Irresistible French Coffee Puffs – Perfect for Breakfast!
Are you ready for a French breakfast experience like no other? Introducing French coffee puffs, a light and fluffy pastry drenched in a cinnamon sugar coating that will take your taste buds straight to the streets of Paris. These puffs are perfect for a weekend brunch or simply a cozy morning at home. In this recipe, we’ll show you how to make classic French breakfast puffs with a coffee twist, resulting in an irresistible treat that’s easy to whip up any time of day. Trust us, one bite of these goodies and you’ll instantly feel transported to a quaint café in the heart of Paris. So grab your apron and let’s get started on this delectable journey!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Picture yourself serenely sitting in an old-school Parisian cafe with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee, luscious croissants and warm, fluffy pastries enticing you. Now imagine being able to recreate that enchanting atmosphere at home with just a few simple ingredients. Enter one of my all-time favorite recipes – French Coffee Puffs!
I promise you’ll go weak in the knees at the mere sight of these mouth-watering delights! These deliciously buttery and flaky puffs, delicately balanced by the inviting cinnamon sugar topping, will make you feel like you’ve been transported straight to a boulangerie in the heart of France.
But this recipe is not just about the taste and aroma – it’s about the experience. One bite into these warm puffy clouds, and they’ll melt in your mouth, giving you an unparalleled pastry experience! Having served thousands of customers over the years, trust me when I say: these French Coffee Puffs are simply irresistible!
Yet, don’t just take my word for it – these puffs have a long legacy of satisfying taste buds since time immemorial. Passed down from generation to generation, it is an age-old classic French breakfast dish that effortlessly brings people together around bonfire conversations or intimate gatherings.
So if you’re looking to impress your family or friends or anyone who loves a good brunch, whip up a batch of these French Coffee Puffs and watch everyone swoon over their decadent goodness! Trust me; with these puffs on your plate, you’ll become the star attraction of any party.
Ingredient List
Here are the ingredients you’ll need to make French Coffee Puffs – a classic French breakfast pastry that has a beautiful combination of sweetness and nuttiness of cinnamon sugar and French cream.
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 cups of all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
Wet Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup sour cream
Cinnamon Sugar Topping:
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
Notably, cinnamon sugar gives a pleasant and exotic flavor to French breakfast puffs. Also, it’s important to have your butter soft ready for this recipe since it’s going to be mixed with sugar to create fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth crumbly puffs in the oven. Furthermore, the use of nutmeg will add warmth and depth to the aroma of the pastry.
The Recipe How-To
Now, it’s time to get into the nitty-gritty details of how to make these delightful French Coffee Puffs. Don’t worry, it’s not as difficult as you might think!
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees, and lightly grease 12 muffin cups.
In a large bowl, mix together:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- A pinch of nutmeg
Set this mixture aside.
In another bowl, cream together 1/2 cup butter and 3/4 cup sugar until it’s light and fluffy.
Add in:
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup sour cream
Mix well.
Gradually stir the flour mixture into the butter mixture until just blended.
Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin cups.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a puff comes out clean.
Meanwhile, create your cinnamon sugar topping:
- Mix together 1/2 cup sugar and 2 tsp cinnamon.
When the puffs are done baking, remove them from the oven and let cool for a few minutes. While still warm, dip each puff top into melted butter, then coat in cinnamon sugar topping.
Voila! You have just created delicious and irresistible French Coffee Puffs.
Substitutions and Variations
If you’re looking to mix things up a bit, there are plenty of substitutions and variations you can make to this French Coffee Puffs recipe. Here are a few ideas:
– Instead of sour cream, you could use Greek yogurt or buttermilk for a tangy flavor.
– If cinnamon isn’t your thing, substitute it for nutmeg or allspice for an earthier taste.
– For a more savory take on these breakfast puffs, use finely chopped herbs like rosemary, thyme or parsley instead of the sugar and cinnamon topping.
– Swap out the espresso powder in the pastry cream for cocoa powder to create chocolate coffee puffs.
– Make mini-sized coffee choux buns called “chouquettes” by omitting the pastry cream filling and dusting them with pearl sugar before baking.
– Serve these French Breakfast Puffs with milk tea or coffee cream for extra oomph.
These variations can add new layers of texture and flavor to your breakfast puffs. Experiment with different options to find your perfect combination.
Serving and Pairing
These French coffee puffs are the perfect treat for a sweet breakfast or brunch with friends and family. Serve them warm out of the oven to enjoy their delicate and fluffy texture and buttery flavor at their best.
Pair these puffs with your favorite hot beverage, such as a freshly brewed coffee or a creamy hot chocolate, to balance their sweetness and add an extra layer of indulgence. You can also try them with a cup of milk tea or latte to enjoy their rich flavor with a calming touch.
For a fancier twist, you can level up your serving game by garnishing these puffs with whipped cream, sliced berries, or drizzled chocolate. This will turn them into an elegant dessert that you can serve at any party or gathering.
When it comes to pairing these French coffee puffs with other dishes, you can try some classic breakfast favorites such as scrambled eggs, bacon, or fresh fruit salad. The buttery and slightly sweet flavor of the puffs will complement the salty and savory taste of the eggs and bacon, while the fresh fruit will balance their sweetness and add a refreshing touch.
In summary, these French coffee puffs are incredibly versatile treats that you can pair with many beverages and dishes. Whether you’re looking for a quick breakfast snack or an elegant dessert, they are sure to satisfy your cravings for something buttery, fluffy, and delicious.
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
French coffee puffs are best when served freshly baked, but they can also be prepared in advance and reheated later. To make them ahead of time, simply bake the recipe as directed and let them cool completely.
When storing the coffee puffs, place them in an airtight container and keep them at room temperature for up to two days. If you want to store them for a longer period of time, place them in the freezer for up to three months.
To reheat the frozen puffs, place them in a preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about ten minutes until heated through. You can also use a microwave for reheating by placing the puffs on a microwave-safe plate and heating it for 10-15 seconds.
It is important to remember that reheated puffs may not be as crisp as freshly baked ones, but they will still retain their delicious flavor. To give the puffs a crispy texture, sprinkle some cinnamon sugar on top after reheating.
So go ahead and make these delightful French coffee puffs ahead of time and store them for later use. They are perfect for breakfast or any time of the day when you need a sweet treat.
Tips for Perfect Results
Now that we have gone through the ingredient list and how to make these delicious French Coffee Puffs, let’s dive into some tips to get the perfect results every time.
Firstly, make sure to use fresh baking powder. Baking powder is a crucial ingredient to getting the perfect rise in your puffs. If the baking powder is old, it won’t be as effective, resulting in flat or dense puffs instead of light and fluffy ones.
Secondly, when measuring flour and baking powder, use a spoon and level method. This method involves using a spoon to scoop the flour and then leveling it off with a knife. By doing so, you can ensure an accurate measurement, which is essential for achieving consistent results.
Thirdly, do not overmix the batter. Overmixing can result in tough and rubbery puffs. Mix until all ingredients are just incorporated, and there are no more dry spots.
Fourthly, use room temperature ingredients like eggs and sour cream. Room temperature ingredients combine easier than cold ingredients, ensuring an even mixture throughout your batter.
Lastly, do not open the oven during baking until near the end of the baking time. Opening the oven door before the puffs are fully set will cause them to collapse due to a sudden drop in temperature.
By following these tips, you’ll be able to achieve perfect French Coffee Puffs every time. Happy baking!
Bottom Line
In conclusion, if you’re in search of a delectable pastry to satisfy your sweet tooth cravings, then the French Coffee Puffs recipe is perfect for you! This recipe is straightforward and easy to follow, even for novice bakers. With its fluffy texture, rich espresso flavor, and irresistible sweetness, these puffs are sure to leave an impression on your taste buds.
What makes this recipe stand out from others is its versatility. Not only are they perfect for breakfast or brunch, but they also make an excellent snack paired with a cup of milk tea or coffee. You can even experiment with different fillings, such as different flavors of pastry cream or praline crème.
Additionally, with the potential for substitutions and variations that the recipe offers, there’s no need to worry if you don’t have all the ingredients on hand. The cinnamon sugar topping can be substituted with your preferred flavor profile or served plain. The sour cream can be replaced with yogurt or even buttermilk!
In conclusion, these French Breakfast Puffs will quickly become a staple in your recipe collection for times when you need something sweet and indulgent. Whether you are looking to impress family and friends at brunch or celebrate a special occasion with loved ones, this dessert is sure to be a hit. Don’t hesitate to try this classic French pastry today!
French Coffee Puffs Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- sugar, for dipping
- cinnamon, for dipping
Instructions
- Cream the 1/2 cup butter and the sugar together.
- Sift flour and baking powder.
- Mix the sour cream and egg together.
- Add the sifted dry ingredients to the butter mixture alternately with the sour cream mixture. Don't overmix.
- Fill miniature muffin tins 3/4 full.
- Bake at 375°F for 12 - 15 minutes.
- Remove from heat.
- Combine sugar and cinnamon to your taste.
- Melt butter.
- Remove puffs from tins.
- Roll in melted butter then in sugar and cinnamon mixture.