Citrus Cream Puffs

Ingredients :

For the Choux Pastry:

• 1 cup (240ml) water
• 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour
• 4 large eggs

For the Citrus Cream Filling:

• 2 cups (480ml) heavy cream
• 1/2 cup (60g) powdered sugar
• Zest of 2 lemons
• Zest of 1 orange
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice

For Garnish:

• Powdered sugar for dusting
• Fresh mint leaves (optional)

Préparations :

1. Prepare the Choux Pastry:
   • Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
   • In a medium saucepan, bring the water, butter, and salt to a boil over medium-high heat.
   • Once boiling, add the flour all at once and stir vigorously with a wooden spoon until the mixture forms a ball and pulls away from the sides of the pan.
   • Remove from heat and let cool for about 5 minutes.
   • Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, until the dough is smooth and shiny.
2. Bake the Pastry:
   • Using a spoon or a piping bag, drop or pipe small mounds of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
   • Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes, then reduce the temperature to 350°F (175°C) and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes, or until the puffs are golden brown and hollow-sounding when tapped.
   • Remove from the oven and let cool completely on a wire rack.
3. Prepare the Citrus Cream Filling:
   • In a large mixing bowl, whip the heavy cream with the powdered sugar, lemon zest, orange zest, vanilla extract, and lemon juice until stiff peaks form.
   • Transfer the whipped cream to a piping bag fitted with a star tip.
4. Assemble the Cream Puffs:
   • Once the choux pastry puffs are completely cooled, slice them in half horizontally.
   • Pipe a generous amount of the citrus cream filling into the bottom half of each puff, then replace the top half.
5. Garnish and Serve:
   • Dust the tops of the cream puffs with powdered sugar.
   • Optionally, garnish with fresh mint leaves for a touch of color and freshness.

Enjoy these delightful citrus cream puffs as a refreshing and indulgent treat!