Chocolate Profiteroles
Ingredients:
For the Choux Pastry:
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into pieces
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 large eggs
For the Filling:
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Chocolate Sauce:
- 1 cup semisweet or dark chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Make the Choux Pastry:
- In a medium saucepan, combine the butter, water, salt, and granulated sugar. Bring to a boil over medium heat.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and immediately add the flour, stirring vigorously with a wooden spoon until the mixture forms a ball and pulls away from the sides of the pan.
- Return the pan to the heat and cook, stirring constantly, for about 1-2 minutes to dry out the dough slightly.
- Transfer the dough to a large mixing bowl. Let it cool for a few minutes.
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition until the dough is smooth and glossy.
3. Bake the Choux Pastry:
- Using a piping bag fitted with a plain round tip or a spoon, pipe or drop small mounds of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the pastries are puffed and golden brown.
- Turn off the oven, open the oven door slightly, and let the pastries cool in the oven for 10 minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
4. Prepare the Filling:
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form.
- Transfer the whipped cream to a piping bag fitted with a plain or star tip.
5. Fill the Profiteroles:
- Once the choux pastries are completely cool, use a small knife to make a small hole in the bottom of each one.
- Pipe the whipped cream into each pastry until filled.
6. Make the Chocolate Sauce:
- In a small saucepan, heat the heavy cream over medium heat until it just begins to simmer.
- Remove from heat and add the chocolate chips, butter, and vanilla extract. Let it sit for a minute, then stir until smooth and fully melted.
7. Assemble and Serve:
- Arrange the filled profiteroles on a serving platter.
- Drizzle the warm chocolate sauce over the profiteroles just before serving.
Enjoy your Chocolate Profiteroles! These delightful pastries filled with whipped cream and topped with rich chocolate sauce are sure to impress.
