Easy Cream Puff Recipe

I still can't find a cream puff I really like in NYC. Here is an easy old Italian Recipe.

St. Joseph's Day Cream Puffs

Lightly grease bakign sheet.

Bring to boil in saucepan:
1 C hot water
1/2 C butter
1 T sugar
1/2 t salt

Add, all at once
1 C sifted flour

Beat vigorously with a wooden spoon until mixture leaves sides of pan and forms a smooth ball (about 3 min.) Remvoe from heat.
Quickly beat in, one at a time, beating until smooth after each addition:
4 eggs

Continue beating until mixture is smooth and glossy. Add, mixing thoroughly
1 t grated orange peel
1 t grated lemon peel

Drop by tablespoonfuls 2-in. apart on the baking sheet.

Bake at 450F for 15 minutes. Lower heat to 350F. Bake 15-20 minutes, or until golden in color.

Remove to rack to cool completely. Cut a slit in side of each puff and fill with:
Whipped Cream or Pineapple Cream Filling (recipes below).

Whipped Cream

Beat in a chilled 1-qt. bowl with chilled rotary beater, one cup at a time
2 C chilled whipping cream
Beat until cream stands in peaks when beater is slowly lifted upright.

Combine whipped cream in a large chilled bowl. Fold or beat into whipped cream with final few strokes until blended
6 T sifted confectioners' sugar
2 t vanilla extract


Pineaple Cream Filling (Crema d'Ananasso) Recipe

Scald in top of double boiler
1 1/2 C milk

Meanwhile, sift together into saucepan
1/2 C sugar
2 T cornstarch
1/8 t salt
Add, stirring well
1/2 C cold milk
Gradually stir in scalded milk.

Wash double boiler top to remove scum.

Stirring gently and constantly, bring cornstarch mixture rapidly to boiling over direct heat and cook for 3 minutes. Pour into double boiler top and place over simmering water. Cover and cook about 12 min., stirring 3-4 times. Vigorously stir about 3 T hot mixture into
3 eggs, slightly beaten
Immediately blend into mixture in double boiler. Cook over simmering water 3-5 minutes. Stir slowly to keep mixture cooking evenly. Remove fro mheat.
Cover and cool.

Stir in
1 1/2 C crushed pineapple
1 t vanilla extract

Chill in refrigerator.