How to Make Paris-Brest for Special Occasions

Make Choux Pastry
For the choux pastry, boil water, butter, sugar, and salt together. After that, take the pot off the heat and stir in the flour. Put it back on the stove and cook until you get a shiny paste, which should take around 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer this paste to another bowl and add eggs one by one, mixing well each time.

Shape and Bake
To shape the hearts, draw heart shapes on a piece of parchment paper, then flip the paper over. Pipe your choux pastry onto the heart shapes. Brush with egg wash and top with slices of almond. Bake at 400°F for 20-25 minutes until they turn golden. If there are white spots, lower the heat to 350°F to remove them. Once done, let them cool on the counter.

Create Pastry Cream
For the pastry cream, boil milk and vanilla. In another bowl, combine cornstarch, sugar, and an egg. Add some of the hot milk to this mixture and mix well. Put it back on the stove, bring it to a boil and keep whisking. Transfer to a bowl, mix in some butter, and let it chill in the fridge.

Make Mousseline
To make the mousseline, cream the butter until it's soft and without lumps. Add your choice of spread and beat until it's almost white. Switch to a whisk attachment and add room-temperature pastry cream. Mix until well blended.

Assemble
Now it's time for assembly. Cut the choux hearts in half. Use a piping bag to fill them with the mousseline. Dust the top with powdered sugar. Optionally, you can also add a small heart made of fondant or almond paste.

Decorate
Your heart-shaped choux pastries are ready to enjoy! Share them with loved ones or keep them for yourself. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container.