This classic French dessert features a ring-shaped pâte à choux (choux pastry), designed to resemble a bicycle wheel, and filled with silky crème pâtissière (custard) and light whipped cream.
Homemade Paris–Brest Recipe
Ingredients — Pâte à Choux Pastry
INGREDIENT AMOUNT
Water 1 cup
Unsalted butter 1/2 cup
Sugar 1 tsp
Salt 1/2 tsp
All-purpose flour 1 cup
Eggs 4
Ingredients — Custard Filling
INGREDIENT AMOUNT
Whole milk 2 cups
Eggs 3
Egg yolk 1
Granulated sugar 2/3 cup
Cornstarch 1/4 cup
All-purpose flour 1/4 cup
Salt 1/8 tsp
Vanilla extract 1 tsp
Ingredients — Whipped Cream
INGREDIENT AMOUNT
Heavy whipping cream 2 cups
Powdered sugar 1/4 cup (plus extra for dusting)
Vanilla extract 1 tsp
Instructions
Part 1: Prepare the Crème Pâtissière
Mix the Base:
In a large bowl, whisk the 3 eggs, extra yolk, and sugar until pale and thick. Add cornstarch, flour, and salt, then whisk until smooth.
Temper the Eggs:
Warm the milk in a saucepan until steaming (not boiling). Slowly pour about 1/4 cup into the egg mixture while whisking to prevent curdling.
