Save Pin Charming, light choux pastry swans filled with vanilla cream and dusted with powdered sugar—perfect for an elegant dessert or tea-time treat.
This recipe has become a family favorite at special occasions, impressing guests with its delicate flavors and whimsical presentation.
Ingredients
- Choux Pastry: 125 ml water, 40 g unsalted butter, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp sugar, 75 g all-purpose flour, 2 large eggs
- Vanilla Cream Filling: 200 ml heavy cream, 1 tbsp powdered sugar, 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- Decoration: Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Step 1:
- Preheat oven to 200°C (390°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Step 2:
- In a saucepan, combine water, butter, salt, and sugar. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat and stir in flour all at once. Return to medium heat, stirring until dough forms a ball and pulls away from the sides (about 2 minutes).
- Step 3:
- Let dough cool slightly. Beat in eggs one at a time until smooth and glossy.
- Step 4:
- Transfer dough to a piping bag fitted with a medium round tip. Pipe 12 oval shapes (bodies) onto the prepared tray. With a small round tip, pipe 12 S-shaped necks on the same tray.
- Step 5:
- Bake bodies for 25 30 minutes and necks for 10 12 minutes until golden and crisp. Cool completely.
- Step 6:
- For the filling, whip cream with powdered sugar and vanilla until stiff peaks form.
- Step 7:
- Slice the top third off each choux body. Cut the tops in half lengthwise to create wings.
- Step 8:
- Pipe or spoon cream into the bottom halves. Insert two wings on each side and an S-shaped neck at the front. Dust lightly with powdered sugar.
Save Pin Gathering around the table with these pastries has become a cherished family tradition, sparking joy and sweet memories.
Required Tools
Saucepan, mixing bowls, electric mixer or whisk, piping bags with round tips, baking sheet, parchment paper, sharp knife
Allergen Information
Contains eggs, milk, wheat (gluten). Double-check ingredients if preparing for those with food allergies.
Nutritional Information
Calories: 120, Total Fat: 8 g, Carbohydrates: 9 g, Protein: 2 g per serving
Save Pin Enjoy these elegant swan pastries as a delightful end to any meal or an impressive treat for your guests.
Recipe FAQs
- → What is choux pastry?
Choux pastry is a light dough made by cooking flour with water, butter, and eggs, creating a puffed, hollow shell when baked, perfect for filled pastries.
- → How do I shape the swan forms?
Pipe oval shapes for the bodies and S-shaped necks onto parchment before baking. After cooling, slice tops to create wings and assemble with cream.
- → What gives the cream its vanilla flavor?
Vanilla extract is gently folded into whipped heavy cream along with powdered sugar to create a smooth, flavorful filling.
- → Can I prepare these in advance?
Best served fresh to maintain crispness, but you can bake shells a day ahead and fill just before serving.
- → How do I prevent the pastry from collapsing?
Bake at a consistent high temperature until golden brown; avoid opening the oven door during baking to keep structure firm.