Why You’ll Love These Mom’s Famous Cream Puffs
There are three reasons you’ll love these cream puffs that have been in my family for generations.
First, they’re surprisingly simple to make—even my kitchen-phobic brother mastered them on his first try.
Second, that contrast between the crisp, golden shell and the silky vanilla cream inside creates the most satisfying bite you can imagine.
Third, they’re completely customizable. Feeling fancy? Drizzle with chocolate. Want something lighter? Just dust with powdered sugar.
I’ve served these at everything from birthday parties to holiday gatherings, and the plate is always empty within minutes.
What Ingredients are in Mom’s Famous Cream Puffs?
These cream puffs might look fancy, but they’re actually made with simple ingredients you probably have in your pantry right now. The magic happens when these basic components come together—turning into delicate pastry shells filled with the dreamiest vanilla cream.
I still remember watching my mom make these as a kid, fascinated by how the dough puffed up in the oven like magic. Now let’s break down exactly what you’ll need:
For the Cream Puff Shells:
- 1 cup water
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 large eggs
For the Vanilla Cream Filling:
- 2 cups cold whole milk
- 1 (3.4 oz) box instant vanilla pudding mix
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
Optional Toppings:
- Powdered sugar for dusting
- Melted chocolate for drizzling
A few notes about these ingredients: the butter should be unsalted so you can control the salt content, and make sure your eggs are at room temperature for the best incorporation into the dough.
While vanilla bean paste gives the filling those gorgeous little flecks, you can substitute regular vanilla extract if that’s what you have on hand.
And about that pudding mix—yes, we’re using a shortcut here, and trust me, nobody will know the difference. It’s our little secret that makes these cream puffs so foolproof.
How to Make These Mom’s Famous Cream Puffs
Let’s start with the cream puff shells, which might seem intimidating but are actually quite straightforward. Begin by preheating your oven to 400°F and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup water, ½ cup unsalted butter, and ¼ teaspoon salt, then bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat.
Once it’s bubbling, add 1 cup all-purpose flour all at once—yes, all at once—and stir vigorously until the mixture forms a ball and pulls away from the sides of the pan. This happens quickly, so keep your eyes on it! Remove from heat and let it cool for about 5 minutes.
Now for the magic part: beat in 4 large eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition until the dough becomes smooth and glossy. This is your choux pastry, and it’s the foundation of those perfectly puffy shells.
Time to shape and bake! Using a spoon or piping bag (honestly, a spoon works just fine if you’re not feeling fancy), drop 8-10 mounds of dough onto your prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2-3 inches apart. They’ll expand quite a bit, so give them room to grow.
Pop them in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until they’ve puffed up beautifully and turned golden brown.
While they’re cooling, let’s make that luscious filling. In a large bowl, whisk together 2 cups cold whole milk and the box of instant vanilla pudding mix until it begins to thicken. In a separate bowl, whip 1 cup heavy cream with ¼ cup powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste until soft peaks form.
Gently fold the whipped cream into the pudding mixture until combined—this creates that cloud-like filling that’s perfectly balanced between rich and light.
Once the shells have completely cooled, it’s time for assembly. Cut each puff horizontally with a serrated knife (like you’re making a little sandwich), fill the bottom half generously with the vanilla cream, then place the top back on.
For that picture-perfect finish, dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with melted chocolate—or both, because why choose? These cream puffs are best served the same day, but between us, they rarely last that long anyway.
The contrast between the crisp, eggy shell and the silky-smooth filling is what makes these treats so irresistible—and why they’ve earned their “famous” status in Mom’s recipe box.
Mom’s Famous Cream Puffs Substitutions and Variations
While Mom’s recipe creates the perfect classic cream puff, I’ve discovered several delicious substitutions and variations over years of making these treasured treats.
For chocolate lovers, fold cocoa powder into the pastry dough or swap vanilla pudding for chocolate. Can’t do dairy? Coconut milk works surprisingly well in both the shells and filling.
For a savory twist, omit the sugar and fill with chicken salad or herbed cream cheese. My personal favorite? Adding almond extract to the filling and topping with slivered almonds.
Sometimes I pipe the dough into long eclairs instead of rounds, which never fails to impress dinner guests.
What to Serve with Mom’s Famous Cream Puffs
When serving Mom’s famous cream puffs, I’ve found that complementary beverages can elevate the entire dessert experience. A rich coffee provides wonderful contrast to the sweet, creamy filling—I prefer a medium roast that won’t overpower the delicate pastry.
For non-coffee drinkers, try Earl Grey tea with its subtle bergamot notes.
Got kids at the table? Whole milk or hot chocolate makes them feel special too.
For special occasions, why not pair these puffy clouds of heaven with a dessert wine? A chilled Moscato d’Asti or Sauternes brings out the vanilla notes perfectly.
Trust me, your guests will be impressed.
Final Thoughts
After making Mom’s famous cream puffs countless times, I’ve come to appreciate not just their deliciousness but the joy they bring to any gathering.
There’s something magical about watching guests bite into these cloud-like pastries, their faces lighting up as cream oozes from the center.
These humble treats connect us to family traditions and simpler times.
Why not make them part of your story too? Whether served at holidays, Sunday dinners, or just because, cream puffs create memories that last far longer than their brief existence on the plate.
Worth every bit of effort, don’t you think?
Mom's Famous Cream Puffs
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium saucepan, combine water, butter, and salt. Bring to a boil over medium heat.
- Add flour all at once and stir vigorously until mixture forms a ball and pulls away from sides of pan. Remove from heat and let cool for 5 minutes.
- Beat in eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition until dough becomes smooth and glossy.
- Drop 8-10 mounds of dough onto prepared baking sheet, spacing them 2-3 inches apart.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until puffed and golden brown.
- For the filling, whisk together cold milk and vanilla pudding mix until it begins to thicken.
- In a separate bowl, whip heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla bean paste until soft peaks form.
- Fold whipped cream into pudding mixture until combined.
- Once shells are completely cooled, cut horizontally and fill with vanilla cream mixture.
- Optionally dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with melted chocolate before serving.
