Chocolate Peanut Butter Cream Puffs offer a delightful twist on a beloved classic, combining the timeless elegance of choux pastry with the irresistible duo of rich chocolate and creamy peanut butter. This recipe transforms a traditional family favorite into an extraordinary dessert experience that’s both fun to make and utterly scrumptious.

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Irresistible Chocolate Peanut Butter Cream Puffs: A Decadent Family Favorite

Prepare yourself for an explosion of flavor and texture! These Chocolate Peanut Butter Cream Puffs are truly a masterpiece, boasting a light, airy shell that gives way to a decadent, fluffy peanut butter cream filling, all infused with rich chocolate. This isn’t just a dessert; it’s a celebration of two of the world’s most cherished flavors coming together in perfect harmony. Get ready to indulge in the puffiest, creamiest, and most gloriously peanut buttery treat you’ve ever encountered!

A Family Tradition Reimagined: The Magic of Cream Puffs

In our family, cream puffs hold a special place, evoking cherished memories of gatherings and celebrations. My mom, affectionately known as SuSu, has been gracing parties and showers with her classic cream puff recipe for as long as I can remember. Her original recipe is nothing short of amazing – a culinary legacy I intend to carry forward for generations. However, a little creative inspiration led me to experiment with my absolute favorite flavor combination: chocolate and peanut butter. The result? A truly scrumptious rendition that takes the beloved classic to an entirely new level of deliciousness!

The beauty of cream puffs lies in their delicate choux pastry shell, which bakes up light and hollow, creating the perfect vessel for a rich filling. By incorporating chocolate directly into the pastry and crafting a luscious peanut butter cream, we’ve elevated this humble dessert into an unforgettable indulgence. It’s a delightful blend of tradition and innovation, perfect for impressing guests or simply treating yourself to an extraordinary sweet escape.

Crafting Your Own Chocolate Peanut Butter Cream Puffs: A Step-by-Step Guide

Making cream puffs might seem intimidating, but with a clear guide and a few helpful tips, you’ll be creating bakery-worthy treats in no time. The process involves two main components: the airy chocolate choux pastry shells and the irresistible peanut butter cream filling.

Yields: 12 Servings

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

Ingredients:

For the Chocolate Puffs:

1 cup water
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
1 tablespoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup all-purpose flour
4 large eggs
1-1/4 cups mini chocolate chips, divided

For the Peanut Butter Cream Filling:

3/4 cup heavy cream (cold)
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

Instructions:

Prepare Your Workspace: Begin by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. This non-stick surface is crucial for preventing the delicate choux pastry from sticking and ensures even baking. Set them aside while you prepare the puff mixture.

Making the Choux Pastry (Puffs): In a medium-sized, heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the water, unsalted butter, sugar, and salt. Bring this mixture to a rolling boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, immediately reduce the heat to low. Add the all-purpose flour all at once.
Forming the Panade: Using a sturdy wooden spoon, beat the mixture vigorously for approximately 1 minute. Continue beating until the mixture forms a ball, pulling away cleanly from the sides of the pan and forming a smooth, cohesive dough (this is called the panade). This step is vital for cooking out excess moisture from the flour.
Cooling the Mixture: Remove the pan from the heat. Continue beating the dough for about 2 minutes to cool it slightly. This step is crucial; if the mixture is too hot when you add the eggs, they will scramble instead of incorporating smoothly.
Adding the Eggs: Add the eggs one at a time, beating vigorously after each addition. Beat for at least one minute per egg, ensuring each egg is fully incorporated into the dough before adding the next. The dough will look curdled and separated at first, but keep beating until it comes back together into a smooth, glossy, and satiny consistency. This vigorous beating is essential for developing the structure that allows the puffs to rise.
Incorporating Chocolate Chips: Once the eggs are fully incorporated, fold in 3/4 cup of the mini chocolate chips. Continue to beat gently until the chocolate chips melt and are smoothly integrated into the dough, creating a rich chocolate-flavored choux pastry.
Baking the Puffs: Drop the dough by heaping tablespoons onto your prepared baking sheets, leaving a couple of inches between each puff to allow for expansion. Sprinkle each puff with a few additional mini chocolate chips for extra visual appeal and flavor.
Bake to Perfection: Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the puffs are beautifully golden brown, crisp to the touch, and lightweight. It’s crucial not to open the oven door during the first 20-25 minutes of baking, as this can cause the puffs to deflate. Once baked, transfer the puffs immediately to wire racks to cool completely. Cooling thoroughly prevents them from becoming soggy.

Making the Peanut Butter Cream Filling: While the puffs cool, prepare the luscious filling. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whip the cold heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Ensure your cream is very cold for the best results.
Finishing the Filling: Add the granulated sugar and creamy peanut butter to the whipped cream. Continue to whisk on medium-high speed for about 3 minutes, or until the filling is wonderfully smooth, fluffy, and well combined.

Assembly and Serving: Once the chocolate puffs have cooled completely, carefully cut each puff in half horizontally. Using a spoon or a piping bag, generously fill each puff with a spoonful of the creamy peanut butter filling. Serve immediately and savor every incredible bite!

Expert Tips for Perfect Cream Puffs Every Time

Creating crisp, airy cream puffs is an art, but these insider tips will help you achieve perfection:

Don’t Rush the Panade: Thoroughly beating the flour mixture until it leaves the sides of the pan ensures you’ve cooked out enough moisture, which is key for a light, hollow puff.
Cool Before Eggs: Always cool your panade slightly before adding eggs. Hot dough will cook the eggs, leading to a lumpy and unusable mixture.
Vigorous Beating for Eggs: When adding eggs, don’t be shy with your beating! It helps emulsify the fat and water, creating the structure for the puffs to rise beautifully. The dough should be smooth and glossy.
No Peeking in the Oven: Resist the urge to open the oven door, especially during the first 20-25 minutes. A sudden drop in temperature can cause your delicate puffs to collapse.
Bake Until Truly Crisp: Cream puffs should be crisp and lightweight, not just golden. If they are removed too early, residual moisture can cause them to become soggy and dense after cooling.
Re-Crisping for Freshness: The best way to enjoy cream puffs is shortly after they are baked and filled. However, if you’ve prepared the shells ahead of time, you can re-crisp them. Place cooled shells in a 375°F (190°C) oven for 3-5 minutes before filling.
Freezing for Future Enjoyment: You can bake and cool the empty cream puff shells, then freeze them in an airtight container for up to a month. Thaw them at room temperature, then re-crisp in the oven before filling and serving.
Cold Cream for Whipping: For the best results with your peanut butter cream filling, ensure your heavy cream is very cold. You can even chill your mixing bowl and whisk attachment for 10-15 minutes beforehand to aid in achieving stiff peaks faster.

More Chocolate and Peanut Butter Goodness to Savor

The culinary world agrees: chocolate and peanut butter are a match made in heaven. If you can’t get enough of this dynamic duo, you’re in luck! I have a host of other recipes that celebrate this incredible combination, perfect for any occasion or craving:

Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream Pie: This stunning dessert marries crunchy Oreo cookies with rich peanut butter, all wrapped up in a cold, creamy, and unbelievably delicious ice cream pie. Every slice promises love at first bite!
Healthy 5-Ingredient Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls: For those moments when you crave a sweet treat without the guilt, these delightful balls are the answer. Made with wholesome granola for crunch, natural honey for sweetness, and decadent dark chocolate, they’re a snack you can truly feel good about enjoying.
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk Cookies: Forget ordinary cookies! These are big, thick, and wonderfully chewy peanut buttery cookies, generously loaded with gooey, melt-in-your-mouth chocolate chunks. They are simply irresistible and a favorite for cookie lovers everywhere.

Share Your Culinary Creations!

I absolutely adore seeing your inspired takes on my recipes. If you whip up these magnificent Chocolate Peanut Butter Cream Puffs, please don’t hesitate to snap a picture and share it with me! Tag me on Instagram @thebakermama so I can admire your creativity. Your culinary adventures bring me so much joy. Happy baking, and most importantly, enjoy every single bite!

xoxo,