Hard to believe that it is already June! The school year is coming to a close and the glory days of summer are quickly approaching! I’m thrilled to introduce you to Sandra of Sandra’s Easy Cooking as this month’s Top Mom. Many of you probably know Sandra from the comments she leaves on your posts. She tirelessly visits countless blogs in support of her fellow foodies and her energy and positivity seems to have no bounds.
Sandra has worked in all the areas she dreamed of: photography, fashion design, chef, artist, and teacher. Twelve years ago she met her husband and fell instantly in love and she’s more in ♥love♥ than ever after 11 years of marriage! She considers being able to stay at home with their three children to be the greatest gift she could ever receive.
When I discovered that Sandra came to the U.S. from Yugoslavia, I asked her if there was a special dish that her mom used to make that she could share here. We’re so lucky that one of the things that Sandra fondly remembers from her childhood are cream puffs :-), which she just recently learned to make! So here’s a gift from Sandra’s kitchen to yours!
Cream Puffs
Adapted from Keiko Master-Pastry
Ingredients:
2 cups of skim milk
1 stick of unsalted butter
2 cups of all purpose flour
1 Tbs. of sugar
1 teaspoon of salt
1/2 teaspoon of baking powder
8 eggs
Directions:
Bring milk, butter, sugar and salt to boil
Put the flour all at once(with baking powder) and mix rapidly until the dough cook and it forms a ball
Turn off the heat and let the dough cool down a bit (I waited for 5 minutes)
Mix eggs in the bowl and pour just a little at the time, mixing as hard as you can with your wooden spoon. It is real workout just to let you know.. honestly next time I will use electric mixer!:))
When all the eggs are incorporated put it on the side.
Preheat the oven to 375 F
Use spoon or Head/neck: round tube with 1/5 inch
Body: round tube (2/5 inch) to push them out in a un-greased baking pan.
Spray the puff shells with water. The puff shells will stop growing as soon as the surface turns dry (and crunchy). Therefore, when spraying the puff shells with water, it takes more time before they turn dry and they grow bigger in the oven.
Bake but DO NOT OPEN the oven for the next 30 minutes +20 min. to dry.
The 20 minutes are needed to dry the surface of the puff shells and make it more crunchy. Otherwise, it is too soft. The puff shells look well done after 30 minutes already… that’s normal. I let them rest in the turned off oven for 20 minutes and than 10 more minutes out of the oven.
Cut them and fill when they are cooled down or like did here just insert pastry bag to pipe the filling on the bottom of the cream puff shell.
For the filling:
Mix 3 cups of cold skim milk(fat free) with large vanilla pudding, about 2 minutes until it forms. Add 4 Tbs. Of Whipped Cream and combine well just by folding.
Put it in the fridge!
*I added 1 teaspoon of the fat free whipped cream on top of the pudding, but it optional. Also you can toss some powdered sugar or chocolate rind on top.
Can you believe how luscious these puffs are? Even for someone who doesn’t have a sweet tooth, I find these irresistible!
For more instructional photos on the cream puffs and other fabulous family-tested recipes, take a minute and visit Sandra’s Easy Cooking.
Tanantha
June 1 at 4:24 pmWow it’s perfectly puffed! It’s less complicated than I thought making cream puff. Thanks so much for a recipe. That’s so great that Sandra could do all stuff you wanted and happily marriage!! The last pic just got me droollllllllllllll
Sandra's Easy Cooking
June 1 at 5:31 pmThank you so much for asking me to be your June top mom! It was both honor and pleasure!!! I just hope everybody like it!!!:)
Have a wonderful day!
Thanks again!
Nami @ Just One Cookbook
June 1 at 6:33 pmYes, Sandra is a special person and I highly admire of her. The cream puff is my husband’s top3 desserts, and I told him I don’t know how to cook it, but now I guess I have to give it a try. It doesn’t look too easy for a non-baker like me, but I’m willing to try for some special occasion. Thank you for sharing the beautiful and delicious treats. And I’m first time here and glad to find this website. Just started to follow you on facebook & twitter!
FreeSpiritEater
June 1 at 6:56 pmCONGRATULATIONS SANDRA! You most certainly deserve this honor! It’s true that you are so supportive of your fellow bloggers, I’m always excited to read your comments and even more excited to read your posts! It’s great being able to learn a bit more about one of my favorite bloggers! Thank you for giving this honor to Sandra, she definitely deserves it. Congrats again, keep up the wonderful job! <3 =]
P.S. Those cream puffs are just mouthwatering, Yum! Thanks for sharing such a special recipe with us =]
Lisa { AuthenticSuburbanGourmet }
June 1 at 7:47 pmHow I love a great cream puff and this one from Sandra looks simply divine. What a lovely post you did for her! 🙂
5 Star Foodie
June 1 at 8:04 pmThese cream puffs look picture perfect, scrumptious treats!
[email protected]
June 1 at 8:10 pmOh my my my… I would looooove to just bite into one of those cream puffs!! They are gorgeous!
louise
June 1 at 8:15 pmlovely… they look so light and fluffy! pate a choux is my friend…
Mina @ Angellove's Cooking
June 1 at 11:07 pmCongrats Sandra!!! Well, well deserved!! Your cream puffs look as gorgeous as everything you cook! 🙂
Jeannie
June 1 at 11:11 pmI have drooled over Sandra’s food photos many times and am going to drool over these beautiful puffs too! Lovely!
The Harried Cook
June 2 at 12:07 amCame over from Sandra’s site, and I love all the things she whips up. She is incredible! This cream puff post just proves it… They look amazing and delicious! Congrats, Sandra!
I am glad to find your site too, Priscilla! I look forward to following you & seeing what you’re going to serve up 🙂
Sawsan @ chef in disguise
June 2 at 12:51 amSandra’s creations are a joy for the eyes and her blog is a warm and welcoming place 🙂
I love cream puffs but have never attemped to make them..now I have to do that soon
I only found your blog today through Sandra’s link..following on facebook from now on 🙂
Laura @ Family Spice
June 2 at 6:19 amI adore cream puffs! We have them in Iran, too. Did we are steal them from the French? Gorgeous picture!
Lin Ann
June 2 at 6:33 amCongrats to Sandra! What a nice post about her. I enjoy her blog very much. Always great recipes, like this one, and beautiful photos! Amazing!
Tina (PinayInTexas)
June 2 at 8:31 amI find Sandra and her blog really amazing, and I’m truly her fan! She’s perfect to be She’s Cookin’s Top Mom for this month!!! Her cream puffs are so mouthwatering just like all of her other creations!
Glad to find your blog thru Sandra’s Easy Cooking! Following you now on Twitter & FB! See you around, Priscilla…
Cristina
June 2 at 9:09 amOh! I luv cream puffs and these look dreamy. I’ll take a dozen please! Thanks for sharing and introducing Sandra…I’m headed over there right now!
Gerry
June 2 at 9:22 amThese look really awesome and I cant wait to check out the rest of your blog
Thanks!!
RavieNomNoms
June 2 at 9:56 amWOW those look so good! I love Sandra! She is always such a ray of shine when she comes to my blog. She is the best! Along with yourself! 2 of my favorite women! 🙂
Sandra
June 2 at 10:17 amWonderful recipe and do they ever look yumm! Sandra is one of the kindest people you’ll wever come in contact. She makes herself available to share her blogger wisdom at any time. It’s been an absolute joy getting to know her. Not to mention those awesome recipes and pictures!
Magic of Spice
June 2 at 10:18 amHi Sandra…Top Mom indeed 🙂 These are amazing and I’ll take 2 for breakfast 😉
Baking Serendipity
June 2 at 10:25 amThese cream puffs look fantastic! Number one mom and cream puff maker for sure 🙂
Erin
June 2 at 10:49 amLove Sandra’s Blog – she is a Top Mom for sure! These cream puffs sound delicious!
rebecca
June 2 at 11:44 amlovely guest post and man I want one of these wow you guys are star gardeners winning those awards love it
Liz
June 2 at 4:19 pmPriscilla, thanks for sharing one of my favorite bloggers…these cream puffs look outstanding!!!
Sandra, you are definitely a top mom…and a maker of exquisite desserts! Wonderful guest post!!! I’d love a whole plate full of these!
Angie's Recipes
June 2 at 8:52 pmSandra, those cream puffs look heavenly! Thanks, Priscilla, Sandra, for this wonderfully delicious guest post!
Angie
Jamie @ Wokintime
June 2 at 10:54 pmI didn’t know Sandra was from Yugoslavia! Awesome! Gorgeous cream puffs. I love both your sites.
Katrina @ In Katrina's Kitchen
June 3 at 3:40 amSandra – you are just a sweetheart. We all love you! I feel so honored to have “met” you. I especially love your heart for your children. I feel the same way- blessed to be able to stay home with my young children. You keep rocking these posts by the way! I am so very very proud of you for this honor on She’s Cookin.! Congrats Girl!
Carolyn
June 3 at 4:09 amYay, you’re featuring one of my favourite bloggers ever! Well, besides you of course 😉
Cream puffs look DEEElish!
torviewtoronto
June 3 at 5:04 amlovely post nice to know about Sandra
delicious looking cream puffs
spcookiequeen
June 3 at 8:05 amGreat to know even more about Sandra, I’ve loved visiting her for a while now. But when we do meet, I’m going to expect those cream puffs. Mmmm.
-Gina-
Priscilla
June 3 at 8:25 amThanks to everyone for your lovely comments about Sandra and our blogs! We’re both feeling the love and you’ve made our week 🙂
It was my pleasure having Sandra here and gazing at her gorgeous creampuffs!
@ApronAppeal – I’m glad you found me through Sandra, too. Let me know how the kebabs turn out – besides being easy to make, they’re delicious, colorful and fun to eat!
Adora's Box
June 3 at 9:42 amSandra is a woman of so many talents. I love it when she visits my blog and leaves her kind comments. I love her cream puffs. Look at those. One of my absolute favourite desserts.
tanja
June 3 at 11:00 amLovely post, I am trully a fan of Sandra’s blog, her blog is amazing! These creampuffs look absolutely delicious!
Cheryl and Adam @ pictureperfectmeals.com
June 3 at 1:01 pmSandra is the best, no question about it! We love her blog, and her recipes, and that fact that she is simply a sweet and lovely person. Sweet and lovely, too, these cream puffs! Thanks for sharing Sandra with us all!
[email protected]
June 8 at 9:42 pmLove sandra and this recipe! I have been wanting to learn how to make cream puffs. Saving this for the perfect occassion. =)
[email protected]'s Kitchen
June 14 at 4:58 pmNot only is Sandra a Top Mom, she’s also a Top Blogger, Top Wife and Top Friend! You can tell she’s one of my absolute favorites and you’re right, she’s tireless, immensely kind and her recipes are to die for! I mean, look at these lovely cheese puffs ;-).
FoodMuster - Courtney
June 15 at 6:54 amWow! Those cream puffs look so yummy!!
Jamie @ Wokintime
June 21 at 5:42 pmCream puffs. I feel my pants getting tighter already! Totally worth it though!
Plantlust
December 3 at 2:40 pmI don’t add sugar to the cream puff dough. That way, you can fill the puffs with sweet OR saviry fillings. Excellent appetizers when filled w/egg, tuna or ham salad and delectable dessert when filled with fruit or custard and whipped cream.