Christmas Puffs
Ingredients
For the Pistachio Pastry Cream:
- 1 1/2 cups milk divided
- 1/3 cup pistachio paste
- 1 can 14 oz. Eagle Brand® Sweetened Condensed Milk (396 grams)
- 4 large egg yolks
- 3 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
For the Craquelin Top:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter at room temperature (113 grams)
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar 100 grams
- 1 cup cake flour 127 grams
- Red food coloring
For the Choux Pastry:
- 1 cup water 240 ml
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter 113 grams
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 cup all-purpose flour 127 grams
- 4 large eggs
For Topping:
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 cup white chocolate chips
- Gold leaves
- Strawberries
Instructions
For the Pistachio Pastry Cream:
- Start by heating 1 1/4 cups of milk with pistachio paste until it just starts to bubble. Set aside to infuse.
- Whisk egg yolks with sweetened condensed milk.
- Mix remaining milk with cornstarch and add to egg mixture.
- Slowly pour hot milk into egg mixture while whisking.
- Cook mixture over medium heat until thickened, then stir in butter.
- Chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours.
For the Craquelin Top:
- Beat butter until creamy, then add powdered sugar and mix in food coloring.
- Roll out dough between parchment paper and cut out rounds. Freeze until ready to use.
For the Choux Pastry:
- Bring water, butter, salt, and sugar to a boil, then add flour and mix until dough forms.
- Let dough cool, then mix in eggs until smooth.
- Pipe dough onto baking sheets and top with craquelin rounds if using.
- Bake until golden brown.
To Fill:
- Pipe Pistachio Pastry Cream into each puff using a small round tip.
To Decorate:
- Whip cream until stiff peaks form and pipe onto puffs.
- Top with strawberries for Santa hats or dip puffs in melted green chocolate and add gold leaf.
Notes
- These puffs are best enjoyed the day they’re made, so indulge right away!
- You can prepare the pastry cream ahead of time or even freeze it.
- Keep any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge to maintain freshness.