Monday, June 16, 2008

TWD: (Peppermint) Chocolate Cream Puff Ring

This week, Caroline, of A Consuming Passion, selected Peppermint Cream Puff Ring as our TWD challenge. We had several options for the filling – a peppermint flavored whipped cream, ice cream, and a chocolate pastry cream. After checking the ingredients on hand, I chose the chocolate pastry cream.


The pâte à choux was straight-forward to prepare. After boiling the liquids and stirring in the flour, I let the mixture cool ever so slightly before beating in the eggs. Then, I piped a large ring, per Dorie’s instructions, with just enough left over to make four small cream puffs. They were all baked together, following the recipe instructions, and came out perfectly puffed and golden brown. When the ring was cool, I sliced it in half and filled it with the chocolate pastry cream, then reassembled it before spreading on the chocolate glaze. Truly an easy dessert!




For the pastry cream, I use a simple approach. I mix all the dry ingredients in a saucepan (sugar, cornstarch, and salt), then add the eggs, beating thoroughly. Slowly, I stir in the cold milk until everything is mixed together. Then, I place it on medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture is nice and thick. At this point, I add the butter, which has been cut into pieces, stirring until it is all incorporated. For the chocolate version, I stir in bittersweet chocolate that I have chopped into small pieces, so that it melts instantly. After transferring the pastry cream to a bowl, I place plastic wrap directly on top of it and refrigerate it. I use this method for pastry cream, puddings, crème anglaise, etc. One pan, easy to do, never fails. It can also be strained to make it velvety smooth.



Enjoy looking at all the delicious variations over at the Tuesdays with Dorie blog site.

17 comments:

Big Boys Oven said...

looks very waesomely good! wow!

ostwestwind said...

Your ring look gorgeous!

Ulrike from Küchenlatein

Engineer Baker said...

Glad to know I wasn't the only one who thought it was a relatively straightforward dessert. Beautiful ring!

Heather B said...

your ring looks beautiful and delicious! Great job!

April said...

Great looking ring, I'm sure it was yummy!

LyB said...

It looks delicious! I'm definitely going to try the chocolate pastry cream. :)

Susie Homemaker said...

I think the dough gets easier to make each and every time...so great job! I think yours sounds so yummy! great post!

Anonymous said...

How can you go wrong with chocolate? It looks great!

Anonymous said...

I'm always impressed with your creations, but what really stood out to me was your method of making pastry cream. I use the "tempering" method, but yours is so much simpler. I'm going to have to try it!

marae said...

i love it...just divine looking!!

Jules Someone said...

Very very nice! Can I come over and share?

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous! Dorie's chocolate pastry cream is so good.

Annemarie said...

Very well done!

Unknown said...

Your ring looks gorgeous!

Jaime said...

your cream puff ring looks so chocolately good! great job

Anonymous said...

Oh, that looks soooo good, as does your lovely sourdough! I just got back from vacation, and can't wait to start baking!

Dolores said...

I so admire those of you brave enough to make rings... I chickened out and made a ring of cream puffs. Great job...I love the look of the chocolate pastry cream.