02 February 2009

Jean's Cream Puff Cake


Once upon a time, a darling coworker (Jean!) made this cake for one of our coworkers on her birthday. It was soooo good, we were all begging for the recipe. Jean was kind enough to share, and I couldn't even wait I week. I had to make this thing again. It's a lot of cake for just me and Hubs (and Robot), though, so the plan was to bring it into work for my coworkers to yet again enjoy.

I tend to get to work early, about 6am. I didn't want this sucker sitting around warming up in our department (it's best chilled), so I put it in one of the fridges in the breakroom, on the bottom shelf near the back, as to not be in the way of my fellow coworker's lunches and yogurts and such.

Flash forward to 3 days later - I realize, as I shove my lunch in the breakroom fridge that morning, that nooooo! The cake, it's still in here! I had completely forgotten to put it out for my coworkers. I pulled it out of the fridge, popped open the lid to check it out. The cream-puff base had gotten a bit soggy by that point, so I sadly had to toss it in the trash. However there was one peculiar thing to note:

About a third of it was missing. Someone had decided to help themselves to the cake, and then came back for seconds and thirds. Either that, or a whole pack of employees went at it. Dude, seriously? Is nothing personal or sacred in the community office fridge??



I hope this story shows you just how good this cake is, though - worth the crime of sneaking into someone else's pan, in broad (office breakroom fluorescent lighting) daylight. With potential witnesses sitting around, no less. And perhaps later some sort of reprimand for your actions. The cake is EXACTLY like a cream puff - poofy, not sweet, but with a pudding-type filling (on top instead) and whipped cream and chocolate sweet chocolate...

Yeah I don't blame the person or persons, really. I probably would have done it, too.


Jean's Cream Puff Cake
(from my sweetheart of a coworker, Jean)




Ingredients:
1 stick (8 Tbsp.) unsalted butter
1 c. water
1 c. flour
4 large eggs

4 c. milk
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
3 (3.5 oz) pkgs. instant vanilla pudding
1 container Cool Whip
Chocolate syrup

Preheat oven to 400 F.

In a large heavy saucepan, heat butter and water to boiling over medium-high heat. Add flour and reduce heat to low. Cook and stir until it forms a ball and pulls away from the pan. Remove from heat and transfer to a large bowl. Beat in eggs, one at a time, beating well after each egg.
Spread in bottom and up the sides of an ungreased 9x13 inch pan. Bake at 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) for 35 minutes. Cool completely.

To make the filling: In a large bowl, combine cream cheese and milk and beat until smooth. Here's the trick, to keep things smooth: start with the cream cheese, give it a good beating until fluffy. Slowly but surely (while still beating), add the milk. Voila! Once these are well combined, add pudding mix and beat until thickened. Spread over cooled shell.

Top with whipped topping, and drizzle chocolate syrup over the top. Keep refrigerated until serving.

28 comments:

Steph said...

Thanks for sharing this recipe, I never wouldn've thought to use cream puffs as a base. The story about the coworkers stealing cake is sooo funny.

Elyse said...

You have me craving this cake already! I'm not sure I could have resisted stealing a piece either. In fact, I think I'd rather have this cake than plain ole dinner tonight.

Anonymous said...

When I make cream puffs, I put the cooked dough into the food processor, then add the eggs through the tube one at a time. Saves the old arm & works great! Thanks for the recipe.

Martha in KS

Anonymous said...

Hi, sorry to leave a comment on this post, but I had a question about your key lime angel food cake and I wasn't sure you'd see it to answer it. There are some discrepencies between the ingredients and directions that are leaving me a bit confused.

Thanks so much.

Anonymous said...

My sister makes a cake just like this. It is sooooo good and your photo makes me want a piece.

tigermilk said...

you can always make my stomach growl. even after i've finished a nine course meal!

i gave you an award :)

Anonymous said...

What a yummy cake!! Made it for my big 40th birthday and it may become the new family tradition for birthday cakes! Thanks for sharing a wonderful recipe!

Nemmie said...

Thanks guys!

Sunshine - off to look and update that post. I tend to cut/paste recipes then update with my changes, sounds like I biffed that one...

FYI! Now the office cake stealer also steals yogurt and blood oranges from the fridge. FAN-tastic.

Dazy said...

Hey I too tried baking puff cakes and fairy cakes just after my exams got over. I go weak in the knees with a mention of muffins and cakes. Keeps me pushing into the kitchen.

Anonymous said...

I MADE THIS CAKE FOR 4TH OF JULY BBQ YESTERDAY... I HAVE TRIED SEVERAL OTHER RECIPES AND THEY WERE SO SO. THIS WAS THE BEST RECIPE EVER! MY FAMILY ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT... THEY ARE STILL TALKING ABOUT IT TODAY!

Anonymous said...

mmmmmm! maybe I can add a little bit Viagra Online to increase the flavor, I can use this recipe to my next tea party.

yarny girl said...

wow that looks great im going to have to make this, this coming weekend!!

Anonymous said...

What a great recipe, it really look delicious, thanks for share it.
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Anonymous said...

Which size tub of Cool Whip to you use? This looks amazing and I can't wait to try it! :) Thanks!

Anonymous said...

HAHA! Nevermind! I read the recipe too quickly and thought you mixed the Cool Whip in with the pudding. After re-looking at the picture, that's obviously not the case. Oops! :)

kgnelson said...

My mom is the best cook.....everyone knows her for fabulous meals, pies, cakes, ect....this is one dessert she makes and it is actually one of my favorites!! When serving this dessert at an event, we garnish each piece with a fanned out strawberrry.

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Julie said...

Is there a place/link on your pages to print the recipe?? Am I overlooking it or is this not an option?

Anonymous said...

I like puff cakes very much..... And this is also looking very delicious. Thanks...domain service

Holly Wilcox said...

I make this all the time- but tonight we covered it in strawberries (from our garden), instead of chocolate syrup. So delicious! Also, I used the same amount of cream cheese, but only 2 boxes pudding and 2 2/3 cups milk. and no cool whip, since that was all we had. Turned out great! Loved that it wasn't too sweet.

Unknown said...

Made this for Mother's day...it was AMAZING. So good, in fact, that I am making it for a big banquet I am serving on June 5th. Thanks for this gem!

Viki said...

I used frozen puff pastry instead of making it from scratch, and it was still really good. By the way, did you realize some jerks are using your site to post links in their comments?

qasb00 said...

Could you please tell me what i could use instead of the pudding? I mean instead of the packet stuff,anything i could make at home?

jamienkris said...

Thanks so much for sharing this recipe!! My family loves it!!

angela said...

JUST finished up. AAAAAAAH Delicious! :) Thank you for the recipe!

ellysianfields said...

Made this last weekend for the first time and it was a big hit! I used french vanilla pudding mix and it was fantastic. Thanks for a great recipe!

Suzanne Smith said...

This was so easy to make! My community group, co-workers, husband and I thank you for posting this recipe. It was yummy!

Unknown said...

Great recipe! I made this today for a potluck at my husbands work. It was a huge hit! Needless to say it's all gone and tasted amazing!