Chouquettes Aux Pepites de Chocolat

As I was sitting outside enjoying a day in the sun something about the warm breeze + smell of summer reminded me of Europe. I miss the beautiful beaches, amazing architecture, delicious food + wonderful people I met. Wishing I could magically teleport myself to a cafe in France where I could sit + read while enjoying a delicious pastry I decided to bake something so I could at least pretend.

A while back I read David Lebovitz's The Sweet Life in Paris and marked a recipe for Chouquettes aux pepites de chocolat or chocolate chip cream puffs. These seemed like the perfect recipe for my afternoon activity.

They were super easy to make + truly deee-licious. Enjoy these little guys outside, close your eyes + pretend you are in France.

Chouquettes Aux Pepites de Chocolat

From David Lebovitz's The Sweet Life in Paris

1 cup water

1/2 tsp coarse salt

2 tsp sugar

6 tbsp unsalted butter, cut into cubes

1 cup flour

4 large eggs, room temperature

1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup pearl sugar*

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. In a small saucepan heat water, salt, sugar and butter until butter is melted and water starts to boil. Remove from heat and add to flour. Stir rapidly until the mixture is smooth and pulls away from the bowl. Allow the dough to cool for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally to release the heat. Briskly beat in eggs one at a time until the paste is smooth and shiny. Let cool completely to room temperature, then stir in chocolate chips. Drop mounds of dough on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper about 2 teaspoons each. Sprinkle each generously with the pearl sugar. (David recommends using a lot + really pressing into each pastry). Bake for about 20 minutes or until puffed and well browned.**

*I bought my pearl sugar at Fox and Obel in

Chicago, I also hear it can be purchased at some Ikea stores. It's great.

**Note: the original recipe says bake for 35 minutes but mine were brown + ready to go around 20 minutes in.