Pistachio Cream Puffs Recipe

Dreamy Pistachio Cream Puffs Recipe: Fluffy Bites of Magic

Delicate pistachio cream puffs dance between crisp pastry and silky filling, promising a dessert that melts elegantly on your palate.

Nutty undertones weave through each delicate bite, creating an irresistible symphony of texture and flavor.

French patisserie techniques blend with rich Mediterranean influences in this extraordinary treat.

Crumbly yet airy choux pastry forms the perfect vessel for smooth pistachio cream.

Soft peaks of whipped filling peek through golden-brown shells, beckoning sweet enthusiasts.

Delightful contrasts await in every carefully crafted morsel.

You won’t be able to resist these elegant, creamy confections that celebrate simplicity and sophistication.

Why Pistachio Cream Puffs Are Light And Dreamy

  • Boost Baking Skills: Master the classic choux pastry technique with this delightful recipe, perfect for building confidence in the kitchen and impressing friends and family.
  • Customizable Crowd-Pleaser: Easily adapt the filling with different nuts or flavors, making these cream puffs versatile for various tastes and special occasions like birthdays or dinner parties.
  • Gourmet Dessert Made Simple: Create a sophisticated dessert that looks professionally made but requires basic cooking skills, transforming ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary treat that feels like a culinary achievement.
  • Texture Paradise: Enjoy the magical contrast between crispy, light pastry shells and smooth, creamy pistachio filling that provides a delightful sensory experience with every single bite.

Ingredients For Pistachio Cream Puffs

Dough Ingredients:
  • Water: Provides the liquid base for creating the choux pastry.
  • Butter: Adds richness and helps create a tender pastry texture.
  • Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the cream puff dough.
  • All-Purpose Flour: Creates the structural foundation for the cream puff.
  • Eggs: Bind the ingredients and help the puffs rise and become light.
Filling Ingredients:
  • Heavy Cream: Creates a smooth and fluffy base for the filling.
  • Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness to the whipped cream.
  • Vanilla: Provides a classic aromatic flavor to the cream.
  • Pistachio Paste: Gives a distinctive nutty flavor and green color to the filling.
  • Chopped Pistachios: Adds texture and extra pistachio flavor to the cream.
Finishing Ingredient:
  • Powdered Sugar: Provides a delicate sweet dusting and decorative touch to the cream puffs.

How To Make Pistachio Cream Puffs Easily

Step 1: Fire Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 375°F. Grab a baking sheet and line it with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

Step 2: Create the Magical Dough Base

In a medium saucepan, toss in:
  • Water
  • Butter
  • Salt

Bring the mixture to a rolling boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally to keep things moving.

Step 3: Transform the Mixture

Once the butter melts completely, dump in the flour all at once.

Stir like crazy until the dough becomes a smooth ball that pulls away from the pan’s sides. This is where the magic happens!

Step 4: Add Some Egg Power

Let the dough cool for 5 minutes. Now start beating in eggs one by one.

Mix thoroughly after each addition until the dough looks glossy and smooth as silk.

Step 5: Shape the Puffs

Use a spoon or pastry bag to create adorable little dough mounds on the prepared baking sheet.

Space them out with some breathing room.

Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection

Pop the baking sheet into the oven.

Bake for 25-30 minutes until the puffs turn a gorgeous golden color and puff up beautifully. Let them cool completely on a wire rack.

Step 7: Whip Up the Dreamy Filling

In a separate bowl, whip together:
  • Heavy cream
  • Sugar
  • Vanilla

Beat until stiff peaks form and the mixture looks cloud-like.

Step 8: Create Pistachio Cream Magic

Gently fold into the whipped cream:
  • Pistachio paste
  • Chopped pistachios

Mix until everything is perfectly combined.

Step 9: Prepare the Puffs

Carefully slice a small opening on the side of each cooled cream puff.

Step 10: Fill with Creamy Goodness

Pipe the luscious pistachio cream into the center of each puff.

Be generous!

Step 11: Final Flourish

Dust the filled puffs with a light snowfall of powdered sugar.

Serve and watch everyone’s eyes light up!

Tips To Get Pistachio Cream Puffs Just Right

  • Ensure water and butter are fully melted before adding flour to create a smooth, lump-free choux pastry base.
  • Let the dough cool slightly before adding eggs to prevent scrambling and maintain a silky texture.
  • Pipe uniform mounds for consistent puff sizes and even baking, using a pastry bag for precise shaping.
  • Whip cream to stiff peaks for a stable filling that holds its shape when piped into delicate cream puffs.
  • Fold pistachio paste gently to preserve the cream's airy texture and distribute nutty flavor evenly.

Creative Twists On Pistachio Cream Puffs

  • Almond Adventure: Replace pistachio paste with almond butter and fold chopped almonds into the whipped cream for a nutty alternative.
  • Chocolate Indulgence: Mix cocoa powder into the whipped cream and sprinkle dark chocolate shavings on top for a rich chocolate version.
  • Lavender Elegance: Add dried lavender buds to the cream mixture and garnish with fresh lavender sprigs for a sophisticated herbal touch.
  • Berry Bliss: Incorporate raspberry or strawberry puree into the whipped cream and top with fresh berries for a fruity transformation.

What Pairs Well With Pistachio Cream Puffs

  • Pair with Decadent Dessert Wine: Select a sweet Moscato d'Asti or Sauternes to complement the rich pistachio cream's nutty sweetness and delicate pastry texture.
  • Create Contrasting Coffee Companion: Brew a strong espresso or cappuccino to cut through the cream's richness and enhance the pistachio's subtle, earthy flavors.
  • Match with Nutty Liqueur: Serve alongside Frangelico or amaretto, which will amplify the pistachio's warm, toasted notes and provide a smooth alcoholic backdrop.
  • Elevate with Fresh Fruit Accent: Offer a small side of fresh raspberries or strawberries to add a tart brightness that balances the creamy, sweet dessert.

Store Pistachio Cream Puffs The Smart Way

  • Refrigerate: Store cream puffs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep them away from strong-smelling foods to preserve their delicate flavor.
  • Freeze: Wrap individual cream puffs in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving.
  • Reheating Oven: Preheat oven to 300°F. Place cream puffs on a baking sheet and warm for 5-7 minutes to restore crispness. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
  • Room Temperature: Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before serving to allow cream puffs to soften and reach optimal flavor and texture.

Pistachio Cream Puffs Questions Answered

  • What are cream puffs?

Cream puffs are delicate French pastries made from choux pastry, a light and airy dough that puffs up when baked, creating a hollow center perfect for filling with cream.

  • Is choux pastry difficult to make?

Choux pastry might seem intimidating, but it’s actually straightforward. The key is to follow the steps carefully and mix the ingredients at the right temperatures.

  • Can I make cream puffs ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the choux pastry shells in advance and store them in an airtight container. Fill them with cream just before serving to keep them crisp.

  • Do I need special equipment to make cream puffs?

A pastry bag helps, but you can also use a spoon to create the dough mounds.

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Pistachio Cream Puffs Recipe

Pistachio Cream Puffs Recipe


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4.8 from 40 reviews

  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Dreamy pistachio cream puffs blend French pastry elegance with nutty Mediterranean charm. Light choux pastry shells cradle silky pistachio cream, promising delectable moments of pure culinary bliss for passionate dessert seekers.


Ingredients

Scale

Pastry Dough:

  • 1 cup (240 milliliters) water
  • 1/2 cup (113 grams) butter
  • 1 cup (125 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Filling Ingredients:

  • 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup (60 grams) shelled pistachios, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup (150 grams) pistachio paste
  • 1/4 cup (50 grams) sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Garnish:

  • Powdered sugar, for dusting

Instructions

  1. Warm the oven to 375°F and prepare a parchment-lined baking sheet for crisp pastry preparation.
  2. Combine water, butter, and salt in a saucepan, heating until the mixture reaches a rolling boil.
  3. Quickly incorporate flour into the boiling liquid, stirring vigorously until the mixture transforms into a cohesive, smooth dough ball that separates from the pan’s edges.
  4. Allow the dough to rest and cool for 5 minutes, then systematically integrate eggs one at a time, whisking until the mixture becomes silky and lustrous.
  5. Transfer the dough into a pastry bag or use a spoon to create uniform rounded mounds on the prepared baking sheet.
  6. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the pastry achieves a golden, puffy exterior, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling.
  7. Whip heavy cream with sugar and vanilla, creating a voluminous mixture with distinct stiff peaks.
  8. Gently fold pistachio paste and chopped pistachios into the whipped cream, creating a luxurious filling.
  9. Once cooled, delicately slice a small opening along the side of each cream puff.
  10. Carefully pipe the pistachio cream into the center of each pastry, ensuring even distribution.
  11. Finish by dusting with powdered sugar and presenting the elegant dessert.

Notes

  • Ensure water and butter are at a rolling boil before adding flour to create the perfect choux pastry base.
  • Use room temperature eggs for smoother incorporation and better rise in the cream puffs.
  • Pipe dough uniformly to guarantee even baking and consistent cream puff sizes.
  • When filling, use a piping bag with a small tip to inject cream precisely without tearing the delicate pastry.
  • For gluten-free adaptation, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free blend to maintain texture.
  • Toast pistachios lightly before chopping to enhance their nutty flavor and add depth to the cream filling.
  • Make cream puffs ahead and store unfilled shells in an airtight container to maintain crispness for 2-3 days.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: French

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 263
  • Sugar: 5 g
  • Sodium: 72 mg
  • Fat: 20 g
  • Saturated Fat: 10 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 22 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 95 mg
Truc Tran (Kris)

Truc Tran (Kris)

Senior Food Editor

Expertise

Home Cooking, Meal Planning, Recipe Development, Baking and Pastry, Food Editor, Cooking-video Maker, Vietnamese Food Evaluation Expert

Education

  • Hospitality (Commercial Cookery) at TasTAFE
  • Culinary Arts at Kendall College (Australia Branch in Sydney)
  • Vietnamese Cuisine Head Chef at HNAAu School (Vietnam, International Joint Training Program)

Truc Tran (Kris), an experienced food writer and editor, is great at exploring and describing global cuisines, from simple street food to fancy dining. In her writing, she skillfully mixes different flavors, cooking methods, and culinary traditions, showing the unique character of various cultures through their food and drinks. On azcuisines.com, Kris highlights her knowledge, especially in Asian cuisine and worldwide traditional dishes.

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