This Fluff Cream Puff Cake is a decadent and easy-to-make dessert that brings the beloved flavors of classic cream puffs into a delightful cake form. With a light and airy puff pastry crust, a creamy pudding and cream cheese filling, and a generous topping of whipped cream, this cake is a perfect dessert for any occasion. A drizzle of chocolate syrup adds the finishing touch to this irresistible treat.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easier Than Traditional Cream Puffs – No piping required, just spread and bake!
- Light and Creamy – A fluffy pastry crust with a smooth, rich filling.
- Perfect for Gatherings – Serves 12, making it great for parties and family events.
- Customizable – Use different pudding flavors or toppings for a unique twist.
- Make-Ahead Friendly – Best when chilled, making it ideal for prepping in advance.
Ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
- 1 stick margarine (½ cup)
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup flour
- 4 eggs
- 1 box instant vanilla or white chocolate pudding (large box)
- 3 cups milk
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 8 oz whipped cream (store-bought or homemade)
- Chocolate syrup (for drizzling)
Directions
- Prepare the Baking Dish – Grease a 9×13-inch ceramic or glass baking dish with cooking spray. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Make the Crust – In a medium saucepan, bring margarine and water to a boil. Add flour and mix well until fully combined. Remove from heat and add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition.
- Bake the Crust – Spread the dough evenly into the greased baking dish. Bake for 30 minutes until puffed up and golden brown. Let cool completely.
- Prepare the Filling – In a large bowl, beat the pudding mix, milk, and softened cream cheese until smooth and lump-free.
- Assemble the Cake – Pour the pudding mixture over the cooled crust and spread evenly. Top with whipped cream.
- Chill – Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the flavors to set.
- Garnish and Serve – Drizzle with chocolate syrup before serving. Optionally, top with chocolate ganache or mini chocolate chips for extra decadence.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 12
- Preparation Time: 15 minutes
- Baking Time: 30 minutes
- Chilling Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Variations
- Chocolate Cream Puff Cake – Use chocolate pudding instead of vanilla for a richer taste.
- Strawberry Version – Add fresh strawberry slices between the layers and drizzle with strawberry sauce.
- Nutty Delight – Sprinkle chopped toasted almonds or hazelnuts on top for added crunch.
- Caramel Drizzle – Replace chocolate syrup with caramel sauce for a sweet twist.
- Gluten-Free Option – Use gluten-free flour for the crust.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage – Keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezing – Not recommended, as the texture of the pudding and whipped cream may change after thawing.
FAQs
Can I use butter instead of margarine?
Yes, you can substitute butter for margarine for a richer flavor.
Can I use homemade pudding instead of instant?
Yes, but allow it to cool completely before mixing with cream cheese.
How do I prevent my crust from deflating?
Avoid opening the oven door while baking, and allow it to cool gradually.
Can I make this cake ahead of time?
Yes! It tastes even better when chilled overnight.
What type of whipped cream should I use?
You can use store-bought whipped topping or homemade whipped cream for a fresher taste.
Can I add fresh fruit to this cake?
Absolutely! Strawberries, raspberries, or bananas make excellent additions.
How do I make the topping more decorative?
Try piping the whipped cream in swirls or adding chocolate shavings.
Can I serve this warm?
It’s best served chilled to maintain its creamy texture.
What’s the best way to cut this cake?
Use a sharp knife and wipe it clean between slices for neat servings.
Can I use a different baking dish size?
A 9×13 dish works best, but you can use a smaller dish for a thicker cake.
Conclusion
This Fluff Cream Puff Cake is a dreamy, creamy dessert that brings together the best of cream puffs in an easy-to-make cake form. With its light pastry crust, luscious filling, and irresistible chocolate drizzle, this dessert is sure to be a hit at any gathering. Try it today and enjoy a slice of pure indulgence!
Fluff Cream Puff Cake Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert, Pastry
- Method: Baking, Stovetop
- Cuisine: French
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Light and airy choux pastry filled with silky vanilla custard and dusted with powdered sugar. A classic French-inspired treat, perfect for Mother’s Day!
Ingredients
For the Choux Pastry:
- 1/2 cup (120ml) water
- 1/2 cup (120ml) whole milk
- 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour
- 4 large eggs
For the Vanilla Custard Filling:
- 2 cups (480ml) whole milk
- 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 4 egg yolks
- 3 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
For Garnish:
- Powdered sugar
- Melted chocolate (optional)
Instructions
-
Make the Choux Pastry:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a saucepan, heat water, milk, butter, sugar, and salt until it begins to simmer.
- Add flour all at once, stirring vigorously until the dough forms a smooth ball and pulls away from the sides of the pan.
- Remove from heat and let it cool slightly for a few minutes.
-
Add the Eggs:
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition until smooth and glossy.
- Transfer the dough to a piping bag and pipe small mounds onto the prepared baking sheet.
-
Bake the Puffs:
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown and puffed.
- Remove from the oven and let them cool completely.
-
Make the Vanilla Custard:
- Heat milk in a saucepan over medium heat until warm (but not boiling).
- In a separate bowl, whisk together sugar, egg yolks, and cornstarch until smooth.
- Slowly add the warm milk to the egg mixture, whisking constantly.
- Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring continuously until thickened.
- Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract and butter. Let cool completely in the fridge.
-
Fill the Cream Puffs:
- Slice the cooled puffs in half and pipe the vanilla custard inside.
-
Garnish & Serve:
- Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with melted chocolate for an extra indulgence.
Notes
- Make sure to let the choux pastry cool completely before filling to prevent the custard from melting.
- You can make the custard in advance and store it in the fridge for up to 2 days.
- If you want extra crispiness, reheat the cream puffs in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5 minutes before filling.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- chill time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American, French-Inspired
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Fluffy Cream Puff Cake is an easy, decadent dessert that transforms the classic cream puff into a crowd-pleasing cake! With a light and airy pastry crust, a creamy vanilla pudding and whipped cream filling, and a drizzle of chocolate syrup, this no-fuss recipe is perfect for any occasion!
Ingredients
For the Crust:
- 1 stick margarine (or unsalted butter)
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 eggs
For the Creamy Filling:
- 1 box (5.1 oz) instant vanilla or white chocolate pudding
- 3 cups milk
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 8 oz whipped cream (or Cool Whip)
For Topping:
- Chocolate syrup, for drizzling
- (Optional) Chocolate ganache or mini chocolate chips
Instructions
1. Prepare the Pastry Crust:
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Grease a 9×13-inch ceramic or glass baking dish with cooking spray.
- In a medium saucepan, bring margarine and water to a boil.
- Reduce heat, add flour, and stir continuously until the dough forms a smooth ball.
- Remove from heat and add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- Spread the dough evenly into the prepared baking dish.
- Bake for 30 minutes until the crust puffs up and turns golden brown. Let cool.
2. Make the Creamy Filling:
- In a large bowl, beat together pudding mix, milk, and softened cream cheese until smooth and lump-free.
- Pour the mixture evenly over the cooled crust.
- Spread whipped cream on top.
3. Chill & Serve:
- Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.
- Drizzle with chocolate syrup before serving.
- (Optional) Add chocolate ganache or mini chocolate chips for extra indulgence!
Notes
- Make-Ahead Friendly: This dessert tastes even better after chilling overnight.
- Chocolate Variation: Swap vanilla pudding for chocolate pudding for a richer flavor.
- Storage: Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container.
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