Becky's Cream Puffs

Well, after Banana Cream Pie, this is my other specialty. I use the very same filling that I use for my pie. Once in a while I add the little teaspoon of jam, but I mostly make them plain. Could use the same recipe for Chocolate Eclairs, just make them long and frost with a chocolate frosting.

1 cup water

1/2 cup butter or margarine

4 eggs

1 cup flour

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Heat water and butter or margarine to boiling in a saucepan.  Stir in flour, stirring constantly until mixture leaves pan and forms into a ball. (about 1 minute)  Remove from heat and beat in the eggs one at a time until mixture is smooth and velvety.  Drop in 8 mounds onto an un-greased cookie sheet.  Bake for 45 to 50 minutes until lightly browned.  Cut top off and fill with filling.  Can add 1 tablespoon of strawberry jam in each. (optional)  Replace top and sprinkle lightly with powdered sugar.  

Filling:

2/3 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup cornstarch

3 cups milk

3 egg yolks

1 tablespoon butter or margarine

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla

Mix sugar, salt, cornstarch in a medium saucepan.  Gradually stir in milk.  Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until mixture boils.  Boil 1 minute stirring constantly.  In a small bowl mix egg yolks and 1/4 cup hot mixture together.  Stir well.  Then add this back to the rest.  Return to heat and boil for 1 more minute, stirring constantly.  Remove from heat and blend in butter or margarine and vanilla.  Mix well and fill cream puffs.