Profiteroles
Treat yourself to the luxurious indulgence of delicate profiteroles – a quintessential French dessert that promises a symphony of flavors and textures. These airy pastry puffs, filled with sweetened cream and adorned with velvety chocolate sauce, embody the epitome of elegance and decadence. Join us on a culinary journey as we guide you through the art of creating these delightful treats, perfect for satisfying your sweet cravings and impressing your guests with a touch of French sophistication.
Ingredients:
- 50g butter (preferably unsalted), cut into cubes
- 2 tbsp caster sugar
- 75g strong white flour, sifted with a pinch of fine sea salt
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten
- 300ml double cream
- Few drops of vanilla extract
For the sauce:
- 50g cocoa powder
- 175g caster sugar
Instructions:
1. Heat the oven to 220°C/200°C fan/gas 7. In a saucepan, combine the butter, 2 tsp of caster sugar, and 150ml water. Bring to a boil over low heat until the butter and sugar melt.
2. Remove from heat, add the flour all at once, and beat vigorously with a wooden spoon until the dough forms a ball and pulls away from the sides of the pan.
3. Let the dough cool for 5 minutes, then gradually beat in the eggs until you have a stiff, glossy mixture. Alternatively, use a food processor for easier mixing.
4. Dampen two baking trays with cold water and spoon blobs of the mixture onto them using two teaspoons. Bake for 18-20 minutes until well risen and browned. Cut a small slit in the base of each profiterole to prevent collapsing, then cool on a wire rack.
5. Once cooled, lightly whip the cream until it holds its shape. Sweeten to taste with the remaining sugar and vanilla extract. Cut the profiteroles in half, fill them with the sweetened cream, and arrange them on a plate.
6. Optional: Refrigerate the filled profiteroles for 1-2 hours, but not longer to avoid soggy pastry.
7. To make the sauce, sift the cocoa powder into a bowl. Warm the sugar with 100ml water in a pan until dissolved. Bring to a boil, cook for 1 minute, then pour over the cocoa powder and stir until smooth. Return the sauce to the pan and cook for 1 minute. Set aside for 15 minutes before drizzling over the profiteroles. Enjoy this delightful dessert!
Treat yourself to the luxurious indulgence of delicate profiteroles – a quintessential French dessert that promises a symphony of flavors and textures. These airy pastry puffs, filled with sweetened cream and adorned with velvety chocolate sauce, embody the epitome of elegance and decadence. Join us on a culinary journey as we guide you through the art of creating these delightful treats, perfect for satisfying your sweet cravings and impressing your guests with a touch of French sophistication.