VANILLA CREAM PUFFS    Linda Little

PUFF:

 

1 cup water

1/2 cup butter, no substitutes please

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup all-purpose flour

4 eggs

 

FILLING:

1 1/2 cups cold milk

1 (5 1/8 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding

3/4 teaspoon almond extract, opt.

2 cups whipping cream, whipped

 

*CHOCOLATE GLAZE:

6 tablespoons semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 1/2 teaspoons shortening

3/4 teaspoon corn syrup

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

 

Directions

In saucepan, bring water, butter and salt to a boil.

Add flour all at once and stir until it forms a ball.

Remove from heat, let stand 5 minutes.

Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.

Continue beating until mixture is smooth and shiny.

Drop by 1/4 cups at least 3 inches apart onto a greased baking sheet.

Bake at 400 degrees for 30-35 minutes (or until golden brown).

Remove to a wire rack.

Immediately split puffs open; remove tops and set aside.

Remove and discard soft dough inside puff.

Let cool.

 

In a bowl, beat the milk, pudding mix and extract on low speed for 2 minutes.

Let stand for 5 minutes.

Fold in the whipped cream.

Fill the cream puffs and replace tops.

 

In a heavy saucepan, combine glaze ingredients.

Cook and stir over low heat until chocolate melts and mixture is smooth.

Drizzle over cream puffs.  *I will just sprinkle puffs with powdered sugar if I don’t make the glaze.

Chill for at least one hour before serving.

Refrigerate any leftovers