Cream Puffs a Dish & Serve post

Larry asked me to take a few photos of him for work to put on Face Book and what not. Since it was a short photo session I just asked him to do a Dish & Serve post. He also surprised me with a plate FULL of his goodies after we played ultimate frisbee for two hours! I LOVE cream puffs! The filling was the best I have ever tasted in a cream puff. I have never made them but now I think I may just have to. Cream puffs freeze well, so make a batch or two or three and freeze what's left after you have eaten a batch or two ;)

"Thanks again. I've already changed my pic on my Larry Colson BPC page. MUCH BETTER, THANKS!!!" 

Dish

 Cream Puffs - they're easier to make than you think. The key to these puppies...make sure you cook them well...if you undercook them...they get doughy inside...and flatten out.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Makes about 12 large cream puff shells.
(I also usually double this recipe)
Ingredients: 
1 cup flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
 1/2 cup butter
 1 Cup Boiling Water
 4 eggs. 

Tip - Use a non teflon pan because you will need a hand mixer to be used in the saucepan while on the stove. Combine butter and salt with boiling water in saucepan; keep on low heat until butter is melted. Add Flour all at once, mixing with hand mixer until mixed well. Cook about 2 minutes until mixture is very dry. Remove from heat. Don't "cook" longer than 2 minutes. Mixture will still be hot. Add unbeaten eggs, one at a time until each is well incorporated.  By the time you get to the 3rd or 4th egg...it will become more difficult to mix...that is good...it means you're getting closer. The consistency will be VERY sticky and difficult to work with. Continue beating until mixture forms a thick dough. SPECIFIC Baking Instructions: Drop dough by tablespoonfuls, about 2 inches apart, onto baking sheet lined with wax paper. I use 2 spoons...this stuff is sticky. Bake about 10-15 minutes. If your oven doens't run too hot, 15 minutes should do it. Reduce heat to 400 degrees F and bake 5 to 10 minutes. (I do 8 minutes) Reduce heat to 375 degress F and bake for another 5 to 10 minutes. (I do 7-10 minutes...depending on how "brown" they're looking. Bake about 30 to 40 minutes total or until beads of moisture no longer appear on the surface of the puff. Do not open door during early part of baking. Remove from oven and place on wire racks to cool. When cool, cut a slit in side of each puff; remove doughy centers if necessary. Fill with Cream filling, sweetended whipped cream or with any favorite cream filling.  

Cream Puff Filling: I made this up myself, it's pretty basic and easy. 
Ingredients: 
2 cups Milk 
2 cups Heavy Whipping Cream
 1 LARGE box of instant pudding (Vanilla or Chocolate - or what every flavor you want!)
 Whip 2 cups of Heavy Whipping Cream until stiff.  Mix 2 cups of milk with the large box of  pudding - mix with instructions from box...2 minutes, etc. Combine the whipped heavy cream and the mixed pudding - mix well and set in fridge to set. 
(simple but ohhh...it was sooo good, I am drooling right now good thing you can't see me ;)

 Serve

"I guess you would say I am a foodie...but more of an amatuer...I'm not as well rounded as I used to be...(I am trying to lose some pounds -haha)...I'm biased and like mostly deserts and I think I'm a breakfast expert. I made a few of my favorite deserts for people that I think of often but haven't had time to spend with them for a while now, an older couple who I know appreciates one of my particular deserts the cream puffs. As well as an awesome family that is near and dear to our family's heart. I don't think they realize the connection...other than we're 'older' and strange...and bug them a lot about playing ultimate frisbee...but their parents loved us and took us under their wings when we arrived out here in the East Mountains 10 years ago."

Thanks Larry! I got served, and I loved every bite of it :) Truly the Colson's are just an awesome family ,my kids love them! . Larry is so much fun to be around and Becky is a tell it like it is kind of person and I love that quality. She is also a very talented writer, seriously go read one chapter of Welded Link and try not to get hooked...try. 

I know you want to do a Dish & Serve post! You already cook so just take a picture and take it to somebody and there is a Dish & Serve post best of all you will make someones day and yours!