Who knew you could enjoy cabbage for dessert? Okay, so we’re kind of going to extremes here, because the only thing pâte à choux pastry dough has in common with the veggie is that it was named after it. For the unfamiliar, this amazingly versatile stuff is the base of a whole bunch of different bakery treats, from eclairs to profiteroles to cream puffs and gougères. Bolstered by these 14 choux pastry recipes, you’ll be whipping up batch after batch of sweet and savory goodies in no time at all.
1. Homemade Beignets: Using choux pastry in place of yeasted dough means you’ll be enjoying a powdered sugar-dusted stack of these fresh-from-the-fryer beignets in mere minutes. (via Baker Bettie)
2. Mini Paris Brest: Wanna dig into crisp pastry rings filled with a totally luxe praline cream? They’re personal-sized, so no pressure to share. (via Supergolden Bakes)
3. Orange and Basil Infused Caramelia Eclair: Your standard eclair shell gets an extra dose of crispiness and flavor from a crumbly almond crust. Oh yeah, and those are truffles on top. #swoon (via The Moonblush Baker)
4. Cardamom Puffs With White Chocolate Whipped Cream and Berries: Lemony cardamom is a terrific pairing for blueberries and whipped white chocolate ganache inside of sugar-sprinkled pastry shells. (via Carrot or Cake)
5. Parisian Gnocchi: Time to give potatoes and ricotta a rest, and use pâte à choux to make gnocchi like a Parisian instead. (via Serious Eats)
6. Apple and Cinnamon Beignets: These bite-sized beignets are perfect for fall; enjoy them dipped in homemade butterscotch for a treat that calls to mind a caramel apple. (via Sugar et al)
7. Chocolate Profiteroles: Chocoholics will love these little puffs! (via My Kitchen Affair)
8. Nutella Cream Puffs: There is a ton of Nutella action going on in each and every one of these profiteroles. Fluffy Nutella whipped cream is stuffed inside, while melted Nutella and chopped hazelnuts crown the top. (via A Little Claireification)
9. Reuben Sandwiches on Rye Gougères: Basically, this is what happens when a classic Jewish deli studies abroad in France. (via Feast)
10. Mini Churros (Gluten-free): Now you can enjoy churros outside of the carnival. It takes no time at all to whip up a batch of these cinnamon and sugar-dusted strips of fried dough served with chili chocolate sauce. (via Wholesome Cook)
11. Chocolate Eclairs: You’ll want to have this simplified classic in your pastry recipe toolkit. (via Flour and Aprons)
12. Pumpkin Custard Profiteroles (Gluten-free): Finished with a maple caramel drizzle and maple-sugared walnuts, these are a terrific bite-sized alternative to pumpkin pie. (via A Sage Amalgam)
13. Cheddar Dill Gougères: Packed with cheddar, it’s hard to stop eating these light-as-air savory puffs. (via Cherry Tea Cakes)
14. Pistachio + Chocolate Profiteroles: Between the fluffy pistachio pastry cream filling and dark-chocolate ganache spooned over top, consider yourself satisfied. (via Butterlust)
Have you ever made anything with choux pastry at home? Let’s talk about our favorite treats made with this dough in the comments!