Cream Puff Cake Recipe

Cream Puff Cake Recipe

A Deliciously Light & Creamy Dessert for Every Occasion

This Cream Puff Cake is a delightful dessert that combines the richness of a buttery, golden puff pastry with a smooth, creamy filling and a touch of sweetness. Perfect for family gatherings, potlucks, or any time you’re craving something comforting yet elegant. With a few simple ingredients, you can make a dessert that’s sure to impress everyone at your table!

Ingredients:

For the Cake:

• 1 cup water
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (cut into cubes)
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 4 large eggs (room temperature)

For the Cream Filling:

• 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese (softened)
• 1 (4 oz) box instant vanilla pudding mix
• 1 1/2 cups cold milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups whipped cream (or whipped topping)

For the Topping:

• Powdered sugar (for dusting)

Instructions:

Step 1: Prepare the Cake Base

1. Preheat Your Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray, or line it with parchment paper for easy removal later.
2. Make the Dough:
   • In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup of water, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 cup butter. Place the pan over medium heat and bring it to a boil. Once the mixture starts boiling, stir occasionally to ensure the butter melts completely.
   • Once boiling, add 1 cup of all-purpose flour all at once, stirring continuously with a wooden spoon. The mixture will start to thicken quickly and form a dough-like consistency. Continue stirring for about 1 minute, allowing the dough to cook slightly.
3. Cool the Dough:
   • Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the dough cool for about 5 minutes. This is important so that the dough isn’t too hot when you add the eggs.
4. Incorporate the Eggs:
   • Once the dough has cooled slightly, add 1 egg at a time to the dough, stirring well after each addition. The dough will appear lumpy at first, but don’t worry—it will smooth out as you keep mixing. Repeat this step until all 4 eggs have been fully incorporated. The final dough should be thick and sticky.
5. Spread the Dough in the Pan:
   • Using a spatula, transfer the dough into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly across the bottom. Smooth the top with the back of the spatula.
6. Bake:
   • Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for about 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and puffed up. The cake will look somewhat crisp and airy. Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool completely in the pan.

Step 2: Make the Cream Filling

1. Prepare the Pudding Base:
   • In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. This step helps to avoid lumps in your filling.
   • Add the instant vanilla pudding mix to the cream cheese and continue to beat until the mixture is combined. You should have a thick, creamy base for your filling.
2. Add the Milk:
   • Gradually add 1 1/2 cups of cold milk into the pudding mixture, continuing to beat until smooth. The consistency should be thick but pourable, perfect for spreading over the cake base.
3. Add Vanilla:
   • Stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to enhance the flavor of the cream filling.
4. Fold in the Whipped Cream:
   • Gently fold in the whipped cream (or whipped topping) into the cream cheese mixture. This will make the filling light and fluffy. Use a spatula to fold, rather than stir, to retain the airy texture of the whipped cream.

Step 3: Assemble the Cake

1. Layer the Filling:
   • Once the cake has cooled completely, spread the creamy filling evenly over the entire surface of the cake. Use a spatula to smooth the filling to the edges and create an even layer.
2. Chill the Cake:
   • Place the cake in the refrigerator and chill for at least 2-3 hours, or overnight if you have the time. Chilling helps the filling set and makes it easier to slice when serving.

Step 4: Serve & Garnish

1. Dust with Powdered Sugar:
   • Just before serving, dust the top of the cake with a light layer of powdered sugar. This adds a touch of sweetness and elegance to the dish.
2. Slice & Serve:
   • Slice the cake into squares or rectangles and serve chilled. This dessert is light, creamy, and perfectly balanced in texture, with a crisp, buttery base and a rich, fluffy filling.

Additional Tips for Success:

• Make-Ahead: This dessert is great for making ahead. If you’re preparing it for a special event, make the cream puff cake the day before so it has plenty of time to set in the fridge.
• Flavor Variations: If you want to mix things up, consider adding some fresh fruit like strawberries or blueberries on top of the cream filling. You can also add a hint of lemon zest or almond extract to the cream filling for a different flavor profile.
• Serving Suggestions: Serve this cake alongside a warm cup of coffee or a refreshing glass of iced tea for a delightful afternoon treat.

This Cream Puff Cake is a wonderful dessert that’s both elegant and comforting. The rich, buttery cake base and creamy filling are sure to be a hit at any gathering. Enjoy this indulgent treat with friends and family, and don’t forget to share the recipe—they’ll definitely ask for it!Billion Dollar Buttery Biscuits