Choux Pastry

Ingredients

  • 75g water
  • 70g whole milk
  • 75g unsalted butter
  • 3g sugar
  • 2g salt
  • 100g all purpose flour
  • 150-200g (3-4 large) eggs

Method

Prep

  • Preheat oven to 375°F
  • Line a sheet pan with parchment paper
  • Prepare a piping bag with a large plain tip

Make batter

  • In a medium pot over medium heat:
    • Combine water, milk, butter, sugar, and salt
    • Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally
  • Add flour all at once and stir vigorously with a spatula until dough comes together (1-2 minutes)
  • Continue cooking and stirring until a film forms on the bottom of the pot (4-5 minutes)
  • Transfer dough to a stand mixer bowl with paddle attachment
  • Mix on low speed for 4-5 minutes to let off heat and steam
  • Add eggs one at a time, fully incorporating each before adding the next
    • Chef Dominique cracks them all into a bowl and pours from that
    • You may not need all the eggs—stop when the dough falls slowly in ribbons when lifted
  • Transfer batter to the prepared piping bag

Pipe and bake

  • Pipe into desired shapes on the parchment-lined sheet:
    • Cream puffs: 112” rounds, 1” apart
    • Éclairs: 5” long strips, 1” apart
    • Rings: Pipe concentric circles using an 8” pan as a guide
  • Brush with egg wash
  • Bake at 375°F for 25-40 minutes, rotating pan halfway through
    • They’re done when golden, light to the touch, and hollow in the center
  • Let cool completely before filling

Notes

The number of eggs needed can vary. The dough should be thick but fluid enough to pipe. To check consistency, stick a spatula into the dough and lift it high - it should fall slowly in ribbons.

References