Heavenly Cream Puff Cake Recipe: A Dreamy Dessert Delight
Whipping up a dreamy cream puff cake might sound like a culinary adventure reserved for professional pastry chefs.
This delectable dessert combines the elegance of classic french pastry with surprisingly simple techniques.
Light, airy layers will dance across your taste buds with each delightful bite.
Delicate choux pastry creates an incredible foundation that melts in your mouth.
Rich custard filling adds a luxurious dimension to this spectacular treat.
Imagine impressing guests with a dessert that looks complex but comes together effortlessly.
You can master this recipe and become the star baker among your social circle.
What Makes Cream Puff Cake a Standout
Ingredients That Go into Cream Puff Cake
Base Ingredients:Filling Ingredients:Topping and Garnish Ingredients:How to Build a Light and Airy Cream Puff Cake
Step 1: Fire Up the Oven
Crank your oven to 400F (200C). Generously coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
Step 2: Create the Magic Dough
Toss butter and water into a medium saucepan. Bring to a rolling boil over medium heat. Yank the pan off the stove and dump in flour, stirring until a smooth ball emerges.
Step 3: Egg Dancing
Let the dough cool down a bit. Crack eggs in one at a time, whisking vigorously after each addition. Watch the dough transform into a silky, glossy masterpiece.
Step 4: Baking Brilliance
Spread the dough evenly across the prepared baking dish. Slide into the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until it puffs up and turns golden brown. Let it cool completely.
Step 5: Cream Cheese Conquest
Grab a large bowl and whip the cream cheese until it’s velvety smooth.
Step 6: Pudding Power
Slowly incorporate:Beat until the mixture becomes thick and luxurious.
Step 7: Whipped Topping Wonder
Gently fold in whipped topping to create a light, airy texture.
Step 8: Blanket the Crust
Spread the creamy mixture evenly over the cooled crust.
Step 9: Chocolate Drizzle Drama
Unleash a cascade of chocolate syrup or melted chocolate across the top. Park the cake in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours to set.
Step 10: Serve and Celebrate
Slice into squares of pure delight. Optional: Dust with a snowfall of powdered sugar if you’re feeling fancy.
Tips for Perfect Layers and Flavor
How to Chill and Store Cream Puff Cake
What Tastes Great with Cream Puff Cake
Fun Ways to Remix Cream Puff Cake
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Cream Puff Cake Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 12 1x
Description
Silky French cream puff cake offers a luxurious journey through delicate layers of choux pastry and velvety custard cream. Parisian bakery magic comes alive with each elegant slice, inviting dessert enthusiasts to savor a classic French culinary masterpiece.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
- 1 cup (125 g) all-purpose flour
- 4 large eggs
- ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter
- 1 cup (240 ml) water
Dairy and Filling Ingredients:
- 8 ounces (225 g) cream cheese (softened)
- 2 cups (480 ml) cold milk
- 1 cup (240 ml) whipped topping (or homemade whipped cream)
- 2 packages (3.4 ounces each) instant vanilla pudding mix
Topping and Optional Ingredients:
- ½ cup (120 ml) chocolate syrup or melted chocolate
- Optional: Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Prepare the oven environment by heating to 400F (200C) and thoroughly coating a 9×13-inch baking dish with a light grease layer to prevent sticking.
- Create the foundational dough by combining butter and water in a medium saucepan, bringing the mixture to a rapid boil over medium heat, then immediately removing from heat and vigorously stirring in flour until a cohesive dough ball forms.
- Allow the dough to cool slightly, then incorporate eggs individually, thoroughly mixing after each addition to ensure a smooth, glossy texture that will provide structural integrity to the pastry base.
- Distribute the prepared dough evenly across the greased baking dish, maintaining a consistent thickness to promote uniform baking and golden coloration.
- Transfer the dish to the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, watching for a puffy, golden-brown surface that indicates proper cooking, then remove and allow complete cooling.
- In a large mixing bowl, transform the cream cheese into a silky smooth consistency through vigorous beating.
- Gradually introduce milk and pudding mix to the cream cheese, continuing to blend until the mixture achieves a thick, luxurious cream with no lumps.
- Gently incorporate whipped topping into the cream mixture, folding delicately to maintain the light, airy texture.
- Once the pastry base has completely cooled, spread the cream filling in an even, generous layer across the entire surface.
- Enhance the dessert’s visual appeal and flavor by drizzling chocolate syrup or melted chocolate in an artistic pattern over the cream filling.
- Refrigerate the assembled dessert for a minimum of 2 hours to allow complete setting and flavor melding.
- When ready to serve, slice into neat squares and optionally dust with a light sprinkle of powdered sugar for an elegant finishing touch.
Notes
- Customize the Base: Experiment with different flavors by substituting vanilla pudding mix with chocolate, pistachio, or butterscotch for a unique twist on the classic cream puff cake.
- Make It Gluten-Free: Replace regular flour with gluten-free all-purpose flour blend to accommodate those with wheat sensitivities without compromising the cake’s delicate texture.
- Control Sweetness Level: Reduce the sugar content by using sugar-free pudding mix and low-fat whipped topping, perfect for those watching their sugar intake or managing diabetes.
- Enhance Presentation: Create elegant individual servings by using a muffin tin instead of a baking dish, offering a stylish and portion-controlled dessert option for gatherings or parties.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Daves Miller
Contributing Chef & Culinary Educator
Expertise
Education
Sullivan University, Louisville, Kentucky
White Mountains Community College, Berlin, New Hampshire
Daves is the friendly face guiding you through flavorful, fuss-free recipes at Picture Perfect Meals.
He studied culinary arts at Sullivan University and embraced Baking and Pastry Arts at White Mountains Community College. Daves specializes in comforting meals with vibrant flavors, highlighting fresh, seasonal ingredients.