Airy Nun’s Puffs (Choux Pastry): Easy & Elegant Dessert

Get ready to bake a truly delightful and surprisingly simple pastry: Nun’s Puffs, also known as petits choux or cream puffs! These airy, golden-brown delights are crispy on the outside, wonderfully hollow and soft on the inside, and perfect for filling, drizzling, or simply enjoying plain. They’re an elegant treat that’s fantastic for any occasion, from a fancy brunch to a cozy dessert.

Why I Love This Recipe

Nun’s Puffs are a revelation! What I love most about them is the incredible transformation of simple ingredients into a light, ethereal pastry. The process of making the choux pastry might seem intimidating, but it’s remarkably straightforward and so satisfying to watch them puff up in the oven. The result is a perfect vessel for a sweet drizzle of honey or a cloud of whipped cream. They’re not overly sweet, allowing the richness of the butter and the airy texture to truly shine. They feel wonderfully gourmet, yet they’re a recipe you can easily master and impress everyone with!

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to create these delightful and airy Nun’s Puffs:

1 stick butter (1/2 cup)
1 cup milk
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
4 large eggs
1/2–1 tablespoon sugar (optional, for sweeter puffs)
Sugar for sprinkling (optional, for top)
Honey for serving
Whipped cream or fruit (optional, for serving)

Swaps and Notes

Butter: Unsalted butter is preferred to control saltiness.
Milk: Whole milk will provide the richest flavor, but 2% milk can also be used.
Flour: All-purpose flour is essential for the structure of the choux pastry. Do not substitute with self-rising or gluten-free flour unless you are very experienced with choux pastry.
Eggs: Use large eggs. They are crucial for the texture and rise of the puffs. Ensure they are at room temperature so they incorporate more easily into the dough.
Sugar (in dough): This is optional. For a more savory puff (great for cheese fillings), omit the sugar. For a sweet dessert puff, add 1/2 to 1 tablespoon.
Sugar for Sprinkling: Granulated sugar works well for a subtle crunch and sweetness on top.
Honey: Pure honey for drizzling. Maple syrup or a berry sauce would also be delicious.
Whipped Cream/Fruit: Homemade whipped cream is always best! Fresh berries like strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries are wonderful with these.

Directions

Let’s get these airy Nun’s Puffs baking to golden perfection!

Preheat Oven & Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Generously grease a standard 12-cup muffin tin. Trust me, this is key to easy puff removal later, as choux pastry can stick!
Make the Butter-Milk Base: In a medium saucepan, melt the 1 stick of butter over medium heat. Once melted, add the milk and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. This is where the magic begins as you create the foundation for your choux pastry.
Add Flour (All at Once): As soon as the mixture comes to a boil, remove the saucepan from the heat. Add the 3/4 cup of all-purpose flour all at once to the hot liquid. Immediately get ready to stir vigorously with a sturdy wooden spoon or heatproof spatula. Continue stirring and working the mixture until it pulls away from the sides of the pan and forms a nice, cohesive dough ball. This process helps to cook the flour and activate the starch.
Cool the Dough: Remove the saucepan from heat and let the dough ball cool slightly for about 5 minutes. This is important to prevent the eggs from cooking when added. You can stir it around a bit to help it cool faster.
Incorporate Eggs: Now, the crucial step for puffing! Add the 4 eggs to the dough one at a time. After each egg addition, mix very well and vigorously until the egg is fully incorporated into the dough and the dough looks smooth and glossy before adding the next egg. The dough might look curdled or separated at first, but keep mixing, and it will come together. This process creates the steam that makes the puffs hollow. If you’re adding optional sugar, stir it in now.
Fill Muffin Cups: Divide the smooth, glossy dough evenly among the 12 greased muffin cups. Each cup should be about half to two-thirds full. For a prettier shape, you can use a piping bag with a large round tip (or just snip the end off) to pipe the dough into the cups. Don’t forget to sprinkle the tops with a little extra sugar for that extra little crunch and sparkle.
Bake: Slide the muffin tin into the preheated oven and bake for exactly 30 minutes. Avoid opening the oven door during this time! It can be tempting, but resist the urge. Opening the door can cause the puffs to deflate, and you want them to puff up undisturbed for that airy interior.
Serve: Once they are beautifully golden brown and impressively puffed up, remove them from the oven. Serve them warm, drizzled generously with honey, and if you like, top them with a dollop of fresh whipped cream or a scattering of fresh fruit like berries.

Tips for Success

Accurate Measurements: Choux pastry relies on precise ratios. Measure your ingredients carefully.
Stir Vigorously: When adding the flour, stir quickly and continuously to prevent lumps and ensure the flour is fully cooked into the butter-milk mixture.
Cool Dough Before Eggs: Letting the dough cool slightly prevents the eggs from scrambling when added.
Add Eggs One at a Time: This allows each egg to be fully incorporated and create the correct emulsification for the dough. Don’t add them all at once.
No Peeking! Resist opening the oven door during baking. The sudden temperature drop can cause your delicate puffs to collapse.
Generously Grease: Choux pastry can stick, so a well-greased muffin tin (or parchment paper if using a flat sheet) is essential for easy removal.

Serving Suggestions and Pairings

Nun’s Puffs are incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed in various ways:

Sweet Breakfast/Dessert: Serve warm with honey, maple syrup, chocolate sauce, fresh berries, or whipped cream.
Custard/Cream Filled: Once cooled, you can slice them open and fill them with pastry cream, chocolate pudding, or lemon curd for a more traditional cream puff experience.
Savory Twist: Omit the sugar from the dough. Once baked, you can fill them with savory ingredients like chicken salad, tuna salad, or a creamy cheese mixture (like Easy Cheese Stuffed Chicken Wontons with Ranch Golden Crunchy Addictive https://chefmaniac.com/easy-cheese-stuffed-chicken-wontons-with-ranch-golden-crunchy-addictive/) for a unique appetizer.
Coffee or Tea: They pair perfectly with a hot cup of coffee or tea.
For other comforting and sweet treats, you might also enjoy our Chocolate Chip Banana Bread or a rich batch of Peanut Butter Brownies.

Storage and Leftover Tips

Nun’s Puffs are best enjoyed fresh, but you can store them:

Room Temperature (Unfilled): Store unfilled, cooled puffs in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1-2 days. They may lose some crispness.
Re-crisping: To re-crisp, pop them back into a 300°F (150°C) oven for 5-10 minutes.
Freezing (Unbaked Dough): The dough can be piped onto a baking sheet and frozen. Once solid, transfer to a freezer-safe bag. Bake from frozen (no need to thaw) at the recipe’s temperature, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
Freezing (Baked, Unfilled): Baked and cooled puffs can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 1 month. Thaw at room temperature and re-crisp in the oven before serving.
Filled Puffs: Once filled with cream or fruit, they should be refrigerated and consumed within a few hours to prevent sogginess.

More Recipes You Will Love

If you loved the light, sweet, and delightful nature of these Nun’s Puffs, you’ll definitely want to explore some of our other fantastic dessert and treat recipes:

For another utterly decadent sweet obsession, check out These Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Brownie Bombs Are My Favorite Sweet Obsession.
If you’re into fun, colorful treats that are always a hit, you might enjoy This Unicorn Poke Cake Became My Favorite Party Trick.
And for a classic dessert that’s perfect for feeding a crowd, don’t miss This Big Family Banana Pudding Is My Favorite Classic Dessert to Feed a Crowd.
Finally, for another incredibly easy no-bake summer treat, check out This Easy Ice Cream Sandwich Cake Is My Favorite No-Bake Summer Dessert.

Final Thoughts

These Airy Nun’s Puffs are a testament to the magic of baking – transforming simple ingredients into something truly elegant and delicious. They’re a versatile treat that can be enjoyed plain or dressed up, making them perfect for any sweet craving or special occasion. Give them a try, and prepare to be amazed by your own baking prowess!

Have you ever made choux pastry before, or is this your first time trying these delightful puffs? Share your experience in the comments below! And as always, for more fantastic and easy recipes that bring joy to your kitchen, be sure to visit Chefmaniac.com. Happy baking!