Mini profiteroles are an essential to any get together with your favorite people!
Profiteroles are one of my favorite desserts. I could probably eat them every day and not get bored of them. Why I haven't made any in months is a wonder.
A few of my friends and I are getting together next weekend and I've been planning out a few snacks and drinks to serve. To be honest, I am a little nervous. I haven't seen many of these friends in years and I want everything to come out perfectly. One of the downsides of being a former traveler is that most of your friends end up living in another state, or even country, from you.
Since I want everything simple and elegant, I am making everything bite-size. Everything is better bite-sized, right? so these mini profiteroles with strawberry cream will be perfect. Look at how tiny they are? These are small enough that you can easily pop one into your mouth. Okay, maybe putting it that way isn't so elegant, but it's true.
When I want to have a really nice relaxing Girl's Day, I like to splurge on a nice wine since I don't have days like that often. One of the brands I recently tried and am definitely putting on my Girl's Day wine list is Gloria Ferrer (by the way, Gloria Ferrer is having a Spring Photo Contest - you should go check it out and enter!) What I love about these wines is that they are so light and crisp, with a wonderful blend of fruity flavors. It's feminine, but not overly girly.
Did you know Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyards is Carneros’ original sparkling wine house, owned and founded by the Ferrer family of Spain? Named for José Ferrer’s wife, Gloria, the winery opened in 1986 in the breezy, now-famous region in southernmost Sonoma County. Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyards was the fulfillment of a longtime family dream: to make world-class méthode champenoise sparkling wines in an exceptional New World terroir. Their wines have earned over 400 gold medals and 50 90+ scores in the last 5 years.
My favorite is their Royal Cuvée. It is fruity, with hints of citrus and brioche, which pair perfectly with my mini profiteroles with strawberry cream. I just hope my friends enjoy the pairing as much as I do!
Recipe Card
Mini Profiteroles with Strawberry Cream
Ingredients
For the Profiteroles
- ½ cup water
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ½ tablespoon sugar
- ½ cup flour
- 2 large eggs
For the Filling
- 10 strawberries hulled
- 3 tablespoons powdered sugar plus extra for dusting
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone mat.
- In a medium saucepan, heat the water and butter together until the butter is melted and the mixture begins to simmer. Remove from heat.
- Mix together the flour and sugar and then add to the saucepan, stirring well to form a dough. This may be tricky, but keep working at it! Allow the mixture to cool a bit for about 5 minutes.
- Add in the eggs, one at a time, fully incorporating the first before adding the second. It may seem as though the eggs won't mix in, but if you keep mixing, it will eventually incorporate.
- Fit a piping bag with a plain tip and pipe small rounds, about the size of a quarter onto the baking sheet. Use a moistened finger to at down any parts of the dough that point out from the pipe.
- Bake for about 16 - 18 minutes, turning after the first 10 minutes (do not open the oven during the first 10 minutes). The profiteroles should look puffed and a light golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely on a wire rack. Cut each mini profiterole horizontally.
- In a food processor, add the strawberries, powdered sugar, and lemon juice together. Blend for about 1 - 2 minutes, or until it has the consistency of sauce. Set aside.
- Beat the heavy cream with a chilled bowl and whisk until soft peaks form. Slowly add the strawberry sauce one tablespoon at a time until it reaches the desired strawberry flavor (it took about 9 tablespoons until I was satisfied). Fully mix in each tablespoon of the strawberry sauce before adding in more. You should have strawberry sauce remaining.
- Fit a piping bag with a large star tip and fill with the strawberry cream. Pipe the cream into the bottom halves of the profiteroles and place the tops of the profiteroles over the cream. If you do not want to pipe the cream, you may use a small spoon.
- Top each profiterole with a dusting of powdered sugar. Use the remaining strawberry sauce as a dip for the profiteroles.
Sharron says
Can I make them the day before I need them?
Amanda Powell says
Hey! You can make the pastry itself the day before, just let them cool and cut them right away. I would not make the filling until the day you need it because the cream isn’t stable enough to last overnight without weeping. You can make the strawberry sauce when you make the pastry though!
Lei Agnew says
Hi, was just wondering if I could make the puffs a few days in advance and store them in an air-tight container before filling them when I need them?
Amanda says
Hi Lei, Yes, you can do that. I recommend cutting the puffs right away before storing to prevent sinking and the inside getting soft and damp from the steam trapped inside. I actually prefer to store them in the freezer in an air tight container, but room temperature works just as well if it is only for a few days.
Lei Agnew says
Thanks for getting back to me so soon. I actually wasn't going to cut them open, just wanted to pipe filling in to them thru a small hole. I guess, if I'm going to store them, then cutting is the better option.
Amanda says
Hi Lei, you may still be able to do that if you poke a hole in them before you store them. The idea is to let that hot steam inside escape so it doesn't cool, then create moisture inside the puffs.
Louise Murray says
These look absolutely delightful. Is there any way that the recipe could get some slightly more specific measurements? I'm just worried that your 'cup' size and my 'cup' size will be different. Thanks so much.
Eden Passante says
How adorable are these?! Love it! They look amazing!
Tina Park says
Oh my goodness, your mini profiteroles look so yummy!! And strawberry cream - my favourite! I'm going to bug my boyfriend to bake this for me heheh - thanks for sharing the recipe 🙂
http://tinaparkblog.com/
Joanne says
Aww I'm sure you'll have SO MUCH FUN with your girlfriends!! I mean, with good wine and even BETTER treats...how could you not?!
Zainab says
Wine and purses are things I do not mind splurging on! These profiteroles are just adorable and I love the cream filling. I will eat a dozen before knowing what's up I am sure!
Christina @ Bake with Christina says
Those are SO cute and adorable, and not to mention, very tasty looking!! That strawberry cream has such a beautiful color to it! Pinned 🙂
Lynn \ The Road to Honey says
How cute are these profiteroles? These are guaranteed to impress your friends. Wishing I had a plateful in front of me right now. . .I'd eat them all dainty and elegantly. . .promise.
Amanda says
These are so pretty!!!
June Burns says
Such cute little pastries! Love the strawberry cream 🙂
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
The cutest little profiteroles ever! I love these Amanda.. and so perfect for spring too.
Christina @ The Beautiful Balance says
Everything you bring will be perfect, without a doubt! These are gorgeous and sound incredible. Love the classic combination of strawberries and sparkling wine. Can't beat it!
Ala says
Profiteroles are the best! Granted, I've never made one – these look so dainty and cute that I might just rent my kitchen right now and whip one up. I especially love that strawberry cream: perfect for the summer months. Thanks for sharing, Amanda!
Michelle @ Hummingbird High says
These are so cute! I can imagine that they'll be a hit at your party, especially with the champagne!