I’ve perfected these indulgent chocolate cream puffs after countless iterations in my kitchen, drawing inspiration from classic Italian and French pastry traditions. These aren’t your ordinary chocolate desserts – they’re a sophisticated fusion of rich chocolate cake, smooth chocolate filling, and an airy coffee-mascarpone cream that creates an unforgettable taste experience.
The Story Behind These Chocolate Cream Puffs
This recipe represents the perfect marriage between a chocolate cupcake and a traditional cream puff, elevated with the addition of Italian mascarpone and a hint of coffee. The combination might sound complex, but I’ve broken it down into manageable steps that ensure success every time. The secret lies in the perfect balance between the moist chocolate base, the creamy center, and the light, coffee-infused topping.
Ingredients
For the Chocolate Base:
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- Pinch of salt
- 8g (2 teaspoons) vanilla sugar
- 170g (¾ cup + 2 tablespoons) granulated sugar
- 200ml (¾ cup + 2 tablespoons) vegetable oil
- 200ml (¾ cup + 2 tablespoons) whole milk
- 280g (2¼ cups) all-purpose flour
- 30g (⅓ cup) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 15g (1 tablespoon) baking powder
For the Chocolate Center:
- 125g (4.4 oz) chocolate pudding (danette chocolate)
- 2 tablespoons chocolate spread
For the Coffee Mascarpone Cream:
- 500ml (2 cups) heavy whipping cream, cold
- 125g (4.4 oz) mascarpone cheese, room temperature
- Coffee extract to taste
For Assembly:
- Strong brewed coffee, cooled
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preparing the Chocolate Base
- Begin by preheating your oven to 180°C (350°F). Line a standard 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners. Position the rack in the center of the oven for even baking.
- In a large mixing bowl, crack the eggs and add the pinch of salt. Beat until the mixture becomes slightly foamy. This initial step helps create a tender crumb in the final product.
- Gradually add both the vanilla sugar and granulated sugar while continuing to beat. Mix until the mixture becomes pale and slightly thickened, about 2-3 minutes.
- While mixing at medium speed, slowly stream in the vegetable oil. This gradual addition ensures proper emulsion and prevents the batter from separating.
- Pour in the milk and mix until fully incorporated. The mixture should look smooth and well combined.
- In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, and baking powder. This removes any lumps and aerates the dry ingredients.
- Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture using a spatula. Mix just until combined – overworking the batter will result in tough cupcakes.
- Fill each muffin cup about ¾ full with batter. I use an ice cream scoop for consistent portions.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean with a few moist crumbs.
- Allow to cool in the tin for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Creating the Fillings and Assembly
- While the cupcakes cool, prepare the chocolate center by mixing the chocolate pudding with chocolate spread until completely smooth.
- For the coffee mascarpone cream, whip the cold heavy cream until soft peaks form.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the mascarpone until smooth, then add coffee extract to taste.
- Gently fold the whipped cream into the mascarpone mixture until well combined.
- Once the cupcakes are completely cool, cut each one horizontally through the middle.
- Brush both cut sides lightly with cooled strong coffee. This adds moisture and intensifies the chocolate flavor.
- Transfer the coffee mascarpone cream to a piping bag fitted with a large round tip.
- Pipe a ring of cream around the edge of each bottom half, creating a well in the center.
- Fill the center with the chocolate mixture.
- Place the top half of each cupcake on the filling and dust generously with powdered sugar.
Storage and Serving
Store these chocolate cream puffs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. I recommend bringing them to room temperature for about 15 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to fully develop.
Nutrition Information
Per serving (1 cream puff):
- Calories: 425
- Total Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
- Sodium: 165mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 42g
- Dietary Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 25g
- Protein: 7g
Serves: 12
These chocolate cream puffs are perfect for special occasions, dinner parties, or whenever you want to impress your guests with a sophisticated dessert that combines the best of Italian and French pastry traditions.
