This food holiday on January 2 celebrates a delightful pastry that has its origins in 16th-century France.
Attributed to the pastry chef of Catherine de Medici, the cream puff — or "choux à la crème" in French — is made from a light and airy dough that can be filled with whipped cream, pastry cream, or custard, and is often topped with chocolate or powdered sugar.
Symbolizing indulgence and sophistication in gastronomy, this food holiday highlights the historical significance of cream puffs in French cuisine and their evolution into a beloved dessert worldwide.
Cream puffs first appeared on restaurant menus in the USA as early as the 1850s, a period of growing interest in French cuisine among American diners and chefs.
Cream puffs inspired the creation of other popular desserts like éclairs, showcasing the versatility of choux pastry in American baking and expanding the dessert repertoire of its chefs.
"I told my wife she should embrace her mistakes. She gave me a hug and a cream puff!"