Earl Grey cream puffs are easy to whip and offer a unique twist to a classic dessert. They combine the delicate flavor of Earl Grey tea with a crispy streusel topping for a perfect balance of texture and taste.
Heat Cream: Pour heavy cream into a pot over medium-high heat until bubbles form at the edges.
2 cups heavy cream
Infuse Tea: Steep tea bags or leaves in the hot cream for 15-20 minutes, then strain.
8 g Earl Grey tea
Chill Cream: Let the infused cream cool at room temperature for up to an hour, then refrigerate for at least 6 hours, ideally overnight.
Streusel:
Soften Butter: Cut the butter into cubes and let it soften at room temperature for about an hour.
2 oz unsalted butter
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine sugar and flour.
2 oz light brown sugar, 2 oz all-purpose flour
Add Butter: Incorporate the softened butter using a fork or mixer until evenly mixed.
Add Food Dye: If using, add the food dye and stir it until well incorporated.
Food dye
Roll Out Dough: Between parchment papers, roll dough to a thickness of 2-3mm. Peel and replace paper as needed for easier rolling.
Refrigerate: Refrigerate the rolled dough (still between sheets) for about 30 minutes, ideally on a cutting board that will retain temperature for longer.
Cut Shapes: Cut the dough into 1.5 to 2-inch disks quickly before it softens, remove the excess, and return the disks to the fridge.
Choux Pastry:
Preheat Oven: Heat oven to 390°F (200°C).
Boil Butter Mixture: In a pot, mix butter, milk, water, salt, and sugar. Bring to a boil, ensuring the butter melts completely.
¼ cup water, ¼ cup milk, 3 tbsp unsalted butter, ¼ tsp salt, 1¼ tsp sugar
Add Flour: Off the heat, add flour and cocoa powder (mixed) all at once and stir. Return to low heat, stirring continuously for 2-3 minutes until the dough is thick, glossy, and leaves a thin film on the pot bottom.
2½ oz all-purpose flour
Cool Dough: Transfer dough to a bowl and let it cool for 10 minutes, spreading it out to cool faster.
Whisk Eggs: Beat eggs in a separate bowl.
2 large eggs
Mix Dough: With the dough slightly cooled, mix with a hand mixer. Gradually add half the eggs, mix, then add the remaining eggs bit by bit until the dough forms a 'V' shape when lifted with a whisk or spatula.
Bake:
Prepare Tray: Line a baking tray with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
Pipe Dough: Fill a piping bag and pipe dough onto the tray in 2-inch mounds, leaving 1¼ inches space between each.
Add Streusel: Place refrigerated streusel discs on each dough mound.
Bake: Place the baking tray in the oven, immediately reduce the temperature to 356°F (180°C), and bake for 40 minutes until slightly browned. Open the oven door slightly for the last 5 minutes of baking.
Whip Cream:
Bloom Gelatin: Whisk gelatin with water and let sit for 10 minutes.
2 teaspoons gelatin, 2 tablespoons water
Melt Gelatin: Microwave bloomed gelatin in short bursts or use a hot water bath to melt it. Mix in 2 tablespoons of cold infused cream to temper. If it becomes lumpy, warm up gently until everything is liquid.
Whip Cream: Add powdered sugar and vanilla to the rest of the infused cream and whip to soft peaks.
2/3 cup powdered sugar, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Combine with Gelatin: Mix the gelatin solution into the whipped cream until stiff peaks form. A mousse-like consistency is also good enoguh for piping the puffs.
Assembly:
Pipe Cream: Fill a piping bag or syringe with whipped cream and pipe into the puffs. Choose to pipe from the bottom, side, or top. The cream will thicken in the fridge, preventing leakage.
Serve or Chill: Serve the cream puffs immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.