Chouquettes are balls of choux pastry sprinkled with pearl sugar and baked for a light, crisp, irresistible snack.
The things we tell ourselves!
Prior to my first culinary related course, just a few years ago, I would not dare venture into the world of French pastry. Oh, don't get me wrong, I ate them. Often. But I would never think to make any of the amazingly, buttery, deliciousness so readily available in the small shops and bakeries throughout Paris.
My very first experience with French pastry was around the age of thirteen. One of my aunts was dating a dude from France, who happened to be a chef. He was serious eye candy, but I totally fell for him and French pastry that morning years ago, when the house awakened to freshly baked croissants. One dozen, warm, flaky, buttery croissants. I would have shacked up with him right there and then had there not been the issue with age and the fact that he only had eyes for my aunt... SIGH...
I never thought in a million years I could recreate any of the wonderful treats he made over the course of their relationship, or that I've enjoyed through my travels. Until a few years ago, when I worked up the courage to enroll in a series of culinary courses just for fun. I was hella nervous when we got around to choux pastry. Four hours later, picture me driving home with a box of eclairs, cream puffs, swans and a grin of accomplishment that spanned the entire width of my face.
Armed with the basics, I went choux paste craycray - more eclairs with a variety of fillings, profiteroles stuffed with ice cream, cream puffs, crullers, beignets... until buttoning my jeans became optional. So, I was forced to skip the rich fillings and started making batches of Chouquettes, little balls of choux pastry sprinkled with pearl sugar. To satisfy my more savoury cravings, by sprinkling the batter with cheese instead of sugar, I would also make gougeres.
The recipe requires a very small amount of sugar, so you can get liberal with the pearl (nib) sugar. It does not melt in the oven and makes for such a fun and pretty finish. Chouquettes are my go-to for girls nite in. Try whipping up a batch for your next Netflixathon.
Amazing what a simple mixture of butter, water, eggs and flour will yield and all without a raising agent!
Recommended:
Ingredients
- 60 grams unsalted butter ¼ cup, cut into cubes
- 2 grams salt ½ teaspoon
- 3 grams sugar 1 teaspoon
- 120 grams water ½ cup
- 85 grams unbleached all-purpose flour ⅔ cup, sifted
- 2-3 large eggs
- 1 egg for eggwash
- pearl sugar for sprinkling nib sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350ºF.
- Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mat.
- To a small saucepan, melt butter and add salt, sugar and water and bring to a rolling boil.
- Add the flour and use a wooden spoon to stir until a roux (a rough paste). Continue to stir vigorously for a couple minutes.
- Transfer to a bowl and continue to stir until it cools down.
- Add the eggs, one at a time making sure each is fully absorbed before adding the next. You may not need to add all three eggs, so be sure to check the texture after each addition.
- Transfer to a piping bag and pipe onto prepared baking sheets. Brush with egg wash and sprinkle with pearl sugar.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes until golden brown. Turn the oven off and leave the chouquettes in the oven for another 20-25 minutes.
- Transfer to a wire rack to cool.
- Enjoy!!
Mark, Compass & Fork says
Good on you for having a go at the French choux pastry. I'm not much of a baker but maybe I need to try these.
I Sugar Coat It! says
Once I learned from the pros a few years ago, I've been a little less timid in my approach!
Elizabeth says
So beautiful and utterly elegant! I'm afraid I'd probably eat the entire batch to myself though!
I Sugar Coat It! says
That sometimes happens, but no one needs to know. 😉
Kate @ VeggieDesserts says
How gorgeous! I love choux pastry, but these bites with the sugar pearls have made them so special!
I Sugar Coat It! says
So easy and totally addictive!! Perfect girls nite in snack!
Cristie | Little Big H says
So cute and I just love french pasties. I often make gougère and these are like a sweet version. Cant wait to try them.
I Sugar Coat It! says
YES!! I tend to make gougere more for movie night. A great sub for popcorn!
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry says
Oh what a fab recipe and shot. You make me want to eat every sinlge one of these.
I Sugar Coat It! says
Be careful - that's what I did! 😉
Deb|EastofEdenCooking says
Little bits of heaven! What an inspiration! Your sweet post brings back memories of the pastry classes I took to learn the French classics. I've forgotten all about choux pastries and my desire to make eclairs at home. A tasty weekend project!
I Sugar Coat It! says
They are so dangerous - especially when you eat them like one would popcorn.
Debi at Life Currents says
These look and sound great! I recently got some of this sugar, and now I know what to do with it! Thanks for so much yum!
I Sugar Coat It! says
You can use them on brioche, as well! Enjoy!
Jolina - The Unlikely Baker says
I'm afraid of French pastries too! But you make me want to hunt for classes near me too so I can make these amazing I-can't-even-spell-them. And your photos are just lovely. (Wish I had an aunt who dated a French chef so I had memories of waking up to a house smelling of freshly baked croissants. Sigh.)
I Sugar Coat It! says
LOL...I am no longer afraid of French pastries and make these often, but yes, a French chef on hand would be great again! 😉 Give them a try - you really don't need a class.
Catherine Davis says
I don't have the slightest clue how to pronounce this dessert but I sure do want to try it. I love how easy you make it look to make too!
I Sugar Coat It! says
Hahaa...it's as easy as it looks! Go for it!
Kathi @ laughing spatula says
I would really like to try these! I am more of a savory girl so I don't try baking enough sweets...these look fabulous, now if I could only pronounce them :).
I Sugar Coat It! says
Replace the pearl sugar with a cheese like gruyere to make them into gougeres and you're good to go!
Renee says
These look simply delicious! Pinning for later!
I Sugar Coat It! says
Thanks!!
Bella B (xoxoBella) says
I love little bite sized treats! They look relatively easy to make, too.
I Sugar Coat It! says
Super easy!!
Sam | Ahead of Thyme says
Yum this would have been perfect after dinner tonight with a nice cup of tea! These are too cute, I have to bookmark it and make it later
I Sugar Coat It! says
Perfect with a cup of tea!!
Marsha | Marsha's Baking Addiction says
I LOVE choux pastry! I could snack on these all day!
I Sugar Coat It! says
You and me both!!