Cream Puffs

Flour, butter, eggs: three everyday store-cupboard ingredients which, with a little elbow grease, can be transformed into irresistible and endlessly versatile cream puffs and Hannah Miles is here to show you how. From the beloved chocolate clair to the impressive gteau St. Honor, this light-as-air buttery pastry offers so many options. Start with the Classics and enjoy coffee religieuse and mini coconut clairs. Fruity creations include passion fruit clairs, peaches and cream choux rings, and strudel cream puffs, filled with a spiced apple pure. Cream puffs make the perfect treat to sit prettily on a cake stand at a Fancy afternoon tea: try violet clairs or heart cream puffs, bursting with a fluffy marshmallow filling. Finally, the Dessert section includes a range of recipes from the simple after-dinner profiteroles, filled with mint ice cream and topped with dark chocolate, to the more elaborate croquembouche ideal for any extra-special celebration. With beautiful, specially commissioned photography by Kate Whitaker.