Description
Classic French pastry brown butter chouquettes showcase delicate puffs sprinkled with pearl sugar, offering a rich and elegant treat. Crisp exteriors and delicate interiors invite bakers to explore this simple yet sophisticated Parisian-style dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
- 240 g eggs (lightly beaten, plus more if needed)
- 125 g whole milk
- 125 g water
- 165 g all-purpose flour
- 110 g unsalted butter (brown butter)
- 15 g sugar
- 5 g kosher salt
- 5 g vanilla bean paste
- Swedish pearl sugar (for topping)
Instructions
- Brown Butter Creation: Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly until it transforms into a golden-brown hue with a rich, nutty fragrance. Transfer to a bowl and let cool slightly.
- Preparation Setup: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper, creating discreet 1 1/4 inch circle guides by flipping the paper after tracing.
- Dough Base Formation: Combine milk, water, brown butter, salt, vanilla extract, and sugar in a pot. Bring to a vigorous boil, then immediately remove from heat. Swiftly integrate flour, returning to heat and stirring continuously for 2 minutes to eliminate excess moisture.
- Mixing and Incorporation: Transfer mixture to a stand mixer with paddle attachment. Mix on medium speed to reduce temperature, then gradually introduce eggs on low speed until achieving a smooth, consistent texture.
- Piping and Topping: Fill a piping bag with a round tip and carefully pipe dough onto prepared circles, using a subtle wrist motion. Smooth any pointed edges with a moistened fingertip. Liberally dust Swedish pearl sugar over the piped dough.
- Baking Process: Place in preheated oven and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 15 minutes. Reduce temperature to 350°F (175°C) and continue baking for 10-15 minutes until achieving a golden-brown exterior.
- Finishing Touch: Create small vents in each chouquette using a knife. Transfer to a wire rack and allow to cool completely, ensuring a crisp and delicate pastry texture.
Notes
- Butter Browning Technique: Carefully monitor butter while browning to achieve a golden-brown color without burning, which develops a rich, nutty flavor essential to the recipe’s unique taste.
- Dough Consistency Check: Evaluate dough thickness by ensuring it’s smooth and pulls away from the pot’s sides during mixing, indicating proper moisture removal and texture.
- Piping Precision: Use a steady hand when piping to create uniform circles, ensuring even baking and consistent size for professional-looking chouquettes.
- Sugar Sprinkling Strategy: Apply Swedish pearl sugar generously before baking to create a delightful crunchy exterior that adds texture and visual appeal to the final pastry.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 21
- Calories: 66
- Sugar: 0.7g
- Sodium: 10mg
- Fat: 3.4g
- Saturated Fat: 2.1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8.5g
- Fiber: 0.3g
- Protein: 1.5g
- Cholesterol: 31mg