Lemon Cream Puffs
Lemon Cream Puffs are made with a classic, French pâte à choux pastry and filled with the most perfect, sweet lemon cream. These beautiful little puffs make a delicious dessert for spring and summer entertaining and celebrations.
Servings: 16 large cream puffs
Calories: 154kcal
Ingredients
Pâte à Choux Pastry
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 4 eggs
Lemon Cream Filling
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream * cold
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 lemon * zested
- 1 teaspoon fresh squeezed lemon juice
Instructions
Pâte à Choux Pastry
- Preheat your oven to 425°F.
- In a medium sauce pan, bring the water and butter to a boil, ensuring that the butter is fully melted.
- Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the flour and salt with a wooden or silicone spoon until a ball of dough forms.
- Transfer the dough ball to the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a whisk attachment.
- Add the eggs one at a time and beat on medium speed until each one is fully incorporated before adding the next.
- Spoon 1-2 tablespoons (1 for small or 2 for large puffs) of the batter onto an ungreased or Silpat-lined (recommended) baking sheet, about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes for smaller cream puffs, or until golden brown. Bake for 25-30 minutes for larger cream puffs.
- Remove the cream puffs from the oven, and with a toothpick or tip of a knife, poke a small hole into each one to allow the steam to escape and the centers to dry out as they cool.
- While the cream puffs are cooling, whip up the lemon cream.
Lemon Cream
- Place your mixing bowl and whisk attachment into the freezer for 15-20 minutes before you make the lemon cream.
- Remove the mixing bowl and whisk attachment from the freezer and add the heavy cream, sugar, lemon zest and lemon juice to the bowl.
- Beat on high for 5-6 minutes or until stiff peaks form.
- Once the cream puffs are fully cool, either pipe the lemon cream into the centers by poking a hole through the puff, or cut the tops off and fill with the cream. Once filled, replace the top.
- Add a light dusting of powdered sugar and/or a sprinkle of extra lemon zest, if desired.
Video
Notes
Tips and Techniques
- Use fresh squeezed lemon juice for the best flavor. You can add more or less lemon zest and juice, depending on how light or strong you want the lemon flavor of the filling to be. You can also use lemon pudding instead of lemon cream.
- Put your mixing bowl and whisk attachment in the freezer for 15-20 minutes before making the lemon cream. This helps keep everything very cold so that the whipped cream forms stiff peaks.
- Store cream puffs in an air-tight container in the refrigerator. Cream puffs are best when fresh, however, if properly stored they can be enjoyed for up to 2-3 days.
Nutrition
Serving: 1cream puff | Calories: 154kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 77mg | Sodium: 168mg | Potassium: 44mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 455IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 1mg