place the chopped chocolate in a large heatproof bowl, pour the hot whipping cream over the chocolate and let rest for 1-2 minutes. Stir until smooth and the chocolate has completely melted. Add the corn syrup and stir until combined. Let rest for about 5 minutes.
• Dip the tops of the filled puffs into the glaze and place them on a wire rack to let dry. Store leftover cream puffs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

CHOCOLATE CREAM PUFFS

Steps:

• In a heavy saucepan over medium heat, bring water, butter and salt to a boil. Add the flour and cocoa all at once; stir until a smooth ball forms. Remove from the heat; let stand for 5 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat until smooth and shiny., Drop by heaping tablespoonfuls 3 in. apart onto greased baking sheets. Bake at 400° for 30-35 minutes or until set and browned. Remove to wire racks. Immediately split puffs open; remove and discard soft dough from inside. Cool puffs completely., In a small bowl, beat the cream cheese and sugar until fluffy. Fold in whipped cream and strawberries. Fill bottom halves of puffs; replace tops. Serve immediately.

CHOCOLATE-FILLED CREAM PUFFS

Steps:

• In a saucepan over medium heat, bring water and butter to a boil. Add flour and salt all at once; stir until a smooth ball forms. Remove from the heat; let stand 5 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each. Beat until smooth. , Cover a baking sheet with foil; grease foil. Drop batter into six mounds onto foil. Bake at 400° for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 350°; bake 30 minutes longer. Remove puffs to a wire rack. Immediately cut a slit in each for steam to escape. , In a bowl, beat cream until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar and cocoa, beating until almost stiff. Split puffs and remove soft dough. Add filling; replace tops. Melt chocolate and butter; stir in sugar and water. Drizzle over puffs. Chill.

FRANGIPANE: ALMOND CREAM

Steps:

• When you are ready to use it, fill your pastries, tart, or tartlets and bake.

CHOCOLATE CREAM PUFFS WITH ALMOND CREAM

Steps:

• ALMOND CREAM: In a nonreactive saucepan, combine the almond paste, 1 cup half-and-half and sugar. Whisk to dissolve. Place over medium heat and bring to a simmer.
• In a small bowl, combine the egg yolks, cornstarch and remaining 1/4 cup half-and-half. Whisk well.
• Remove the milk from the heat and add some of the hot liquid to the egg mixture and mix well. Add the egg mixture back to the simmering milk and place over the heat.
• Bring to a boil, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, whisking constantly. Remove from the heat and stir in the butter. Pour into a bowl and place a piece of plastic wrap directly on top of the pastry cream. Cool completely before using.
• CHOCOLATE PUFFS: Preheat oven to 400°F and lightly coat baking sheet with cooking spray. Set aside.
• In a medium sized saucepan over medium heat, combine water, butter, sugar and stir until butter is melted.
• Add flour and cocoa powder all at once; stir vigorously until mixture pulls away from side of pan. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
• Place or pipe 1/4 cup of mixture onto prepared baking sheet, spacing 2" apart. Bake for 30-40 minutes until puffed and firm. Allow to cool to room temperature before proceeding.
• ASSEMBLY: Using a pastry bag with a star tip, fill bag with Almond cream. Using the tip, pierce the side of a chocolate puff and begin squeezing almond cream into the center, slowly removing the tip and ending with a swirl as it exits the puff. Repeat with remaining puffs. (You can also opt to cut them in half horizontally and fill with the almond cream, then replace the tops like a sandwich).
• Place on a silver platter (metal will help keep them cool), cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate. Remove plastic wrap and dust with powdered sugar just before serving.

CHOCOLATE CREAM PUFFS

Steps:

• In a heavy saucepan over medium heat, bring water, butter and salt to a boil Add flour and cocoa all at once, stir until a smooth ball forms.
• Remove from the heat, let stand 5 minutes.
• Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
• Beat until smooth and shiny.
• Drop by heaping tablespoonfuls 3 inch apart onto greased baking sheets.
• Bake at 400 degrees for 30-35 minutes or until set and and brown.
• Remove to wire racks.
• Immediately split puffs oven, remove and discard soft dough from inside.
• Cool puffs completely.
• In a medium mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and sugar until fluffy.
• Fold in whipped cream and strawberries Fill bottom halfs of puffs.
• Replace tops and serve immediately.

CHOCOLATE CREAM PUFFS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease a baking sheet lightly with some shortening. Put beaters into the freezer to chill.
• Combine water and shortening in a saucepan and bring to a rolling boil over medium-high heat. Add flour, cocoa powder, sugar, and salt all at once and reduce heat to low. Stir mixture vigorously until it leaves the sides of the pan and forms a ball, about 1 minute. Remove from heat and cool for 5 minutes.
• Beat in eggs, one at a time, with chilled beaters, beating vigorously after each addition until batter is smooth and glossy. Drop dough into 6 mounds on the prepared baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven until puffed and dry, 25 to 30 minutes.
• Remove from the oven and pierce the side of each puff with a knife to allow steam to escape. Transfer onto a wire rack to cool completely, abut 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, combine sugar, cocoa powder and whipping cream in a bowl for the filling. Beat with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form. Refrigerate until needed.
• Cut cooled puffs in half horizontally. Fill with cocoa whipped cream.
• For the glaze, pour whipping cream into a small pot and heat until hot. Remove from heat and stir in chocolate chips until melted. Allow to cool slightly. Drizzle chocolate glaze over the cream puffs and refrigerate until serving.

CHOCOLATE-HAZELNUT CREAM PUFFS

Steps:

• For filling, in a small bowl, beat cream cheese and 2 tablespoons sugar until smooth. Gradually beat in Nutella and cream until blended. Stir in nuts. Cover and refrigerate., In another bowl, combine the flour, cocoa and remaining sugar. In a large saucepan, bring water, butter and salt to a boil. Add flour mixture all at once and stir until a smooth ball forms. Remove from the heat; let stand for 5 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Continue beating until mixture is smooth and shiny. , Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls 2 in. apart onto greased baking sheets. Bake at 400° for 20-25 minutes or until set and browned. Remove to wire racks. Immediately split puffs open; remove and discard soft dough from inside. Cool completely. , Spoon filling into cream puffs; replace tops. Dust with confectioners' sugar. Refrigerate leftovers.

ALMOND-CREAM PUFF RING

Steps:

• Cover a baking sheet with foil; grease the foil. Trace a 12-in. circle onto foil; set aside. In a large saucepan, bring the water, butter and salt to a boil. Add flour all at once and stir until a smooth ball forms. Remove from the heat; let stand for 5 minutes. Add egg, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Continue beating until mixture is smooth and shiny., Drop batter by rounded tablespoonfuls along the inside of the circle (mounds should be slightly touching). Bake at 400° for 40-45 minutes or until golden brown. Lift foil and transfer to a wire rack. Immediately cut a slit in the side of each puff to allow steam to escape; cool. Carefully cut ring in half horizontally and set top aside; remove soft dough from inside with a fork. Transfer to a serving plate., In a bowl, whisk the milk, pudding mix and extract for 2 minutes. Chill for 5 minutes or until thickened. Fold in whipped cream. Spread over bottom of ring; replace top. In a microwave, melt chocolate chips and butter; stir until smooth. Stir in corn syrup and milk. Drizzle over ring. Refrigerate until serving.

CHOCOLATE CREAM PUFFS WITH HAZELNUT FILLING (PAULA DEEN)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• In a medium saucepan, combine water, butter, and salt. Bring to a rolling boil over medium-high heat. Using a wooden spoon, beat in flour, cocoa, and cinnamon, stirring constantly, until mixture forms a ball. Remove pan from heat, and let cool for 5 minutes.
• Beat in eggs, one at a time, at medium speed with an electric mixer until mixture is smooth.
• Spoon or pipe dough into 10 (2-inch) mounds onto prepared baking sheet. Bake for 30 to 33 minutes or until puffed and golden brown. Set aside to cool.
• Cut cream puffs in half horizontally. Remove soft dough from inside. Spoon Nutella into bottoms of cream puffs; top each evenly with strawberries, and sprinkle with hazelnuts. Cover with tops of cream puffs. Garnish with fresh mint leaves, if desired.
• Note about Cream Puffs (Pate a Choux) - The Pâte à choux dough is baked immediately in a well preheated oven to ensure the greatest expansion and lightness. When baked, the starches in the flour and proteins in the egg coagulate and eventually brown on the outside. During baking, the crust traps steam inside, generated from the moisture in its ingredients and hot air from the oven, plus leavening from the beaten eggs. It is this principle, that causes them to become inflated, hollow and stay puffy. A properly baked choux retains its puffy shape, with a hollow interior with an outside that is crisp and fairly dry, with an all over golden color. When broken apart, it should have a slightly moist crumb on the inside. However, if they are removed from the oven too soon, the structure of the shell has not solidified, and it will collapse. However, when you think they are done take one out of the oven and check it by breaking open and checking the interior walls. If wet and eggy, return to the oven as necessary. Remove when done and cool on a wire rack.

CHOCOLATE CREAM PUFFS WITH STRAWBERRY TRUFFLE FILLING

Steps:

• Grease a baking sheet and preheat oven to 400°F.
• In a medium saucepan, melt butter in the boiling water.
• Add flour, cocoa, sugar and salt while stirring vigorously.
• Cook until mixture forms a ball that won't separate.
• Remove from heat and cool for 10 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, beating after each addition until smooth.
• Drop about 1/4 cup batter for each puff on a greased baking sheet and space puffs about 3 inches apart.
• Bake for 25-30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, melt chocolate chips in top of a double boiler.
• In a separate bowl, beat cream cheese and jam until smooth.
• Beat in melted chocolate then stir in whipped topping.
• When puffs have been removed from oven, allow them to cool for a few minutes, then split them in half and remove any soft dough inside.
• Cool completely then fill with cream cheese mixture.