Prep 20min (+pastry making and 30min cooling time)Bake 40minMakes 10

Also called choux a la crème or cream puffs, profiteroles are basically choux pastry balls filled with crème patissiere, whipped cream or, as in these, ice-cream. These profiteroles, a heavenly combination of cinnamon, coffee and chocolate, are just a little bit addictive!

Ingredients

• 1 quantity basic choux pastry
• 2 teaspoons caster sugar
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 egg, lightly whisked, to glaze
• 1 litre homemade or bought espresso or coffee ice-cream, to serve

Fudge sauce

• 200ggood quality dark chocolate (70% cocoa works well), chopped
• 125ml (½ cup) pouring cream
• 2 tablespoons golden syrup
• 1 teaspoon natural vanilla essence or extract
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Method

1. Preheat oven to 200°C. Line 2 large oven trays with non-stick baking paper.
2. Use a wooden spoon to beat the sugar and cinnamon into the warm prepared choux pastry until well combined.
3. Spoon 30 heaped teaspoonfuls of the choux pastry onto the lined trays about 2cm apart to allow for spreading. Use a damp fingertip to smooth any peaks. Sprinkle the trays with a little water.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes or until well puffed and golden. Reduce the oven to 180°C and bake for a further 20 minutes. Turn off the oven and leave the puffs to cool in the oven for at least 30 minutes to dry. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool completely.
5. Meanwhile, to make the fudge sauce, combine all the ingredients in a small saucepan and stir over low heat until the chocolate melts and the sauce is smooth. Set aside and keep warm.
6. To serve, cut each of the cinnamon choux puffs in half and fill each with small scoop of ice-cream. Place three on each serving plate and spoon over the warm chocolate fudge sauce. Serve immediately.

This recipe is from Anneka's SBS Food online column, Bakeproof: Choux Pastry.

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 Photography by Alan Benson.