cream puffs

these little nuggets of sweet, yummy goodness may seem intimidating to make to a novice baker. i was almost half execting failure the first time i made these but was pleasantly surprised (and, if i may say so, quite impressed at myself) at how easy it is to make. it's been more than 15 years since the first time i tried this recipe* and can't count how many batches i have made since but i still can't help get excited each time i watch how the batter puffs to form delicate, heavenly clouds of flour, eggs and butter.

ingredients:
cream puff pastry
1 cup water
1/2 cup butter
1 cup all purpose flour
4 eggs

pre-heat oven to 400 degrees
heat water and butter to a rolling boil in a saucepan
add flour all at once and stir vigorously over low heat to form a ball
remove from heat
beat in eggs one at a time
drop batter from a spoon onto ungreased baing sheet into mounds 3 inches apart
bake for 45-50 minutes or until puffed and golden brown
split cream puffs and fill with cream filling
drizzle with caramelied sugar (or nuttela!)

cream filling
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup all purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups milk
2 egg yolks, beaten
1 tsp vanilla

mix sugar, flour and salt in saucepan
blend in milk
cook over medium heat, stirring until it boils
remove from heat and stir in half of cream mixture into egg yolks
pour back in saucepan and stir
bring to boil
lower heat and stir for 10 minutes or until mixture coats spoon
cool, add vanilla and fill puffs

*Let's Cook with Nora by Nora Daza; 1969