Japanese Cream Puff The Best Homemade Recipe

Published Oct 16, 2024

Japanese Cream Puff Recipe

A Japanese cream puff is a beloved treat you’ll find in bakeries all across Japan. It’s the ultimate blend of sweet, airy, and custardy goodness, and it’s becoming popular in bakeries across Asia, with chains like Beard Papa’s making it even more well-known. A good cream puff is always perfectly puffed on the outside but hollow on the inside, with a creamy, smooth and addictive filling called crème pâtissière (fancy name for pastry cream). What really sets these cream puffs apart is how the textures and flavors work together—the crispy shell and rich, creamy filling make each bite absolutely enjoyable! In this Japanese cream puff recipe, I’ll be teaching you how to make easy Japanese cream puffs and a delicious pastry cream filling, so you can enjoy this delightful treat at home! For more Japanese-style baking and pastries, check out my recipes for Cotton Soft Milk Bun, Japanese Cheesecake, and Japanese Cheese Tarts.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple ingredients. You only need a few easy-to-find ingredients like butter, sugar, and flour, so anyone can make this Japanese cream puff without any fancy stuff. Delicious filling. The crème pâtissière filling is creamy and smooth, adding an extra layer of yumminess that makes every bite a treat. Quick cooking process. The steps are straightforward and don’t take much time, making it super easy to fit baking into a busy day. Plus, the dough comes together really quickly on the stovetop! Consistent results. You can expect perfect Japanese cream puffs every time, making this recipe great for beginners.

Japanese Cream Puff Ingredients

Butter – helps make the cream puff tender and gives it that delicious buttery taste. Eggs – help the Japanese cream puffs rise and give them a light, airy texture that everyone loves. All-purpose flour – helps form the pastry shell, so you get that perfect puff every time. Milk – helps make the filling smooth and rich, which is what makes it so tasty. Egg yolks – used in the pastry cream, egg yolks add richness and help thicken the filling, giving the crème pâtissière its smooth texture and creamy flavor. Caster sugar – this fine sugar dissolves easily, making it perfect for sweetening both the dough and the pastry cream. Unsalted butter – added to the pastry cream to give it more richness and help create that smooth, glossy filling that pairs perfectly with the Japanese cream puff.

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients.

Baking Tips For Home Bakers

Let your eggs sit at room temperature before using them. This helps them mix in better and makes your cream puffs lighter. Make sure to let the dough cool a bit before adding the eggs. This prevents them from cooking and keeps the mixture nice and smooth. Try not to open the oven door while they’re baking, especially in the first 10-15 minutes, or your cream puffs might deflate. Let the Japanese cream puffs cool completely before filling them. This keeps them light and crispy instead of soggy.

What To Serve With This Recipe

If you are having an afternoon tea or coffee, you may pair them with the following treats: Whisk egg yolks and sugar in a saucepan. Sift the all-purpose flour into the egg mixture, and mix well. I hope you enjoy this post as much as I do. If you try my recipe, please leave a comment and consider giving it a 5-star rating. For more easy and delicious recipes, explore my Recipe Index, and stay updated by subscribing to my newsletter and following me on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram for new updates.