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Jack-o’-Lantern Cream Puffs

An easy and fun dessert for Halloween that can be filled with various flavors and decorated creatively. Perfect for impressing guests at your fall parties!
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 12 pieces
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American, Seasonal
Calories: 150
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Pate a Choux Dough
  • 1 cup water
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter Do not skimp on the butter
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour Add all at once
  • 4 large eggs Beat in one at a time
For the Filling
  • 2 cups whipped cream Classic filling option
  • 1 cup vanilla pastry cream Another filling option
  • 1 cup pumpkin spice cream Seasonal option
  • 1/2 cup chocolate mousse Optional filling
  • few drops orange food coloring For custard tinting
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup Optional flavor addition
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon Optional flavor addition
For Decoration
  • 1 batch orange glaze Icing with food coloring
  • 1 batch chocolate or black royal icing For piping faces
  • 1 green icing Optional for stems

Method
 

Preparation of Dough
  1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
  2. In a saucepan, heat water and butter until boiling.
  3. Add flour all at once, stirring vigorously until the dough pulls away from the sides.
  4. Remove from heat and let it cool for a minute.
  5. Beat in eggs one at a time, combining thoroughly each time until the dough is smooth and sticky.
Shaping and Baking
  1. Scoop out the dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, forming squat circles.
  2. Bake for 25-30 minutes without opening the oven door until golden and puffed.
Filling and Decorating
  1. Once cooled, carefully fill the puffs with your chosen filling.
  2. Dip in orange glaze or pipe with royal icing to create jack-o’-lantern faces.
  3. Use a toothpick for details if needed.

Notes

For variety, try different fillings or add candies inside for surprises. Let the glaze set before storing, and refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container.