Basic Cream Puffs

Directions

1. 1
   Bring the butter to room temperature.
2. 2
   Beat the eggs.
3. 3
   Sift the flour twice and set aside.
4. 4
   Preheat oven to 230C.
5. 5
   Heat the water, butter and salt together over high heat.
6. 6
   Stir lightly so it doesn't burn.
7. 7
   When it starts to boil, yellow foam will appear.
8. 8
   Boil hard until you see fine, white foam.
9. 9
   When it reaches this point, remove from heat and add the sifted flour, all at once.
10. 10
    Beat well, scraping from the bottom of the pot until it forms a solid mass, as shown in the photo.
11. 11
    Return to heat, and cook again on medium, stirring and rolling for about 30~60 seconds, until it forms a ball.
12. 12
    Remove from heat and add the beaten eggs, a little at a time, while the mixture is still hot.
13. 13
    At first, it will be sticky and won't blend well.
14. 14
    Add more egg when it becomes smooth.
15. 15
    This is what it looks like while it's still hard.
16. 16
    It will gradually become smooth and shiny.
17. 17
    Scoop some up and when it forms a triangle when dropped from a spoon, stop adding egg.
18. 18
    Put the dough in a pastry bag while still warm.
19. 19
    pipe into balls about 4 cm in diameter.
20. 20
    This time I used a star shaped tip.
21. 21
    1 cm diameter balls, made with a round tip are also cute.
22. 22
    They will puff up, so leave about 3~4cm between each ball.
23. 23
    Bake at 230C for 10 minutes180C for 10 minutes 150C for 10 minutes.
24. 24
    Don't open the oven while they're baking, or they'll collapse!
25. 25
    Fill with cream when cool, and they're done!
26. 26
    For the ones that puff sideways instead of up...
27. 27
    Cut them in half horizontally and fill with cream!
28. 28
    Put the tops on and they'll be fine.
29. 29
    Filled with cream from the bottom.