✨ Nun’s Puffs (Heavenly Honey Pastries) 🍯🧁
Light as air. Crispy on the outside. Soft and custardy on the inside.
These delightful pastries—known as Nun’s Puffs—are an old-fashioned treat with a quirky name and an unforgettable flavor. With just a few pantry staples, you can whip up a batch of golden, buttery puffs that feel like they floated down from the heavens. Whether you’re making them for brunch, tea time, or a cozy Sunday bake, they’re sure to impress. 😋
🧂 Ingredients:
1 stick unsalted butter (½ cup) 🧈
1 cup whole milk 🥛
¾ cup all-purpose flour 🍞
4 large eggs 🥚
½ to 1 tablespoon granulated sugar (optional, for a hint of sweetness) 🍬
Extra sugar for sprinkling ✨
Optional: honey, powdered sugar, or fruit preserves for serving 🍯🍓
👩🍳 Instructions:
1. Preheat and Prep:
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Generously grease a 12-cup muffin tin (or mini tart pans if you’re feeling fancy). These puffs rise best when they can cling to the sides, so avoid paper liners.
2. Make the Choux Base:
In a medium saucepan, combine the butter and milk over medium heat. Stir occasionally and bring to a gentle boil. As soon as the butter is fully melted and the mixture starts bubbling, remove the pan from the heat.
3. Incorporate the Flour:
Immediately add all the flour at once and stir vigorously with a wooden spoon. The mixture will look lumpy at first but will soon come together into a smooth dough ball that pulls away from the sides of the pan—this is classic choux pastry behavior!
4. Cool Down:
Let the dough rest and cool slightly for about 5–7 minutes. You don’t want it piping hot when you add the eggs or they might scramble.
5. Add the Eggs:
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. The batter may look separated at first, but keep stirring—it will become glossy and smooth. If you’re using the optional sugar, add it now to give the puffs a subtle sweetness.
✨ Tip: For ease, you can transfer the mixture to a bowl and use a hand mixer on medium speed. This makes incorporating the eggs much easier.
6. Fill the Tin:
Spoon the batter into the muffin cups, filling each about half to two-thirds full. These will puff up dramatically, so leave room! Sprinkle a little sugar on top of each one for a sweet, crackly finish.
7. Bake to Golden Glory:
Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the tops are deep golden brown and puffed. Try not to open the oven door while baking—this could cause your puffs to deflate before they’re set.
8. Cool and Enjoy:
Once done, remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly in the tin before gently loosening the edges and transferring to a cooling rack.
🍽 Serving Ideas:
Drizzle with honey for extra decadence.
Dust with powdered sugar for a pretty, bakery-style touch.
Pair with jam or fruit compote for an elegant brunch treat.
Or keep it simple and enjoy them warm with a cup of tea or coffee. ☕💕
💡 Storage Tips:
Nun’s Puffs are best enjoyed fresh on the day they’re made (ideally within a few hours). However, if you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 day. You can also reheat them briefly in a toaster oven to revive their crispness.
🧁 Final Thoughts:
With their crispy shells and tender, almost custard-like centers, Nun’s Puffs are proof that simple ingredients can create something truly magical. Whether you call them divine, old-school, or just plain addictive—one thing’s for sure: you’ll be making these again and again!