Easy Cream Puffs with Simple Ingredients – No Fancy Tools Needed!

Here’s a simple and foolproof recipe for making **cream puffs** at home with basic ingredients and no special tools!

---

### **Easy Cream Puffs Recipe**

#### **Ingredients**:
**For the Choux Pastry**:
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 4 large eggs

**For the Filling**:
- 1 cup heavy cream (or whipping cream)
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

**Optional Topping**:
- Powdered sugar for dusting
- Melted chocolate for drizzling

---

#### **Instructions**:

##### 1. Make the Choux Pastry:
1. **Preheat oven**: Set to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. **Boil the base**: In a medium saucepan, combine butter, water, and salt. Bring to a boil over medium heat until the butter is melted.
3. **Add flour**: Reduce heat to low, add the flour all at once, and stir vigorously with a wooden spoon until the mixture forms a smooth ball and pulls away from the sides of the pan (1-2 minutes).
4. **Cool slightly**: Remove from heat and let it cool for 5 minutes.
5. **Add eggs**: Add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition until the dough is smooth and shiny.

##### 2. Shape and Bake:
1. **Pipe or spoon dough**: Use a spoon or a plastic bag with the tip cut off to drop 2-inch mounds of dough onto the prepared baking sheet. Space them about 2 inches apart.
2. **Bake**: Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until puffed and golden brown. Avoid opening the oven during baking.
3. **Cool**: Remove from oven and let cool completely before filling.

##### 3. Prepare the Cream Filling:
1. **Whip cream**: In a mixing bowl, whip heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla until stiff peaks form.

##### 4. Assemble the Cream Puffs:
1. **Cut or poke**: Cut the tops off the cooled puffs or poke a small hole on the side.
2. **Fill**: Spoon or pipe the whipped cream into the hollow centers.
3. **Top**: Replace tops if cut off. Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with melted chocolate, if desired.

---

### **Tips**:
- If you don’t have a piping bag, a resealable plastic bag with the tip cut off works perfectly.
- For added flavor, you can use custard or pastry cream instead of whipped cream.
- Store filled cream puffs in the refrigerator and consume within 1-2 days.

Enjoy your light, airy, and delicious cream puffs! 🍰