Chouquette with a Twist

Ingredients

• 1 cup (240ml) water 1 cup (240ml) water
• 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter
• 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour
• 4 large eggs 4 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Zest of 1 orange Zest of 1 orange
• Pearl sugar, for sprinkling Pearl sugar, for sprinkling

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 150 kcal / 628 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 9g, 5g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 15g, 5g
• Protein: 3g
• Fiber: 1g
• Salt: 0.2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. 2.
   In a saucepan, bring the water, butter, and salt to a boil over medium heat.
3. 3.
   Reduce the heat to low and add the flour all at once. Stir vigorously until the mixture forms a smooth ball and pulls away from the sides of the pan.
4. 4.
   Remove the pan from heat and let it cool for a few minutes.
5. 5.
   In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, vanilla extract, and orange zest.
6. 6.
   Gradually add the egg mixture to the dough, beating well after each addition, until the dough becomes smooth and glossy.
7. 7.
   Transfer the dough to a piping bag fitted with a plain round tip.
8. 8.
   Pipe small mounds onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each puff.
9. 9.
   Sprinkle pearl sugar generously over the puffs.
10. 10.
    Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the Chouquettes are golden brown and puffed.
11. 11.
    Remove from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack before serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Vanilla extract — Use pure vanilla extract for the best flavor.
• Orange zest — Make sure to use organic oranges and wash them thoroughly before zesting to avoid any pesticides or wax.

Tips & Tricks

• To achieve perfectly puffed Chouquettes, make sure not to open the oven door during baking as it may cause them to deflate.
• For an extra touch of sweetness, you can drizzle the Chouquettes with melted chocolate or dust them with powdered sugar before serving.
• If you don't have pearl sugar, you can substitute it with coarse sugar crystals for a similar texture.

Serving advice

Chouquettes are best enjoyed fresh out of the oven when they are still warm. Serve them as a delightful breakfast pastry, a sweet snack with tea or coffee, or as a charming addition to a dessert platter.

Presentation advice

Arrange the Chouquettes on a beautiful serving platter or a rustic wooden board. Their golden-brown color and pearl sugar topping will make them visually appealing. Consider adding a sprig of fresh mint or a dusting of powdered sugar for an elegant touch.