Course
Dessert
Cuisine
Traditional
Preparation Time
30 minutes
Cooking Time
30 minutes
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
15 puffs
Ingredients
For the Craquelin
- 60 g of T65 flour (or 30 g of rice flour and 30 g of starch for a gluten-free version)
- 60 g of brown sugar (brown sugar has a coarser grain than powdered or granulated sugar, which is important for crunchiness)
- 50 g of butter
For the Puffs
- 100 g of T65 flour (or 60 g of rice flour and 40 g of starch for a gluten-free version)
- 3 eggs
- 75 g of butter
- 1 teaspoon of sugar
- A pinch of salt
For the Whipped Cream and Strawberries
- 250 g of heavy liquid cream, chilled
- 130 g of mascarpone, chilled
- 50 g of Thermomix vanilla sugar
- 250 g of fragrant strawberries, preferably Gariguettes
Preparation
Making the Craquelin
- Mix the Ingredients: In the bowl of your Thermomix, add 60 g of flour, 60 g of brown sugar, and 50 g of butter (room temperature; otherwise, mix for a shorter time). Blend at speed 5 for 30 seconds.
- Form a Ball: Shape the mixture into a ball and place it between two sheets of parchment paper.
- Roll and Cut: Roll out the dough to a thickness of 1 mm, then cut small circles the size of your future puffs (you can use the top edge of a piping tip for this). Place them on a tray or large plate and refrigerate while preparing the choux pastry.
Making the Puffs
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 250°C (preferably static heat).
- Prepare the Mixture: In the Thermomix bowl, combine 125 g of water, 75 g of butter, 1 teaspoon of sugar, and 3 pinches of salt. Bring to a boil for 5 minutes at 100°C, speed 1.
- Incorporate the Flour: Add 100 g of flour and mix for 30 seconds at speed 3, without the measuring cup.
- Cooling Time: Open the bowl and allow it to cool until the temperature detected by the device reaches 45 to 50°C (about 10 minutes).
- Prepare a Baking Tray: Meanwhile, prepare a non-stick baking tray or line one with parchment paper.
- Incorporate the Eggs: Replace the bowl and set the Thermomix to speed 5 (without a set time). Add the 3 eggs one by one through the top opening (be careful of shell fragments! If unsure, crack the eggs into a bowl first). Once all the eggs are added, blend for an additional 30 seconds.
- Pipe the Choux: Using a piping bag fitted with a plain tip of 8 to 12 mm, pipe small mounds of dough on the tray, slightly larger than 2 cm in diameter and about 1 cm high, spacing them well and staggering them.
- Add the Craquelin: Place a disc of craquelin on each mound of dough and press lightly to adhere.
- Bake: Place the tray in the preheated oven at 250°C, then immediately turn off the oven. After 12 minutes, turn the oven back on to 160°C (preferably static heat) and bake for 20 minutes or until the puffs are beautifully golden.
Making the Mascarpone Whipped Cream
- Whipping the Cream: If you have an electric whisk, feel free to use it to whip the cream, especially if you’ve struggled with mascarpone whipped cream in the Thermomix before. In this case, place 250 g of very cold heavy cream and 130 g of mascarpone (both at refrigerator temperature) in a large bowl and refrigerate for about 10 minutes.
- Whip Until Firm: Whip the mixture until it holds well, then add 50 g of Thermomix vanilla sugar and continue whipping until the whipped cream holds its shape.
- Using the Thermomix: If you prefer using the Thermomix, wash the bowl, then refrigerate it for about 10 minutes. In the clean, chilled bowl fitted with the whisk, add about 250 g of heavy cream and 130 g of mascarpone. Whip for 1 minute and 30 seconds at speed 3.
- Add the Vanilla Sugar: After this time, add 50 g of Thermomix vanilla sugar and continue whipping at speed 4 until your desired consistency is reached (do not over-whip, or you will end up with a very thick cream turning to butter). The whipping time can vary from 1 to 3 minutes or more, so adjust according to the exact composition of your cream and other factors such as room temperature.
Assembling with Strawberries
- Prepare the Strawberries: Wash and dry the strawberries. Cut them into small pieces.
- Prepare the Puffs: Using a serrated knife (bread knife), cut the puffs in half.
- Dust with Powdered Sugar: Using a fine sieve, lightly dust the tops of the puffs with powdered sugar.
- Fill the Puffs: Fill the bases of the puffs with whipped cream (preferably using a piping bag fitted with a star tip), then add the strawberry pieces. Close the puffs and serve quickly!
Notes
- Make Ahead: The craquelin and puffs can be made the day before (or even two days in advance for the craquelin, stored in the fridge). The puffs should be stored at room temperature, uncovered, in a dry place.
- Storing Whipped Cream: The mascarpone whipped cream can be made a few hours in advance, provided it is stored in the fridge and covered. However, only fill the puffs shortly before serving to fully enjoy the textures.
Conclusion
Craquelin cream puffs with mascarpone whipped cream and strawberries are a delightful dessert that will surely impress your guests. With their crunchiness and creamy filling, every bite is a true explosion of flavors and textures. Whether for a special occasion or just to treat yourself, this recipe is perfect.
Suggestions for Variations
For those who wish to customize this recipe, here are a few variations to try:
- Other Fruits: Replace strawberries with raspberries, blueberries, or mango for a different fruity experience.
- Chocolate: Add chocolate chips to the whipped cream for a chocolaty twist.
- Spices: Incorporate a pinch of cinnamon or cardamom into the whipped cream for a spiced flavor explosion.
- Crunchy Toppings: Add chopped roasted pecans or slivered almonds for extra crunch.
Perfect for Special Occasions
Craquelin puffs are also ideal for special occasions such as weddings, birthdays, or holiday celebrations. By adding edible decorations on top, like edible glitter or flower petals, they can become a true centerpiece on your table.
A Moment of Sharing
Preparing craquelin puffs is also a wonderful opportunity to spend time with family or friends. Invite your loved ones to help, as everyone can participate in the preparation while sharing laughs and stories. This moment of togetherness will make the dessert even more delicious, as it will be the result of collaborative effort.
Final Conclusion
In summary, craquelin cream puffs with mascarpone whipped cream and strawberries are not only a treat for the taste buds but also a joy to make. Whether enjoyed with family, friends, or during a special event, this dessert is always sure to steal the show. So, put on your aprons and indulge in this delicious recipe! 🍓✨
