You will fall in love with these light and puffy pastry shells, filled with creamy tangy lemon curd filling, from your very first bite. They are so dreamy!
As much as I love my dainty little macarons, sometimes I just want quick and easy dessert. And most of the time these little creme puffs are exactly what I need.
I love them for their light and crispy exterior, creamy tangy filling. and undeniably pop-able nature. Seriously, I pop them into my mouth one after another promising to stop before each one. I’m worst when it comes to self-control!!
Creme puffs are so incredibly easy to make and requires just a few pantry ingredients. It’s magical to watch these little shells puff up in the oven, just like watching little ruffled feet form on french macarons. 🙂
I’ve tested these recipe numerous times, and came to the conclusion that water should be the base of the batter, unlike my classic eclair recipe, where I use half milk and half water. I realized that milk adds too much fat in this batter, which prevents the shells to puff up. This recipe is now tested and practically foolproof for you to enjoy.
To make the filling, I whipped up some heavy cream and folded it with lemon curd. This creates creamy, tangy, sweet perfection!
Have you ever made creme puffs before? What is your favorite filling?
Lemon Creme Puffs
Ingredients
For pastry shells:
- 4 tablespoons 55gr unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2/3 cup 80gr all-purpose flour
- 3 large eggs at room temperature
For Filling:
- 1/2 cup 120ml heavy cream
- 2/3 cup 180gr lemon curd*
- Powdered sugar for dusting optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper, or silicone mat.
- In a medium saucepan, combine 2/3 cup (150ml) of water, butter, sugar and salt and bring the mixture to a boil over medium high heat. Once the butter is melted and mixture is boiling, add the flour all at once, reduce the heat to medium. Using a wooden spoon, continuously stir the mixture. The dough will start to form into a ball. Keep mixing for another 3-4 minutes until light crust forms on the bottom of the pan.
- Transfer the dough into a mixing bowl with paddle attachment and mix it for a few minutes on low speed until the mixture is at room temperature. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. This will help to get egg absorbed into the dough quicker. The dough should not be too runny, yet not too thick. It should be just runny enough to fall back into a ribbon, as shown on the photo above.
- Transfer the batter into a pastry bag and pipe into 1.5-inch rounds couple inches apart. Level peaked tops with a wet fingertip, if needed.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, rotating the sheets top to bottom and back to front half way. The pastry shells should be golden brown, crispy and puffed up. (Note: If the creme puffs go flat as they come out of the oven, it means they are slightly undercooked and needs to be bake a bit longer. Simply put them back in the oven and bake for a few more minutes.) Transfer the shells onto a cooling rack to cool completely.
- To make the filling, whip the heavy cream until hard peaks form in a mixing bowl with whisk attachment. Fold in lemon curd and gently mix until smooth. Transfer the filling into a pastry bag with small round tip (I used Wilton #7).
- When ready to serve, pipe the filling into each pastry shell through a small hole on the side. (Mine usually have a small hole somewhere, but you can also make a small slit with a knife.) Alternatively, cut the pastry shells horizontally and fill the shell that way. Arrange the creme puffs on a platter and dust with powdered sugar, if desired.
Tips & Notes
Nutrition
I LOVE cream puffs!!! This is really yummy!!!! I once did a passion fruit cream puff and it was out of this world!!!! I am sure that same tartness in the lemons would work just as well!!! Brilliant!
OMG, passion fruit cream puffs sound amazing, Mila! I want that right now in my hands!
Lemon desserts are perfect for summer! This filling looks to die for 🙂
Agreed. Thank you, Medha!
These look so light and fluffy! I need to try them. 🙂
Yes, you do, Erin! They’re absolutely delicious! 😉
Shinee – I absolutely LOVE cream puffs and your version with the addition of lemon curd takes it over the top. Yum!!!
Thank you, Erin! They were a hit!! 🙂
I think these just may be the most gorgeous cream puffs I’ve ever seen!
Thank you so much, Kim! You’re very kind!
I love the step by step photos. As someone who is ever-so-slightly intimidated by Creme Puff anything, it was SO helpful. These look delish!
Yay, I’m so glad you find the step-by-step photos helpful. I’m visual learner as well, so I hear ya. Thank you, Lydia!
Shinee these look amazing!! I wish I had few right now with a cup of jo!
Me too, Ami! I’m thinking to whip up a batch very soon. 😉
These creme puffs look go good!! I would find it hard to stop popping them into my mouth too!
These creme puffs look go good!! I would have a hard time popping them into my mouth too!
Thank you, Thao!
These look delectable, Shinee! I love cream puffs, but I also love lemon curd, so to combine the two is so wonderful! It’s a lovely citrusy twist that I cannot wait to try!
Hope you do try these, Beeta! They are so good! Thank you. 🙂