Here’s a delicious recipe for Lemon Cream Puffs—light, airy pastries filled with tangy lemon cream. Perfect for a refreshing dessert or afternoon treat.
Ingredients (Makes ~12 puffs)
For the Choux Pastry
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) water
- 1/2 cup (115 g) unsalted butter
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 cup (125 g) all-purpose flour
- 4 large eggs
For the Lemon Cream Filling
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
- 3 tbsp powdered sugar
- 2 tsp lemon zest
- 2–3 tbsp lemon juice (adjust to taste)
Optional Topping
- Powdered sugar for dusting
- Melted white chocolate drizzle
Instructions
1. Make the Choux Pastry
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium saucepan, combine water, butter, salt, and sugar. Heat until butter melts and the mixture boils.
- Remove from heat and add flour all at once. Stir vigorously until a smooth dough forms and pulls away from the pan.
- Let dough cool 5 minutes, then beat in eggs one at a time until smooth and glossy.
2. Pipe and Bake
- Transfer dough to a piping bag or use a spoon to drop small mounds (~2 inches) onto the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake 20 minutes at 400°F (200°C), then reduce heat to 350°F (175°C) and bake another 10–15 minutes until golden brown and puffed.
- Cool completely on a wire rack.
3. Prepare Lemon Cream Filling
- In a chilled bowl, whip heavy cream with powdered sugar until soft peaks form.
- Gently fold in lemon zest and lemon juice. Adjust sweetness and tang to taste.
4. Assemble the Puffs
- Slice cooled puffs in half horizontally.
- Pipe or spoon lemon cream into the bottom half, then cover with the top half.
- Optional: dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with melted white chocolate.
Tips
- Crispier shells: Avoid opening the oven during baking to prevent collapsing.
- Extra tangy filling: Add 1–2 tsp lemon curd to the whipped cream.
- Make ahead: Bake shells in advance and store in an airtight container; fill just before serving.
If you want, I can also give a mini lemon cream puff version that’s bite-sized and perfect for parties or dessert platters.
Do you want me to provide that version?
