Pop's Famous Cream Puffs

Rachel Potachel's Note:

These are such a big deal for my family...always as special as the occasion itself.

• Total Time: 1 hrs 30 mins
• Prep Time: 45 mins
• Cook Time: 45 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 12

Batter

• 1 cup softened butter
• 2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 8 eggs
• 1 (3 1/2 ounce) box vanilla pudding mix

Chocolate Topping

• 3 tablespoons butter
• 5 tablespoons cocoa
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 (16 ounce) box powdered sugar

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
2. Melt butter in 2 cups boiling water.
3. Add flour and salt, stirring well until mixture forms a ball that doesn't separate.
4. Remove from heat, cool slightly.
5. Add eggs one at a time, beating after each until smooth.
6. Drop heaping tablespoons of batter on greased cookie sheet.
7. Bake at 450 degrees F for 15 minutes.
8. Lower temperature to 325 degrees F and bake for an additional 25 minutes.
9. Remove and let cool.
10. Cook vanilla pudding according to package directions, or make homemade. Try http://www.recipezaar.com/Vanilla-Pudding-4271.
11. Split puffs and fill with vanilla pudding (or any other flavor).
12. For chocolate topping, stir melted butter and cocoa together in a medium bowl.
13. Add milk and powdered sugar. Stir well.
14. Cover tops of cream puffs with chocolate topping.
15. Refrigerate on trays and serve cold.