Heavenly Cream Puff Cake Recipe

Heavenly Cream Puff Cake Recipe: Fluffy Delight Made Simple

Baking enthusiasts adore this delightful cream puff cake recipe that brings French bakery magic right into your kitchen.

Sweet layers of airy pastry merge with rich, velvety cream for an irresistible dessert experience.

Delicate choux pastry creates a stunning base that melts in your mouth with every bite.

Each slice promises a decadent journey through textures and flavors that dance together perfectly.

The elegant yet approachable nature of this cake makes it ideal for special occasions or weekend indulgences.

Elegant and simple, this recipe turns ordinary moments into extraordinary culinary memories.

You’ll fall in love with its perfect balance of lightness and creamy decadence.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 201 kcal

Servings: 13

Ingredients for Cream Puff Cake

For Puff Base:
  • Water, Butter: Create a rich, tender foundation that helps the pastry rise and develop a golden, crispy exterior. Choose fresh, high-quality butter for the best flavor and texture.
  • Flour: Provides structure and helps bind the ingredients together. Use all-purpose flour for consistent results.
  • Eggs: Adds richness, helps the pastry rise, and provides a smooth, glossy finish. Select fresh, room-temperature eggs for optimal incorporation.
For Creamy Filling:
  • Cream Cheese: Delivers a tangy, velvety base that adds depth and creaminess. Look for full-fat cream cheese for the most luxurious texture.
  • Milk: Softens the mixture and helps create a silky-smooth consistency. Whole milk works best for maximum richness.
  • Pudding Mix: Introduces sweetness and helps stabilize the filling. Choose vanilla pudding mix for classic flavor.
For Topping:
  • Whipped Topping: Adds a light, airy crown to the dessert. Use store-bought or homemade whipped cream for freshness.
  • Chocolate Syrup: Provides a decadent drizzle that enhances the overall dessert experience. Select a high-quality chocolate syrup for the best taste.

Equipment Checklist for Cream Puff Cake

Equipment & Tools:
  • Medium saucepan: Essential for boiling water and butter, mixing flour.
  • Wooden spoon or spatula: Perfect for stirring mixture while cooking.
  • Large mixing bowl: Needed for beating cream cheese and preparing filling.
  • Electric mixer: Helps blend cream cheese, milk, and pudding mix smoothly.
  • 9×13 inch baking pan: Greased surface for spreading puff pastry base.
  • Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient proportions.
  • Whisk: Useful for beating eggs into pastry mixture.
  • Cooling rack: Allows cake to cool evenly after baking.

Directions for Making Cream Puff Cake

  • Boiling Base

Create a bubbling mixture in a saucepan by heating water and butter until they dance together. Quickly stir in flour, transforming the liquid into a smooth, cohesive ball of dough.

  • Egg Integration

Gently fold eggs into the warm dough, blending until the mixture becomes silky and uniform. Spread this luxurious batter into a waiting baking pan.

  • Golden Transformation

Slide the pan into a hot oven, allowing the batter to puff and turn a gorgeous golden color. Let the cake cool completely, developing its signature texture.

  • Creamy Layer

Whip cream cheese with milk and pudding mix until impossibly smooth. Generously coat the cooled cake with this dreamy filling.

  • Finishing Touches

Crown the cake with fluffy whipped topping and a playful drizzle of chocolate syrup. Chill in the refrigerator to set the delightful layers and enhance the flavors.

Cream Puff Cake: Cooking Tips & Creative Twists

  • Sprinkle fresh berries, sliced strawberries, or mandarin orange segments between the cream cheese layer and whipped topping for a vibrant, refreshing twist.
  • Mix cocoa powder into the cream cheese layer or use chocolate pudding mix to intensify the chocolate experience for serious chocoholics.
  • Sprinkle chopped almonds, pecans, or toasted coconut on top of the whipped cream for added texture and nutty depth to each delicious bite.
  • Divide the puff pastry into smaller portions using a muffin tin for individual servings perfect for parties or portion control.

Best Ways to Serve Cream Puff Cake

  • Elegant Dessert Plating: Slice this heavenly cream puff cake into perfect rectangular portions, garnishing each piece with a delicate chocolate drizzle and a sprinkle of powdered sugar for a sophisticated presentation.
  • Pairing Perfect Companions: Serve alongside a steaming cup of French roast coffee or a chilled glass of dessert wine to complement the cake's rich, creamy texture and enhance its sweet flavor profile.
  • Seasonal Serving Style: Dress up this dessert for special occasions by adding fresh berries like raspberries or strawberries around the plate, creating a colorful and vibrant display that adds a refreshing touch to the decadent cake.
  • Chilled Delight Technique: Keep the cream puff cake refrigerated until the moment of serving to maintain its perfect consistency and ensure the layers remain firm and deliciously cool for maximum enjoyment.

Save & Store Cream Puff Cake Properly

  • Quick Cooling Strategy: Let the cream puff cake cool completely at room temperature for about 1 hour before adding cream cheese layer to prevent soggy texture.
  • Refrigerate Right: Store covered in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, keeping the cake fresh and maintaining its delicate cream texture.
  • Slice and Serve Smartly: Cut into portions only when ready to enjoy, preventing moisture from making the pastry base soggy and preserving its crisp bottom.
  • Freezing Option: Wrap individual slices in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 2 weeks – thaw overnight in the refrigerator for best taste and texture.
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Heavenly Cream Puff Cake Recipe

Heavenly Cream Puff Cake Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 19 reviews

  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 13 1x

Description

Delightful cream puff cake combines classic French pastry techniques with rich custard layers. Elegant dessert promises indulgent moments that will charm dinner guests and satisfy sweet cravings.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup water
  • ½ cup (113 g) butter
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 4 large eggs
  • 8 oz (226 g) cream cheese, softened
  • 2.5 cups cold milk
  • 12 oz (340 g) whipped topping
  • 2 packages (3.4 oz or 96 g) instant vanilla pudding mix
  • ¼ cup chocolate syrup

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly grease a 9×13 inch (23×33 centimeters) baking pan.
  2. Dough Creation: In a medium saucepan, bring water and unsalted butter to a rolling boil, then swiftly incorporate all-purpose flour, stirring until a cohesive dough forms. Remove from heat and let cool briefly.
  3. Egg Integration: Fold eggs into the slightly cooled dough one at a time, mixing thoroughly to create a glossy, uniform texture.
  4. Base Formation: Spread the prepared dough evenly across the greased baking pan, creating a consistent layer.
  5. Baking Process: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until the pastry turns golden-brown and appears puffy. Allow to cool completely at room temperature for 45-60 minutes.
  6. Cream Layer: In a large mixing bowl, whisk cream cheese, whole milk, and instant vanilla pudding mix until smooth and creamy.
  7. Assembly: Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the cooled pastry base, then top with whipped topping and artistically drizzle chocolate syrup.
  8. Chilling: Refrigerate the dessert for at least 2 hours to allow flavors to meld and set properly before serving.

Notes

  • Achieve Perfect Dough Consistency: Stir flour mixture vigorously to prevent lumps and create a smooth, cohesive dough ball quickly after adding flour.
  • Control Egg Integration: Add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly to ensure glossy, uniform texture without overmixing or causing separation.
  • Ensure Proper Baking: Watch carefully during 25-30 minute baking time, looking for golden-brown color and puffy texture to guarantee ideal pastry base.
  • Optimize Chilling Time: Refrigerate for minimum 2 hours to allow flavors to meld and set, creating a perfectly textured and well-integrated dessert.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: French

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 13
  • Calories: 201
  • Sugar: 8 g
  • Sodium: 119 mg
  • Fat: 10 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 22 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 54 mg
Michael Rivera

Michael Rivera

Co-Founder & Culinary Instructor

Expertise

  • Classic French Cuisine
  • Artisanal Bread Baking
  • Plant-Based Culinary Innovation
  • Recipe & Menu Development
  • Interactive Online Instruction

Education

The French Culinary Institute (now part of the International Culinary Center)

  • Program: Classic Culinary Arts
  • Focus: An intensive curriculum rooted in classical French techniques, artisanal bread production, and contemporary culinary methods.

Michael Rivera is a seasoned chef and culinary instructor based in San Francisco, CA. Trained in Classic Culinary Arts at The French Culinary Institute, he refined his skills in Michelin-starred kitchens, mastering classic French techniques and artisanal bread baking. 

Passionate about making gourmet methods accessible, Michael co-founded thatsmyhome.com to share his expertise through interactive online lessons and innovative, plant-based recipes. He loves blending traditional techniques with modern ideas, encouraging home cooks to enjoy the art of cooking in a relaxed, fun environment.

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