Ina Garten Profiteroles – Light, Crispy, and Filled with Creamy Delight

Ina Garten’s Profiteroles are a classic French dessert made from light and airy choux pastry, filled with creamy vanilla ice cream, and topped with warm chocolate sauce. These bite-sized pastries are elegant, versatile, and surprisingly simple to make at home.

They’re perfect for entertaining or special occasions when you want something impressive that doesn’t take hours in the kitchen.

What Are Ina Garten Profiteroles?

Profiteroles are small cream puffs made from pâte à choux—a French dough that puffs up in the oven to create a hollow center. Ina Garten’s version fills them with good-quality vanilla ice cream instead of pastry cream and drizzles warm chocolate sauce over the top for a beautiful contrast in texture and temperature.

Other Ina Garten Recipes

• Ina Garten Frozen Berries with Hot White Chocolate
• Ina Garten’s Italian Drunken Noodles
• Ina Garten Broccoli Pasta
• Ina Garten Tres Leches Cake

Reasons to Try Ina Garten Profiteroles

• Light and airy texture – With a crisp shell and soft center
• Great make-ahead dessert – Bake and freeze the shells in advance
• Elegant yet simple – Only a few ingredients, but stunning presentation
• Crowd-pleasing combination – Pastry, ice cream, and chocolate
• Freezer-friendly shells – Store and fill when ready to serve
• Perfect for holidays or dinner parties – Feels fancy without much effort

Ingredients Needed to Make Ina Garten Profiteroles

For the choux pastry:

• 1 cup water
• 1 stick (½ cup) unsalted butter
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 4 large eggs

For the filling:

• 1 pint good-quality vanilla ice cream (or your favorite flavor)

For the chocolate sauce:

• ½ cup heavy cream
• 4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
• 1 teaspoon instant coffee (optional, enhances chocolate flavor)
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions to Prepare Ina Garten Profiteroles

Step 1: Preheat the oven and prep pans

Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Step 2: Make the choux pastry

In a saucepan, bring water, butter, salt, and sugar to a boil. Once butter is melted, add flour all at once and stir quickly with a wooden spoon. Cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring constantly, until the dough pulls away from the sides and forms a ball.

Step 3: Add eggs one at a time

Transfer dough to a bowl. Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition until the dough is smooth and glossy.

Step 4: Pipe or spoon onto a baking sheet

Scoop or pipe small mounds (1½ inches wide) onto the prepared sheet, spaced 2 inches apart.

Step 5: Bake and cool

Bake for 15 minutes at 425°F, then reduce oven to 375°F and bake another 15–20 minutes until golden brown and puffed. Let cool completely on a wire rack.

Step 6: Prepare the chocolate sauce

In a saucepan, heat the cream until just simmering. Remove from heat and stir in chopped chocolate, instant coffee, and vanilla. Stir until smooth and glossy.

Step 7: Assemble the profiteroles

Slice the cooled puffs in half horizontally. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream to the bottom half, replace the top, and drizzle generously with warm chocolate sauce. Serve immediately.

What Goes Well With Ina Garten Profiteroles

• Espresso or cappuccino – Complements the richness
• Fresh berries or berry compote – Adds brightness and color
• Chopped toasted nuts – Adds crunch and contrast
• A dusting of powdered sugar – For visual appeal
• Fruit sorbet instead of ice cream – For a lighter version
• Caramel or raspberry sauce – Alternative to chocolate
• Sweet dessert wine – Like Moscato or port

Key Tips for Making Ina Garten Profiteroles

• Use room temperature eggs – Helps the dough mix smoothly
• Don’t open the oven early – Causes puffs to deflate
• Let puffs cool completely – Prevents melting the ice cream
• Use a cookie scoop for even sizes – Ensures uniform baking
• Reheat chocolate sauce gently – Avoids separation
• Fill just before serving – Keeps shells crisp
• Freeze unfilled puffs for later – Store in an airtight bag

Creative Variations of Ina Garten Profiteroles

• Try with flavored ice cream – Coffee, pistachio, or strawberry
• Add citrus zest to the dough – Lemon or orange for a bright note
• Use white chocolate sauce – For a different flavor profile
• Sprinkle sea salt on chocolate – For a sweet-salty finish
• Serve as mini profiteroles – Bite-sized for parties
• Fill with whipped cream or pastry cream – For a traditional touch
• Dust with cinnamon or cocoa powder – For added aroma and color

Storage Guidelines for Ina Garten Profiteroles

• Store baked, unfilled shells in an airtight container – Lasts 2 days
• Freeze shells for longer storage – Up to 1 month
• Do not fill in advance – Ice cream will melt and soften the pastry
• Store chocolate sauce in the fridge – Reheat before using
• Avoid storing assembled profiteroles – Best when freshly filled

Reheating Tips for Ina Garten Profiteroles

• Reheat empty shells in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes – Restores crispness
• Microwave chocolate sauce in 15-second bursts – Stir each time
• Do not microwave filled profiteroles – Ice cream will melt
• Assemble only when ready to serve – Keeps texture ideal

Nutritional Value (per filled profiterole with chocolate)

• Calories: 210
• Protein: 3g
• Carbohydrates: 17g
• Fat: 14g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 10g
• Sodium: 65mg

A perfectly portioned indulgence for any occasion.

FAQs

Can I make Ina Garten’s profiteroles ahead of time?

Yes, the choux pastry shells can be baked in advance and stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days or frozen for up to 1 month. Fill them just before serving to keep the texture crisp.

What is the best filling for profiteroles?

Ina Garten fills them with good-quality vanilla ice cream, but they can also be filled with whipped cream, pastry cream, or custard depending on your preference.

Why did my profiteroles collapse after baking?

They may have been underbaked, or the oven door was opened too soon. Make sure they are fully golden and puffed before removing from the oven, and avoid opening the door during baking.

Can I use store-bought chocolate sauce for this dessert?

Yes, but homemade chocolate sauce gives the best flavor and texture. Ina’s version is simple and uses just cream, chocolate, and vanilla.

Wrapping Up

Ina Garten’s Profiteroles are light, elegant, and deliciously indulgent. With their airy pastry, creamy filling, and rich chocolate drizzle, they hit all the right notes.

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