Hey Lykkers! If you’re craving something sweet and fluffy, let us introduce you to a treat that will make your taste buds dance: the cream puff cake. It’s got all the classic flavors of a traditional cream puff but in cake form. Think soft pastry, creamy filling, and a luscious topping—what’s not to love?
<h3>What is a Cream Puff Cake?</h3> A cream puff cake combines the best parts of cream puffs—light, airy pastry and rich cream—into an easy-to-make dessert. Instead of shaping individual puffs, the entire dessert is spread out in layers, making it a perfect centerpiece for gatherings.
<h3>Recipe: Cream Puff Cake</h3>
<b>Ingredients:</b>
<b>For the Crust:</b>
1 cup water (240 gr)
1/2 cup butter (113 gr)
1 cup all-purpose flour (120 gr)
4 large eggs
<b>For the Cream Filling:</b>
8 oz cream cheese, softened (226 gr)
2 small boxes of instant vanilla pudding mix (3.4 oz each) (96 gr)
3 cups cold milk (720 gr)
1 tsp vanilla extract
<b>For the Topping:</b>
8 oz whipped topping (like Cool Whip) (226 gr)
Chocolate syrup or melted chocolate for drizzling (optional)
<b>Instructions:</b>
<b>1. Make the Crust:</b>
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a medium saucepan, bring water and butter to a boil. Once it’s boiling, add the flour and stir until the dough pulls away from the sides of the pan and forms a ball. Remove from heat.
- Let the dough cool slightly, then beat in the eggs one at a time until smooth.
- Spread the dough into a greased 9x13-inch baking pan. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the crust is puffed and golden. Let it cool.
<b>2. Prepare the Cream Filling:</b>
- Beat the cream cheese in a bowl until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together pudding mix, milk, and vanilla until thickened.
- Combine the pudding mixture with the cream cheese, mixing until smooth. Spread over the cooled crust.
<b>3. Top it Off:</b>
- Spread the whipped topping evenly over the cream filling.
- For extra flair, drizzle chocolate syrup or melted chocolate over the top.
<b>4. Chill and Serve:</b>
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.
<h3>Tips for Success:</h3>
<b>Cool the crust completely:</b> If the crust is still warm, the filling might become runny. Be patient!
<b>Cold milk is key:</b> It helps the pudding set faster, ensuring a firmer cream layer.
<b>Make ahead:</b> This cake is even better when made a day in advance, as the flavors have time to blend.
<b>Toppings galore:</b> Chocolate syrup is classic, but you can get creative with caramel, fresh berries, or even a dusting of powdered sugar.
<h3>Fun Variations:</h3>
<b>Strawberry Delight:</b> Use strawberry-flavored pudding and top with fresh berries for a fruity twist.
<b>Peanut Butter Lovers:</b> Stir in some peanut butter with the cream cheese for a rich, nutty flavor.
<b>S’mores Style:</b> Replace the vanilla pudding with chocolate and top with marshmallow fluff and graham cracker crumbles.
Now you’ve got a perfectly shareable cream puff cake that’s easy to make, fun to customize, and guaranteed to impress! Enjoy!
