Strawberry Powder Puffs

This recipe could easily replace my favorite strawberry shortcake! These delightfully light and chewy soft sandwiches melt in your mouth! Now, I’m not going to list any health benefits today other than it makes me happy! Which is a good thing, isn’t it? Another option to consider is to use homemade jam or a good commercial jam to spread in between. I have some beautiful passionfuit jam made by the Oriental Hotel in Bangkok. So easy to make and devour!

Makes 12
recipe from Easy Living Magazine

4 egg whites
250g caster sugar
1 teaspoon grated orange zest
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
150g plain flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
250ml double cream
24 strawberries, sliced

Preheat oven to 180c. Beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form and slowly add sugar. Continue beating until glossy (about 1 minute). Add orange zest and vanilla. In another bowl sift together flour and baking powder. Fold flour into egg whites until no white streaks remain. Spoon batter into a large plastic bag and cut the end off a corner (about 1/2″). On a baking tray lined with greased paper, pipe the batter into 2 inch rounds. Bake until puffed and golden (about 12 minutes). Cool on a rack. Whip cream until soft peaks form. Place a dollop of whipped cream on the underside of the puffs, top with strawberry slices and place another puff on top of each. Dust with icing sugar (optional).

The Culinary Chase’s Note: Light and airy are two words that come to mind to describe these puffs. Pure pleasure and indulgence are another! Sorry Valter and Andrew, you guys missed out on these…….perhaps next time!