How to Make Choux Pastry (Pâte à Choux)

Choux pastry, or pâte à choux, makes everything from cream puffs, profiteroles, and éclairs to Parisian gnocchi, churros, and beignets. It's easy to make, as long as you understand the process.

Cream Puffs

Light and crisp cream puffs, filled with your choice of rich pastry cream, whipped cream, or crème légère, will satisfy dessert lovers everywhere.

Choux au Craquelin

Choux au craquelin—dressed-up pâte à choux filled with pastry cream—are a delicious sweet treat.

Profiteroles

Light, crisp choux “sandwiches” stuffed with creamy vanilla ice cream and drizzled with a warm chocolate sauce.

Gougères (Choux Pastry Cheese Puffs)

Gougères are cheesy puffs made from French choux pastry. The choux base is quick and easy to whip up, and the gougères bake up golden and crisp.

Paris–Brest (Pâte à Choux With Praline Crème Mousseline)

Almond-studded choux pastry and rich, nutty praline crème mousseline join forces in this impressive French dessert.

Ginger-Lemongrass Choux Pastry

Designed as a replacement for the classic biscuit in strawberry shortcake, these choux puffs are light and airy, and infused with the flavor of ginger and lemongrass. They're also topped with a crackly, crunchy layer of cornflake craquelin. While they're delicious in strawberry shortcake, they're also great served with whipped cream, ice cream, or pastry cream.

Profiteroles

There are few things in life as delightful as biting into homemade profiteroles! Crispy, light pastry balls filled with custard or cream, drizzled with chocolate.

Croquembouche

A towering masterpiece of caramel-covered cream puffs surrounded by golden threads of spun sugar, the croquembouche is the celebration cake of France.

Classic Éclairs

Crisp choux pastry, a rich vanilla bean–infused pastry cream, and an intense chocolate glaze.