Profiterole facts for kids
A plate of cream puffs
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| Alternative names |
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|---|---|
| Place of origin | Europe |
| Region or state | France and Italy |
| Main ingredients | Choux pastry Filling: whipped cream, custard, or ice cream |
| Other information | Water based, milk based |
A profiterole is a yummy, light pastry. It's also known as a cream puff in the United States. This sweet treat is a small, round ball made from a special dough called choux pastry. It's usually filled with something delicious like whipped cream, custard, or ice cream. You might see them plain, or topped with chocolate sauce, caramel, or powdered sugar. Sometimes, people even make savory (not sweet) profiteroles with meat or cheese fillings!
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How Profiteroles Are Made
To make profiteroles, special choux pastry dough is used. This dough is carefully squeezed through a pastry bag or dropped with spoons. It forms small balls that are then baked. As they bake, they puff up and become mostly hollow inside.
After the profiteroles cool down, they are ready for their filling. Bakers use a pastry bag with a thin tip to inject the filling into the puffs. Another way is to carefully slice off the top, add the filling, and then put the top back on. For sweet profiteroles, extra glazes or fun decorations can be added.
Ways to Serve Profiteroles
Profiteroles are most often served with pastry cream, whipped cream, or ice cream inside. They are usually topped with powdered sugar or a rich chocolate ganache. Sometimes, they come with even more whipped cream! You can also find them plain, or with a crispy caramel glaze. Some are even covered in icing or served with fresh fruit.
In France and Italy, profiteroles are often stacked high. They form a tower called a croquembouche. These towers are popular at weddings and during Christmas in France. They are also served at important celebrations in Gibraltar. Profiteroles can also be used to form the outer edge of a special dessert called St. Honoré Cake.
The History of Profiteroles
The main ingredient for profiteroles is choux pastry. It is believed that this pastry was invented by the head chef for Catherine de' Medici. She moved from her home city of Florence to France to marry Henry II of France.
Over the years, the original recipe changed as pastry making became more advanced. Around the 17th century, a pastry cook named Avice improved the dough. He created the choux buns we know today. In the 19th century, a famous chef named Antoine Carême perfected the recipe even further. The choux pastry recipe used today is very similar to the one he created!
Profiteroles Today
Cream puffs have been a popular dessert in U.S. restaurants since at least 1851. The Wisconsin State Fair is especially famous for its giant cream puffs, which are a huge hit!
Images for kids
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A plate of cream puffs
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Chou with chocolate ganache
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A German cream puff
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A Czech version
no:Vannbakkels pl:Ptyś
