Double chocolate profiteroles with salted caramel cream
Featherlight choux pastry is stuffed with salted caramel and drizzled with a double dose of chocolate in this deliciously indulgent dessert
- Prep:45 mins
Cook:35 mins
- Serves 6
- A challenge
Nutrition per serving
- kcal 479
- fat 37g
- saturates 22g
- carbs 28g
- sugars 19g
- fibre 1g
- protein 8g
- salt 0.7g
Ingredients
- 75g plain flour
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder
- 85g slightly salted butter, chopped into small pieces
- 3 medium eggs, beaten
- ½ x 397g can caramel (we used Carnation)
- ½ -1 tsp sea salt flakes
- 300ml pot double or whipping cream
- 100g white chocolate, finely chopped
- 50g dark chocolate, finely chopped
- chocolate sprinkles or edible glitter (optional)
Tip
Get aheadYou can make the choux buns a day or two in advance, refresh them in the oven and fill with cream on the day. Prepare up to the end of step 3, then store in a sealed container for up to 2 days. Refresh in the oven at 180C/160C fan/ gas 4 for 5 mins, then cool and continue recipe.
Method
Sieve the flour and cocoa into a bowl. Put the butter in a saucepan and add 225ml water. Bring to a fast boil, then simmer until the butter has melted. Tip in the flour mixture and quickly beat with a wooden spoon until the mixture comes together to a smooth, shiny dough, and pulls away from the sides of the pan. Tip the dough into a bowl and spread it up the sides with your spoon to help it to cool down quickly (but don’t let it cool completely – it’s easier to incorporate the eggs while it’s still warm). Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/ gas 6 and line 2 baking sheets with baking parchment.
While the dough is still warm, add the eggs a little at a time, beating well with a wooden spoon between each addition. You’re looking for a smooth consistency, that reluctantly falls off the spoon in a V shape (you may not need to use all the egg). If the mixture becomes too runny, you won’t be able to pipe it; if it’s too thick, it won’t puff up in the oven. When you’re happy with the consistency, spoon it into a disposable piping bag.
Snip off the end of the piping bag to give you a 1cm opening. Holding the bag at a 90-degree angle to the baking tray, pipe balls of the dough, about the size of a walnut, over the 2 sheets – you should make 18-20 in total. Dip your finger in a little water and gently pat down any peaks on the top of the balls of dough. Place the 2 sheets in the oven and bake for 25-30 mins, swapping the trays over after 20 mins. The choux buns should be puffed up and crisp when cooked. Leave to cool completely.
Spoon the caramel into a large bowl, add 1/2 tsp salt, mix well and taste – add a little more salt if you like. Add the cream and whisk until holding soft peaks (the cream can now be stored in the fridge for up to 1 day).
Split the choux buns in half, spoon a generous dollop of salted caramel cream into each and replace the lids. Melt the white and dark chocolates in 2 bowls suspended over pans of gently simmering water, or in the microwave. Transfer the dark chocolate to a piping bag and set aside to cool a little. Top each bun with a spoonful of white chocolate, stack the profiteroles on a plate or cake stand, then drizzle over the dark chocolate and sprinkle with chocolate sprinkles or edible glitter, if you like. Serve straight away.