How To Make Choux Pastry

These little puff pastries are really delicious, and not too hard to make, once you get the hang of it. They are really glamorous and can easily dress up a little party. People will want to know how you have made these beautiful little pastries. They don't take much time and can be used for just about anything. I hope you enjoy these little Choux Pastries.

1. Step 1: Warm Up The Ingredients

   Take your pot and place it over a medium low heat. Slowly add in the water, milk, butter and salt. Keep an eye on this, because you don't really want it to scorch on the bottom. While your liquid ingredients are warming, this would be the time to turn on your oven to 400 degrees and preheat. Also, spray your cookie sheet with non-stick spray. This will save you from having your pastries stick.

2. Step 2: Add The Flour

   Once your liquid comes to a gentle boil, add all of your flour in at once. Take your wooden spoon and vigorously stir the flour into the liquid. Once the mixture starts pulling away from the pot sides, you are nearly done. Let this continue to cook, while you stir for another minute or so. You want to get rid of almost all of the excess liquid, because you still have another ingredient to go.

3. Step 3: Let Cool and Add Your Eggs

   Once you have cooked your dough to the recommendations above, remove from heat, and allow to cool for at least five minutes, stirring every minute or so. The reason you allow this to cool before adding eggs is so you don't end up with scrambled eggs in your dough! Once cooled, add in one egg at a time, beating very well in between. Continue to beat until your dough is shiny and smooth.

4. Step 4: Pipe Your Dough

   Okay, now that your dough has cooled and had eggs put into the mixture, take your plastic food storage bag and pour the dough into the bag. Squeeze it gently down to one bottom corner of the bag and take your scissors and snip the corner away. You don't want to take too big of a corner, because you can always make it bigger. Get your pan near to you and gently pipe your dough onto the pan.

5. Step 5: Space Out Your Dough

   While you are piping your dough, keep this in mind. Space them a good inch to two inches apart. This will allow space to cook properly and for them to expand. I like piping mine with an ice cream cone effect, so when they bake up, they have a pretty swirl to them. I usually make these about an inch around.

6. Step 6: Bake The Choux Pastry

   Okay, now that you have them piped nicely on your pan, pop them in your 400 degree oven for 15 minutes. Then, lower the heat to 350 and bake for at least another 15 minutes, or until they are golden brown and firm. Take them out of the oven, and allow them to cool before filling them with your favorite filling.

7. And now you can serve and enjoy - whether a little treat for yourself, or the perfect nibble for a party - Choux Pastry is easy, impressive and tasty!