Ingredients

For Choux Pastry:

• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup + 1/2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 & 1/2 tsp granulated sugar
• 1/2 tsp fine salt
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 4 large eggs, at room temperature, plus 1 extra if necessary

Espresso Cream:

• 1 & 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/3 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tbsp cocoa powder
• 1 tbsp espresso powder

To Decorate:

• 8 ounces dark chocolate 70%
• 1 tsp espresso powder
• 1 tsp unsalted butter
• Gold star sprinkles (optional)

Instructions

Choux Pastry:

Preheat the oven to 390°F. In a medium saucepan, add the water, butter, sugar and salt, and bring to a boil over medium-low heat, melting the butter and dissolving the sugar.

Remove the pan from the heat and add the flour immediately. With a wooden spoon, beat vigorously until completely combined, and then return to the heat for 2 minutes and continue to beat until the mixture comes away from the sides of the pan and forms a ball. You’ll see a film form on the base of your saucepan, and you’ll know it’s ready.

Remove the mixture from the heat and place it in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat for 1 minute on low speed to release some steam. Stop when you don’t see anymore steam coming out of the bowl and the mixture has cooled slightly. In a small bowl, whisk 4 eggs together.

Increase the speed to medium and add 3/4 of the whisked eggs a little at a time, beating well after each addition. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl halfway through. It may look curdled to start with but will come together as you beat the mixture. Once the eggs have been fully incorporated, beat the mixture for a further 2 minutes.

For the perfect consistency, the choux pastry should be smooth and shiny and should hold its shape when piped. Another sign that the batter is ready is when the beater or a rubber spatula is pulled up and a thick V-shaped ribbon forms, of smooth dropping consistency. If your pastry has not achieved this consistency, add the remaining egg and test the consistency again. If you need more egg, then whisk the 5th egg in a small bowl, and add a tiny bit at a time. Stop adding the egg as soon as you get the right consistency. I doubt that you’ll need all this egg. Set aside any remaining egg for egg wash.

Spoon the choux pastry dough into a piping bag fitted with a ½-inch plain round nozzle. (You can also use a zip lock bag with the corner cut off for piping.) Line a large baking tray with parchment paper. While holding the piping bag upright and keeping the tip of the piping tip touching the choux pastry, pipe 12 2-inch wide mounds onto the prepared tray. Keep them 1-inch apart. Using a pastry brush dipped in water, brush the parchment paper around the mounds. The water creates steam in the oven, which helps puff up the choux.

Using the tip of your finger dipped in water, smooth the points of each mound. This stops the peaks from burning in the oven. Add milk into the remaining egg and whisk together. Brush this egg wash gently over the top of the choux pastry mounds.

Place the tray in the oven and bake for 10 minutes before lowering the oven temperature to 350°F and continue to bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until golden brown and crisp. Skewer a hole in the bottom of each choux bun to allow the steam to escape. Return to the oven for 5 to 10 minutes, and then remove from the oven and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Espresso Cream:

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, add the cream, powdered icing sugar, cocoa powder, espresso powder and salt and whisk until soft peaks form. Scoop into a piping bag fitted with a small round piping tip. (Alternatively use an electric handheld mixer or whisk by hand)

To Assemble and Decorate:

Add the chocolate, butter and espresso powder to a bowl set over a saucepan of boiling water. Ensure the bowl doesn’t touch the water, otherwise, the chocolate will freeze. Stir the chocolate until it has fully melted and combined with the butter and espresso powder.

Push the piping tip through the hole you made to release steam and fill the choux bun with espresso cream. You’ll know when it’s filled up as it will feel heavier in your hand and a bit of cream will ooze out of the hole.

Dip the top of each filled choux bun into the melted chocolate, letting any excess drip off. Then set aside for the chocolate to set. Place profiteroles into a circle, piling them onto one another. Sprinkle some gold star sprinkles over the top as a festive touch.

Recipe from Emma Duckworth Bakes