Crispy, crackly-topped chocolate choux puffs filled with luscious hazelnut praline cream—these indulgent pastries combine delicate textures with rich, velvety flavor for a sophisticated bite-sized treat.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These cream puffs offer a delightful contrast in textures: a crisp chocolate craquelin shell, airy choux interior, and a creamy hazelnut filling. Elegant yet approachable, they’re perfect for impressing guests or indulging yourself at home.

ingredients

(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the craquelin topping:

unsalted butter, softened
brown sugar
all-purpose flour
cocoa powder

For the choux pastry:

water
unsalted butter
all-purpose flour
eggs
pinch of salt

For the hazelnut filling:

heavy cream
hazelnut spread (e.g., Nutella)
mascarpone cheese

directions

Prepare the craquelin: Cream butter and sugar, then mix in flour and cocoa powder to form a dough. Roll between baking papers to about 2 mm thick. Freeze until firm, then cut into small rounds.
Make choux dough: In a saucepan, bring water, butter, and salt to a boil. Add flour all at once, stirring vigorously until a dough forms and dries slightly. Cool briefly, then beat in eggs one at a time until smooth and glossy.
Pipe and top: Pipe small mounds of choux dough onto a parchment‑lined tray. Place a frozen craquelin disc on each mound.
Bake: At 375 °F (190 °C) for 25–30 minutes, until puffed and crisp. Cool completely in the oven if desired.
Prepare filling: Whip heavy cream, hazelnut spread, and mascarpone until thick and smooth.
Fill puffs: Use a piping bag to inject the hazelnut cream through the base of each puff.
Serve: Dust lightly with powdered sugar if desired.

Servings and timing

Servings: about 20–30 mini puffs (depending on size)
Prep time: ~45 minutes (includes craquelin prep and cooling)
Cook time: ~30 minutes
Cooling & assembly: ~30 minutes
Total time: ~1 hour 45 minutes

storage/reheating

Unfilled puffs: Store at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2 days; freeze for up to 1 month.
Filled puffs: Refrigerate and consume within 24 hours to preserve crispiness.
To re-crisp: Warm unfilled or frozen puffs in a preheated oven at 350 °F (177 °C) for about 5 minutes.

FAQs

1. Can I skip the craquelin topping?

Yes – they’ll still taste wonderful as classic cream puffs, though without the signature crackly texture.

2. How do I know when choux dough is ready?

The dough is ready when you can lift some on a spatula and it forms a “V” as it falls back — a sign of proper consistency.

3. Why shouldn’t I open the oven while baking?

Opening the oven too early can cause the puffs to collapse before they’ve fully set. Bake undisturbed.

4. Can I freeze the entire assembled puff?

It’s not recommended—the filling can make the shell soggy. Instead, freeze unfilled puffs and fill after reheating.

5. What if my puffs collapse after baking?

It may be due to underbaking, opening the oven prematurely, or incorrect dough consistency. Ensure you bake fully and test the dough properly.

### 6. Can I use milk instead of water in the dough?

Yes, substituting some water with milk yields a sweeter, more browned pastry.

### 7. How big should I pipe the puffs?

For mini versions, pipe 1½–2 inch rounds (about 4–5 cm). Leave at least 1 inch (2–3 cm) between puffs for expansion.

8. Can I make the filling in advance?

Yes – hazelnut cream can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to 2 days.

9. Can I use a different filling?

Absolutely – swap the hazelnut filling for vanilla pastry cream, whipped cream, or ganache to suit your taste.

10. How do I re-crisp stored puffs?

Warm unfilled puffs in a 350 °F oven for about 5 minutes to restore crispiness before filling.

Conclusion

These Chocolate Craquelin Cream Puffs with Hazelnut Filling bring bakery-level sophistication to your kitchen. With a crisp chocolate shell and sumptuous hazelnut cream, they’re perfect for celebrations or indulgent snacks. Despite multiple steps, each phase is manageable—and the result is unforgettable. Enjoy your elegant creations!