Delicious Pâte à Choux Swans filled with Cream Cheese Chantilly cream perfect dessert any time.
Pâte à Choux Swans frilled with Cream Cheese Chantilly is a famous French pastry. Kat of The Bobwhites was our hostess for daring baker's challenge asked us make swans or any shape and filled with crème patisserie or Chantilly cream or any cream of your choice. As usual debate of yes or n/a .I finally find some time to venture in making Pâte à Choux Swans frilled with Cream Cheese Chantilly.
I like swans, because I grown up hearing the stories from our great epic Mahabharata by my grandma. Usually she tells the stories during my bed time and also watching these stories played in Kathakali,highly stylized classical Indian dance-drama, which is peculiar with is attractive makeup and costumes, gestures and its music. It is unique dance form of my home state Kerala.
It is like Opera you need to listen carefully, and watch. During temple festivals there will be Kathakali performed in the night, played in stage and people will sit in open ground watch the whole night. It usually comes in my summer holidays, my grandma, aunt and me will go and watch these dance drama without any fail. She will carry lot of munchies and bed sheet, if I sleep in between. She will tell me stories before hand, so that I can enjoy it very well.
Epic Mahabharata consists of lot of sub stories, among this one of the sub stories is about the King Nalan, the King of Nishadha. He hears from sage Narada about Damayanthi, the charming daughter of Bheema, King of Kundinapuri. Narada's description is enough for Nala to fall head over heels in love with Damayanthi. His infatuation for her interferes with his official duties. To ponder what to do, he decides to take a walk in the garden where he encounters an enchanting golden swan who tells the lovelorn king that it would carry his message to Damayanthi.
Nala agrees and the swan flies away. The swan conveys Nala's message while Damayanthi is in the garden with her maids. The swan promises to ensure that Nala and Damayanthi are married to each other and returns to Nala with Damayanthi's declaration of love.
There is beautiful drawing by our famous artist Raja Ravi Varma is depicting Damyanthi talking to Swan is in my hand.
So when I got a chance to make swan, I jumped at this chance, however my pastry and piping skills are still in its infancy. Unless you try it how you will know that is my hubby’s motto, so tried to make them.
I watched lot of you tube videos however, and liked a few and here , here and here. I found that for a pate a choux recipe you need water, milk, butter, salt and egg. So I changed the recipe given for the challenge by incorporating milk into them. I was able to make pate a choux successfully, and then came the dreaded piping part. I try to pipe a few times, but none of the time did it look like swan. Finally I gave up and and accepted the last piped version. If you look them you may not think it can become a swan. Yes it did.
I was not in a mood to make pastry crème. I had some cream cheese in hand and it needed to be used up so made cream cheese Chantilly. I used only 2 tablespoon of sugar. However my princess is addicted to frosting, she didn’t care about mama’s swans, and decide to eat only the frosting. By yesterday evening I was able finish my swans and filled them with cream cheese heavy cream frosting. They turned out be beautiful, even my hubby told me they looklike swans. Finally it was difficult for me to eat them. I did it and they were delicious. If you have to celebrate a party then make these swans as desserts, they are cute and delicious. Here goes the recipe.
First make Pâte à Choux for Swans and then Cream cheese chantilly
Preheat the oven to 375F.Line two baking sheet with Parchment paper.
Heat milk, water, butter, salt and sugar in medium sauce pot, once milk start boiling, add sifted flour at once. Mix well so that dough comes together.Remove from the fire and set aside and gradually incorporate eggs to form creamy dough.
Using a piping bag with star tip pipe swan's body and with narrow tip pipe its head. When I piped both they didn't look like any body or head. Don't worry you will be able to see some after baking.
While your swan's body and head is cooling you can make cream cheese Chantilly. Make sure to freeze the bowl and whisk at 10 minutes. Then cream the cream cheese, sugar, vanilla extract and gradually incorporate the whipping cream in steady stream continuing the whisking. Beat until its gets stiff peaks.
When you are ready to serve, cut the body of swan in the middle to form two piece. Then again cut the top part into two piece. They become the wings. Fill the bottom part with cream cheese chantitly, and connect the head. And place two wings.
Only fill the swan's with cream when you are ready for serving, not earlier as it become soggy.
Dust them with powdered sugar and serve.
Pâte à Choux Swans with filled Cream Cheese Chantilly
Delicious Pâte à Choux Swans filled with Cream cheese Chantilly, great dessert for any get together.
Servings: 5
Calories: 1927kcal
Ingredients
- ¼ cup butter
- ¼ cup 240 ml water
- ¼ cup Milk
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ½ cup /70g all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- Cream cheese Chantilly
- 2 oz cream cheese softened at room temperature
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoon granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Line at least two baking sheets with silicone mats or parchment paper, or grease pans well.
- Preheat oven to moderately hot 375°F/190°C/gas mark 5 .
- In a small saucepan, combine butter, milk, water, sugar and salt. Heat until milk and water boils and butter melts, then remove from stove.
- Add flour all at once by sifting well and beat the mixture until the dough pulls away from the sides of the pot.
- Set aside for about 5 minutes or dough is cool enough to touch.
- Add one egg at a time and beat until well combined. Add remaining eggs individually, beating vigorously after each addition. Resulting mixture should be somewhat glossy, very smooth, and somewhat thick.
- Using a ¼” (6 mm) tip on a pastry bag, pipe out about 11 swan heads. You’re aiming for something between a numeral 2 and a question mark, with a little beak if you’re skilled and/or lucky.
- Remove the tip from the bag and pipe out 11 swan bodies. These will be about 1.5” (40 mm) long, and about 1” (25 mm) wide. One end should be a bit narrower than the other.
- Bake the heads for 10 minutes and bodies for about 27 minutes until golden and puffy.
- Remove the pastries to a cooling rack, and let cool completely before filling.
- Cream cheese Chantilly
- Chill medium mixing bowl and whisk in freezer for 10 minutes before beginning. In chilled bowl, whisk cream cheese ,sugar and vanilla extract and beat until everything mix well.While the mixture is still whipping, slowly pour in the heavy cream. Stop and scrape the bottom of the bowl a couple of times while you continue whipping until the cream can hold a stiff peak. Do not over-whip.
- Assembly
- Take a swan body and use a very sharp knife to cut off the top ½.
- Cut the removed top down the center to make two wings.
- Dollop a bit of filling into the body, insert head, and then add wings.
- Your first attempt will probably not look like much, but the more you make, the more your bevy of swans will become a beautiful work of swan art.
Notes
You can use Vanilla Crème Patisserie, or any other cream of your choice can be used as filling. Adapted from Baking Series OFF THE HOOK! by Chef Bruno.
Nutrition
Calories: 1927kcal | Carbohydrates: 88g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 164g | Saturated Fat: 99g | Cholesterol: 844mg | Sodium: 1124mg | Potassium: 526mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 34g | Vitamin A: 6252IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 342mg | Iron: 5mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @nidhinikhil or tag #zestysouthindiankitchenrecipes!
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This is Swathi ( Dr. Ambujom Saraswathy Ph.D) from Zesty South Indian Kitchen who loves to explore cuisines from all over the world. Whenever possible I try to to give an Indian touch to several of the world cuisine, and has weakness for freshly baked bread. All the recipes you see here are created by me and approved after taste-test by my family.
Alea Milham says
Your swans are so lovely! They look delicious too, but I would hate to hurt them. 🙂
The 21st Century Housewife© says
I was interested to learn more about Kathakali theatre and the story of Damayanthi. Your Pate a Choux Swans are just gorgeous! It's wonderful you took on this project. I really admire what you have made, and the tutorial you have shared!
Winnie says
These swans look amazingly beautiful.
Very elegant and delicate - wonderful baking!:)
Marlys-thisandthat says
Your swans looks beautiful and very hard to make... I don't think I will be trying them in the near future but will come back and admire your handiwork. Love your story also. Thanks for sharing on Foodie Friends Friday and remember to come back and vote on Sunday.
http://marlys-thisandthat.blogspot.com
Elisabeth says
Swathi, I will not be making swans of any type, soon...just admiring your gorgeous swans and the time consumed on them is quite a project. I think I will just stay with the simple cream puffs!
You managed to make not only a fabulous Pate a Choux but create delicate graceful swans and a beautiful story to accompany it from your childhood, and that is PRICELESS:D
Divya Pramil says
Looks so pretty 🙂 If you serve them for me I'll just keep admiring won't eat them 🙂
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Julie says
Yummy awesome pics..lovely beautiful cutees!!
Happy Onam dear!!
Suja Manoj says
Stunning pics and awesome job dear,it looks so pretty.
Wish you and family a very happy and prosperous Onam.
Miriam says
They are so beautiful!!!!!
Miriam@Meatless Meals For Meat Eaters
Kim says
Your swans turned out lovely. And thank you for sharing the story of you and your grandmother enjoying the show, and hearing wonderful stories about romantic love! Great job!
Sowmya Chandrasekaran says
Amazing!!!! Actually no words to describe how good they look...
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Anu says
Just look just perfect Swathi..
What's for dessert? says
So romantic! Swans are beautiful, great job on the challenge!
Chandrani says
So gorgeous and amazing preparation. You have done perfectly done and superb!!such elaborate & delicate description. Great Swathi.
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simple baking says
Awesome and such a great write up too! Lovely presentation. You really have done a marvelous job.
PrathibhaSreejith says
So beautiful Swans Swathi, you have done a great job so perfectly baked and filled too!!! lovely clicks too.
Wishing you and family A Very Happy Onam!!!!
Turmeric n Spice says
u are one patient person....i cannot imagine step by step pix on this one ....awesome job
Shri says
Swathi they look amazing! Happy Onam to you!
Cake Duchess says
Excellent job, Swathi! Love pâte à choux and your swans look so elegant:)
Balvinder Ubi says
Swathi, I am mesmerized by your beautiful swans.
Reeni Pisano says
Your swans are beautiful Swathi! You did excellent work! I love the story to go with them too. Precious.
Srimathi says
AHAHHA! I could not help smiling and laughing looking at this post. The swans look so cool.
Now Serving says
Looks perfect beautiful... awesome post!
Navaneetham Krishnan says
Salute to you for making the choux swan. Very skilfully made and its breathtaking.
Smita says
Wow...such elaborate & delicate details...Beautiful!!!
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Sherin Deepu says
this is such a novel idea. Ur swans look gorgeous.
Marus says
You are an artist. It is wonderful!
Good day.
Vijayalakshmi Dharmaraj says
nicely done... great work... neat presentation... yummm...
VIRUNTHU UNNA VAANGA
Mely says
Lovely entry. The end result looks like it is well worth the work of making them. They look so elegant. Thank you for posting all the step by step pictures.
Mely
Kaveri Venkatesh says
For a first time, the swans look too good...really beautiful...a new and interesting recipe...Happy Onam dear
dassana says
they are so beautiful..... i won't even feel like eating them... i would just keep on admiring them. i can never make anything like this..
mjskit says
Oh Swathi - these are beautiful! Like you, I would "almost" hate to eat them. 🙂 I love your cream cheese filling! One of the things I love about the assisted living place where my mother is, is a pond with 3 swans. It's hypnotizing to watch them "float" around. They are such elegant birds.
Sanoli Ghosh says
Excellent clicks Swathi. The way you made those swans perfectly, is really admirable dear. Will try it soon.
Priya says
Damn cute and adorable edible swans..Very tempting and pulling me to make some.
Hema says
Wow, wow, wow Swathi, loved reading the story behind the swans and girl you are very artistic, the swans have come out superb..
Kavi Foodomania says
Amazinggggg Swat!! 😀 I saw the 1st pic and thought "wow, how daring!" and then I read on to find its a daring baker's challenge! 😀 good job!
Ramya says
That looks lovely Swathi..Just like Dhamayanthi's swans:-)
PT says
excellent presentation swathi 🙂
Shilpakiran says
you are simply grt swathiji .. you have done superb job.. well done ..they looks awesome..thanks for sharing
Archana Potdar says
These are hard work. I would lov eto eat them ;). You make I will eat;D
Shobha says
The swans are so beautiful Swathi...just superb!
Priya R says
Perfect looking Swans Swathi, and love the story line behind the dish... great photographs and detailed explanation... superb, wish i can try them.
Swati Sapna says
My God Swathi! These swans look awesome!! Cant believe you made them for the first time and so beautifully at that! Am super impressed girl 🙂
Beena.stephy says
Woow awsome work
Vimitha Anand says
They look so perfectly done dear... beauties
Shweta in the Kitchen says
What gorgeous looking swans swathi 🙂 loved them, you are truly a perfectionist!!
http://shwetainthekitchen.blogspot.com/
Sayantani says
yes they look gorgeus...love the way you depicted the whole process making it so easier for us to try. lovely post Swathi.
Renata says
They look gorgeous Swathi! It's inspiring when we make something that brings us memories.