Chocolate Covered Strawberry Filled Cream Puffs may look intimidating to make, but trust me, they're not! As long as you follow a few simple steps, you'll be noshing on one (maybe two) of these beauties in no time.
Light, airy, and filled with a luscious strawberry whipped cream. These easy to make strawberry cream puffs deserve their time in the spotlight for any and every occasion you serve them at!
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The ingredient list:
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- butter
- all-purpose flour
- salt
- eggs
- water
- vanilla instant pudding
- heavy whipping cream
- granulated sugar
- vanilla extract
- fresh strawberries, sliced
- semi-sweet chocolate chips
That's it. Easy peasy!
Kitchen tools and equipment needed:
- heavy-bottom saucepan
- wooden spoon
- baking sheet
- parchment paper or silpat liners
- cooling rack
- whisk
- paring knife
- cutting board
- serrated knife
- skewer (optional)
- measuring cups and spoons
- mixing bowls
- air-tight containers
Can the UNFILLED cream puff pastry shells be made ahead?
Yes! But there are a few simple rules you'll need to follow.
For Refrigerating:
- Allow the steam to escape (directions below) and cool the baked puffs completely on a wire rack.
- Gently cut the puffs in half using a serrated knife and carefully remove the strands of dough from the center of the puffs leaving the shell intact.
- Gently place the puffs together (top and bottom) and store the prepared puffs in an air-tight container for NO LONGER THAN 2 DAYS.
For Freezing:
- Allow the steam to escape (directions below) and cool the baked puffs completely on a wire rack.
- DO NOT cut the cream puffs in half before freezing.
- Gently place the unfilled puffs in an air-tight freezer container for up to 4 weeks.
- Thaw at room temperature.
- Cut the puffs in half with a serrated knife and continue on with the filling.
How to store FILLED cream puffs:
Store the filled cream puffs on a single layer in the refrigerator for no longer than 24 hours to prevent the puffs from getting soggy.
The step-by-step instructions:
- Add water and butter to a saucepan until the water simmer and the butter melts.
- Add all the flour and stir vigorously until the mixture comes together into a heavy dough.
- Allow the choux paste dough to cool slightly. Approximately 5 minutes.
- Add the eggs, one by one, stirring vigorously after each addition. A little elbow grease is required, or you can do this process with a hand mixer or stand mixer.
- After the addition of the final egg, the choux paste dough will be smooth and glossy.
- Drop approximately 2 tablespoons of the choux paste dough onto a parchment or Silpat lined baking sheets. Leaving space in between each eclair.
- Tap down any spiky points with a wet finger if needed.
- Bake the eclair shells in a preheated 400-degree oven for approximately 30 - 35 minutes.
- Remove the eclairs from the oven and immediately poke a steam hole in the side of each shell to let the steam out so they won't deflate as they cool.
- Allow the shells to cool completely before using a serrated knife to gently slice tops off each shell.
- Gently pull out any of the doughy interiors that may still remain on the inside of each shell to make room for the filling.
- Set the shells and tops aside while you prepare the filling.
- In a large bowl, whisk together heavy cream, vanilla pudding mix, and vanilla extract.
- Stir fresh, sliced strawberries into the pudding mix.
- Divide and spoon the pudding and strawberry mixture evenly among the shell bottoms, and gently place the tops of the shells onto each filled cream puff.
- To make the chocolate ganache, pour hot cream over chocolate chips and stir until melted and smooth.
- Spoon the chocolate ganache liberally over the cream filled pastry.
- Garnish the top of each chocolate-covered strawberry filled pastry with a slice of strawberry for garnish.
- Refrigerate until ready to serve.
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Printable Recipe Card
Chocolate Covered Strawberry Filled Cream Puffs
Ingredients
For the pastry shells:
- 1 cup water
- ½ cup butter, cubed
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 large eggs
For the strawberry filling:
- 2½ cups heavy cream
- 1 package (5.1 ounces) instant vanilla pudding
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups fresh, sliced strawberries
For the Chocolate Ganache:
- ⅓ cup heavy cream, hot, but not boiling
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
To make the pastry shells:
- Add water and butter to a saucepan until the water simmer and the butter melts.
- Add all the flour and stir vigorously until the mixture comes together into a heavy dough (choux paste).
- Allow the dough to cool slightly. Approximately 5 minutes.
- Add the eggs, one by one, stirring vigorously after each addition. A little elbow grease is required, or you can do this process with a hand mixer or stand mixer.
- After the addition of the final egg, the choux paste dough will be smooth and glossy.
- Drop approximately 2 tablespoons of the choux paste dough onto a parchment or Silpat lined baking sheets. Leaving space in between each eclair.
- Tap down any spiky points with a wet finger if needed.
- Bake the pastry shells in a preheated 400-degree oven for approximately 30 - 35 minutes.
- Remove the shells from the oven and immediately poke a steam hole in the side of each shell to let the steam out so they won't deflate as they cool.
- Allow the shells to cool completely before using a serrated knife to gently slice tops off each pastry.
- Gently pull out any of the doughy interiors that may still remain on the inside of each puff to make room for the filling.
- Set the puffs and tops aside while you prepare the filling.
To prepare the strawberry filling:
- In a large bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, pudding mix, sugar, and vanilla extract until the mixture thickens into a heavy whipped mixture.
- Gently fold the sliced strawberries into the whipped pudding mixture.
- Divide and spoon the pudding and strawberry mixture evenly among the shell bottoms, and gently place the tops of the shells onto each filled cream puff.
To make the chocolate ganache:
- Pour hot cream over chocolate chips and stir well until melted and smooth.
- Spoon the chocolate ganache liberally over the cream filled cream puffs.
- Garnish the top of each chocolate topped puff with a slice of strawberry for garnish.
- Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Notes
Nutrition
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Thank you so much for visiting me today in my Kudos Kitchen. I hope you found something you'll love and that you'll come back and visit me often. There is always room for you around my table!
Should you have any questions or comments regarding anything you've seen here on my blog, please don't hesitate to reach out to me. It is always my distinct pleasure to respond to you just as soon as I possibly can.
Until we eat again, I hope you have a delicious day!!
I sincerely hope that you've enjoyed today's cream puff dessert recipe for Chocolate Covered Strawberry Filled Cream Puffs as much as I've enjoyed bringing it to you!
Thank you so much for visiting me today in my Kudos Kitchen. I hope you found something you'll love and that you'll come back and visit me often. There is always room for you around my table!
Should you have any questions or comments regarding anything you've seen here on my blog, please don't hesitate to reach out to me. It is always my distinct pleasure to respond to you just as soon as I possibly can.
Nellie Tracy says
These are the BEST! I love eclairs normally, but the addition of the strawberries makes these even more amazing!
Renée says
Thanks so much, Nellie!
Strawberries are always a welcome addition to just about any dessert.
Take good care,
Renee
Lisalia says
So yummy and BEAUtifUl! Thanks for this delicious and easy recipe. They turned out perfect and my family loved them.
Linda says
You can't get much more deliciously decadent than these eclairs! I've made these with ice cream filling as well as just a powdered sugar topping but that chocolate, drool, is to die for!
Renée says
I like the idea of filling them with ice cream. I'm gonna have to try that!
Thanks, Linda!
Abigail Raines says
Nothing screams deliciousness than these chocolate covered eclairs! Love the fruity sweetness added by the fresh strawberries!
Renée says
Thanks, Abigail! I think so too!
Dorothy at Shockinglydelish says
Chocolate and strawberry are a match made in heaven!
Carolyn says
This is an awesome recipe! I've always wanted to try making these before!
Erin Vasicek says
I've never made my own eclairs! These look perfect.
Renée says
You really need to, Erin. They're super easy and so satisfying!
Megan @ MegUnprocessed says
These look SO delicious! I'm love anything with strawberries!
Renée says
I know the feeling, Megan. Thank you!
Sandra | A Dash of Sanity says
These are really perfect treat! A sure hit with my family!
Renée says
Thanks, Sandra. They're always a hit.
Abeer says
My favorite dessert! I love the idea of strawberry filling!
Renée says
Me too. Chocolate and strawberries are a natural together! Thanks.
betsycohen says
I want to dive right into this computer to grab a few of these beauties!
Renée says
I wish it worked that way, too, Betsy 🙂
Amy @ Little Dairy on the Prairie says
These look amazing! I have to try them this weekend I think!
Renée says
You'll love them! Thanks so much!
Erin Dee says
These chocolate covered strawberry filled eclairs look so epic! Totally swooning over these beauties!
Renée says
Thank you so much, Erin!
Dorothy Reinhold says
Just when I thought chocolate covered strawberries can't be beat. These eclairs look amazing!
Renée says
Thanks, Dorothy! Chocolate covered strawberries just got an upgrade 😉
Renée says
Right? Chocolate covered strawberries just got an upgrade. LOL
Meagen Brosiua says
I love that these not only look amazing but they taste amazing too! Perfect for parties and events, a big hit the first time we tried them so I'm sure we'll be making them again!
Renée says
So good to know. Thanks!!
Sabrina says
Love how you broke down the whole process. These look ah-mazing!!
Renée says
Thank you, Sabrina. I'm glad you find it helpful!
Amanda says
These are so delicious! Your pictures make this so easy to follow, amazing job!
Renée says
Thank you so much, Amanda!
Shiho says
You make it look easy to make. Thank you for the step by step instruction 😀
Renée says
I'm a visual learner so I always appreciate photos. Glad you think they're helpful. Thanks.
Terri C says
I really enjoy the fresh fruits and everything you can make with them. Peach and cherry pie are favorites.
Renée says
That's nice. I like those too.