Choux au Craquelin - Cream Puffs with Passionfruit Cream and Passionfruit Whipped Cream. These Passionfruit Cream Puffs have Crispy, light cream puffs, topped with crunchy craquelin, are filled with a tart passionfruit cream, then topped with a smooth passionfruit whipped cream. The perfect dessert for if you are feeling a little fancy!
Choux au Craquelin (Cream Puffs) with Passionfruit Cream
Now that they sell passionfruit at my local, that’s me done - the passionfruit recipes aren’t going to stop. I have to make up for four years of passionfruit deprivation all in one go. Hahahhaha. I’m kidding, but it is really just my fave.
I’ve had this one rolling round in my head for a while now since I saw these lemon cream puffs on Pinterest. I love everything about cream puffs, particularly when they have a disc of cookie dough like craquelin on the top, which kind of melts down in the oven to form this perfect, crackly top. Cream puffs without the craquelin tend to bake up a bit lumpy and bumpy (but still taste super yum), but the craquelin ensures that it rises in a perfect circle, which is not only super satisfying, but makes it super easy to fill - you just pop the top off with a sharp knife, and fill away.
How to make passionfruit cream
I filled these with a super delicious and fairly easy filling. It’s technically two components - a passionfruit cream a passionfruit whipped cream, but the part that makes it easy is that the passionfruit whipped cream is literally just passionfruit cream folded through some whipped cream. So by making the passionfruit cream, you’re really making the base of both the filling components. If you haven’t had passionfruit cream before (or lemon cream), it’s essentially a curd, but instead of cooking everything down together like a curd, you leave the butter out and then emulsify it in at the last step, giving you something with a little more stability than a curd. Same ingredients, different process. Science is the best. The passionfruit cream is perfectly smooth and tart, and then the whipped cream is also amazing - it still has the flavour of the passionfruit from the cream, but also adds some smoothness to help cut through the tart flavour.
These would make an incredible wee dessert to take to a dinner party or something - it’s not too hard to make loads of them (this recipe makes 24), and they look like they are way more effort than they are. I love using the choux as a base and making up different fillings - they are amazing just filled with a vanilla bean whipped cream!
A few wee tips for making Choux au Craquelin with Passionfruit Cream
- I have included an extra 'just in case' egg in the ingredients. The reason that this is in there, is that sometimes you need to add extra egg to the pastry if necessary. You want the mixture to be at a consistency where if you dip in the beater of the mixer, the batter will form a 'v' shape and eventually break off. If it is too stiff, and breaks off very quickly, you may need to add another beaten egg, and mix again, before performing the test.
- I can only do one tray of these at a time because of my oven, so I pipe all of them, then add craquelin to one tray, bake it off, then add the craquelin to the second tray before I bake it.
- The passionfruit cream takes a while. Make sure you bring it right up to 180˚f / 80˚c. This will make sure that it is thick enough so that when it cools, it gets super thick. Ideally it needs overnight to cool and thicken. It will look sloppy when you are done, but just give it time to chill overnight and it will thicken nicely.
- Choux Freezes! Freeze the cream puffs just after they have been piped out, then once solid, place in a ziploc bag in the freezer. Bake off as usual - do not add the craquelin until just before you bake.
- If you make the choux buns ahead of time, freeze them in an airtight container. Then defrost in the fridge or at room temp. Even if you only make them a day before, store them overnight in the freezer so they don't go soggy!
For more Passionfruit Recipes:
- Olive Oil Passionfruit Loaf Cake
- Passionfruit and White Chocolate Macarons
- Small Batch No-Bake Passionfruit and Lemon Meringue Bars
- Vanilla Layer Cake with passionfruit filling
Made this recipe and love it?
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A note on salt and oven temperature
It is important to note the type of salt that is called for in a recipe. I use Diamond Crystal salt throughout my recipes - if you use a different sort of kosher salt or regular table salt you will need to adjust accordingly as some salt is 'saltier' than others. Morton's salt is twice as salty, so you will need half the quantity. Same goes for a regular table salt. I am working to get gram measurements throughout my recipes for salt but still getting there.
All oven temperatures are conventional unless otherwise stated. If you are baking on fan / convection, you will need to adjust the temperature. An oven thermometer is a great investment to ensure that your oven is the correct temperature.
Using the double / triple function in the recipe card
You will notice that there is a '1X' '2X' '3X' button in my recipe card. This can be used for doubling or tripling a recipe. However, please note that this only doubles the ingredient quantities in the ingredients list and NOT in the method. If there are quantities or pan sizes in the method of the recipe (for example weigh out 150g brown butter), you will need to scale this number manually. It will also not change the baking time in the recipe so you will need to adjust this yourself too. It is always a good idea to read through a recipe fully before doubling it just to check this. If you would like to scale this recipe or convert for another pan size, use my calculator!
Tools and equipment
For a list of my go-to tools and equipment, I have a post you can refer to here.
Why is this recipe in grams?
I post my recipes in grams as it is the most accurate way to bake. Cups are not only inaccurate but they vary in volume worldwide. There is no way for me to provide one cup measure that works for everyone. However, posting in weight fixes this issue. If you would like the recipe in cups you are welcome to convert it yourself via google, but please do not ask me to do it for you as I am not comfortable providing a recipe using a method that I have not tested. Baking with a scale is easy, accurate, and also makes cleanup super simple. Here is the scale that I use if you would like a recommendation! Here's to accurate baking!
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Choux au Craquelin (Cream Puffs) with Passionfruit Cream
- Prep Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes plus cooling time
- Yield: 24 buns 1x
- Category: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Description
Choux au Craquelin - Cream Puffs with Passionfruit Cream and Passionfruit Whipped Cream. Crispy, light cream puffs, topped with crunchy craquelin, are filled with a tart passionfruit cream, then topped with a smooth passionfruit whipped cream. The perfect dessert for if you are feeling a little fancy!
Ingredients
Passionfruit Cream
- 230g passionfruit juice (I whizzed passionfruit pulp in the food processor then strained to remove the
- seeds)
- 15g Lemon Juice
- 4 large egg yolks
- 4 large eggs
- 255g Sugar
- pinch of salt
- ½ tsp vanilla bean paste
- 350g Unsalted butter, at room temperature
Craquelin
- 100g unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 120g all-purpose flour
- 120g dark brown sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla bean paste
Choux Dough
- 125g whole milk
- 125g water
- 110g unsalted butter, cubed
- 5g Kosher Salt
- 5g vanilla bean paste
- 15g Sugar
- 165g All-purpose flour
- 240g eggs, lightly beaten, plus more if required (see tips)
Passionfruit Whipped Cream
- 375g Heavy Cream, Cold
- 1 tsp vanilla bean paste
- 250g passionfruit cream
Instructions
PASSIONFRUIT CREAM
- Create a 'double boiler' by placing a medium pot of water over a medium heat, and bringing to a simmer. Place a heatproof glass or stainless steel bowl over the pot, making sure that the bowl does NOT touch the water.
- Combine the passionfruit juice, lemon juice, egg yolks, eggs, sugar, salt, and vanilla bean paste in the heatproof bowl, whisking together immediately to stop the sugar from cooking the egg yolks.
- Cook the mixture, whisking constantly, until it reaches 180°f / 80°c. This may take some time (approx 15 minutes). Be patient, and make sure you do bring it right up to the required temperature.
- Remove the bowl from the heat, and set aside, whisking occasionally, until the mixture is 140°f / 60°c. Strain through a sieve into a clean mixing bowl. Add the butter, a chunk at a time, blending well with an immersion blender until completely combined before adding the next chunk. Alternatively you can do this in a blender. The cream should be pale and thick by the time you are finished.
- Transfer to an airtight container, press a piece of plastic wrap onto the surface of the cream, and cover. Refrigerate overnight, or until ready to use.
CRAQUELIN
- Place all ingredients in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat on medium until combined. Turn out the dough onto a large piece of parchment paper, and top with a second piece. Roll out to 1-2mm in thickness. Place the dough, still between the parchment sheets, in the freezer for an hour, or until ready to use (Can be made ahead).
CHOUX AU CRAQUELIN
- Preheat the oven to 400˚f / 200˚c. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Using a cookie cutter, trace 1 ¾” circles on each baking sheet using a pen or a pencil, leaving some room for spreading (about 2” between each), then flip over the baking sheet so that the side with the drawing is facing downward.
- Fit a large piping bag with a large round piping tip.
- In a medium pot, combine the milk, water, butter, salt, vanilla bean paste, and sugar. Place over medium heat, and stir until the butter has melted and the mixture has begun to boil. Remove from the heat, and add the flour all at once, mixing quickly with a wooden spoon to combine. The mixture will form a thick paste.
- Return to the heat, and, stirring constantly, cook the mixture for 2 minutes to help dry it out. Transfer to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix on medium speed for 1 minute to help cool down the mixture.
- With the mixture running on low, slowly stream in the 240g egg. Mix on medium speed for 4 minutes, or until the egg is fully incorporated. Test the consistency of the batter by dipping in the beater and pulling up. If it forms a v which eventually breaks off, you are good to go. If it seems too stiff, slowly add another beaten egg and mix to incorporate.
- Transfer the choux pastry to the prepared piping bag. Using your traced circle as a guide, pipe mounds onto the baking sheet, ending each with a little flick of your wrist. If the choux has left a point, you can flatten down with a wet fingertip. Repeat with the second tray - you should end up with about 24 mounds.
- Remove the craquelin from the freezer, and peel off the top piece of parchment. Using the same sized cutter you used to trace the circles on the parchment paper, cut out circles of dough. Place each carefully on top of a mound of choux, pressing lightly to adhere. If you are baking one tray of these at a time, ensure that you only put the craquelin on one tray worth at a time - put the craquelin on the second tray just before you bake them.
- Bake the cream puffs for 15 min at 400˚f / 200˚c, then turn down the oven to 350˚f / 180˚c, and bake for a further 20 minutes, until the puffs are deeply golden. Remove from the oven and poke a small vent in the side of each using a paring knife or chopstick, to help the steam escape. Place on a cooling rack to cool completely. If baking in two batches, return the oven to 400˚f / 200˚c, and repeat the baking process with the remaining buns.
PASSIONFRUIT WHIPPED CREAM
- Place the heavy cream and vanilla bean paste in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Mix on medium speed until stiff peaks form, then fold in the passionfruit cream. Transfer to a piping bag fitted with an open star tip - I used an Ateco #827.
ASSEMBLY
- Transfer the remainder of the passionfruit cream to a piping bag fitted with a round tip.
- Using a sharp bread knife, cut the tops off the cream puffs, about three quarters of the way up.
- Pipe passionfruit cream into about the bottom third of the cream puff, then top with a swirl of the passionfruit whipped cream. Top with the choux lid you cut off earlier.
- Finish with gold leaf if desired. Chill until ready to serve. Store remainders in the fridge - I like to keep them loosely tented with plastic wrap rather than in an airtight container to stop them from going soggy.
Notes
Flavour Profile and Whipped Cream from Hint of Vanilla, Lemon Cream adapted from Tartine
If you make the choux buns ahead of time, freeze them in an airtight container. Then defrost in the fridge or at room temp. Even if you only make them a day before, store them overnight in the freezer so they don't go soggy!
Keywords: Choux, passionfruit, passionfruit cream, craquelin, cream puff, choux au craquelin
Comments
Super easy to follow recipe, and the choux buns turned out great! Nice and puffy and just a hint of sweetness.
★★★★★
Yay I am so glad that you love them! x
Made the choux (but with a different filling) and oh my god! F****** amazing. Such an easy recipe to follow, and the flavors and textures were absolutely spot on. Tend to deal with collapse and doughiness with other puffs, but totally perfect this time!
★★★★★
Ah yayyyy so glad you love xx
I am requested to make these all the time. They are WONDERFUL and they look impressive while being easy to make. Thank you for another great recipe!
★★★★★
Ah yayyy you are so welcome x
GREAT RECIPE!
★★★★★
Ahhh thank you!
This passionfruit cream may be one of the best things I've ever made. I don't know that any other choux filling will be able to top it!!
★★★★★
Eeee so happy you love!
Hi! I want to make this recipe but don't have vanilla bean paste and couldn't find it at the grocery near me. Can I sub regular vanilla extract or will that mess with the consistency?
Hi! So sorry for the delay. Yep extract is just fine 🙂
First time ever making choux au craquelin and it turned out amazing! I have an obsession with passionfruit so knew I had to make these. Thanks for a great recipe (:
★★★★★
Yayyyy so happy you loved!
the passionfruit filling is awesome! first time making Choux au Craquelin, the combination of passionfruit cream and whipping cream is really splendid! my husband likes it so much that he gave me a thumbs up (he finisheds 4pcs at once 🙂 thank you for the great recipe!