Crisp bites of pastry filled with sweet whipped cream topped with dark chocolate make these red velvet profiteroles with dark chocolate glaze an irresistible dessert. And they’re easier to make than you’d think!
Oh em gee you GUYS! Can you believe Valentine’s Day is almost here?
And can you believe how often I talk about time flying? Seeeeriously, I feel like every week I ask you where the heck time is going!
Since we’re coming up on the most red and pink holiday around, a fun and festive RED VELVET dessert is in order!
Enter these red velvet profiteroles with dark chocolate glaze. They’re cute, they’re pretty quick to whip up, and, oh hey, they’re little bites of deliciousness!
Choux pastry, the pastry used to make profiteroles and eclairs, is so much easier to make than you’d think. You just cook the butter, flour, and some liquid together in a pan, then throw it in the food processor and drizzle some eggs in. Then pipe, bake, fill, and devour.
(Above is what the pastry will look like before the eggs and after them. Sorry for how tiny they are–I’m having computer issues. AGAIN!)
While they require a decent amount of time in the oven, the hands-on time to make profiteroles is pretty minimal.
In fact, the day I made these I also mopped the entire downstairs, did a load of laundry, and still had time to order myself a Valentine’s Day gift from Cookie. (Spoiler alert: it’s a cookbook. She would have ordered it herself but her lack of opposable thumbs and the fact that no one will give a dog a credit card make it difficult.)
Side note: that is NOT a normal day in my life; usually I’m lucky to find the time and energy to brush my hair in the morning, much less clean and bake up an extra-festive and holiday-worthy dessert.
You have all kinds of filling options with these profiteroles—you could use ice cream or pastry cream in place of the whipped cream I used. Customize them to your taste!
If you’re not into food dye, just leave the red food coloring out of the filling. You can also leave out the cocoa powder; adding cocoa powder to food you’re going to dye red allows you to use less food coloring and still achieve a deep color.
Red velvet profiteroles with dark chocolate glaze are sure to make anyone’s day a little happier, whether it’s Valentine’s Day or just a regular Monday 🙂
Red velvet profiteroles make a fun dessert for Valentine's Day or any day of the year!
- 2 large eggs + 1 large egg white
- 6 tablespoons water
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter cut into 10 chunks
- 2 tablespoons whole milk
- 1 1/2 teaspoons granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour sifted
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
- red gel food coloring
- 3 ounces dark chocolate finely chopped
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon light corn syrup
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
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Set up a food processor next to the stove.
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Place the eggs and egg white in a glass measuring cup and beat with a fork to combine.
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Place the water, butter, milk, sugar, and salt in a small saucepan set over medium heat and bring mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon. Remove from the heat and stir in the flour to combine; continue stirring with the wooden spoon until mixture comes together and clears the sides of the pan. Set pan over low heat and cook mixture, stirring constantly, until mixture is shiny and beads of fat appear in the bottom of the pan. (This will take about 3 minutes.)
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Quickly transfer the mixture to the food processor and process for 10 seconds to cool a bit. With processor running, slowly pour the beaten eggs through the feed tube in a steady stream. Stop processor, scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl, then process for 30 seconds more.
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Preheat the oven to 425 degrees and adjust a rack to the middle position. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set pan aside.
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Fit a pastry bag with a 1/2-inch round tip and fill the bag with the pastry. Pipe into about 18 (1 1/2-inch) mounds on the parchment, spacing about 1 inch apart. Use your finger or a teaspoon dipped in water to smooth the tops of the mounds.
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Bake for 15 minutes at 425, then turn oven down to 375 and bake 8 to 10 minutes more, until puffs are golden. (Don’t open the oven door during this process.)
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Remove puffs from the oven and turn the oven off. Use a small, sharp knife to cut a 3/4-inch slit into the side of each of the puffs, then return them to the oven, propping the oven door open slightly. Let the puffs dry out in the cooling oven for 45 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. (At this point you can freeze the puffs in a zip-top bag for up to 1 month; heat them in a 300-degree oven for 10 minutes before serving.)
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Beat heavy cream in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment until it thickens. Add the powdered sugar and cocoa powder and beat until it forms stiff peaks. Mix in food coloring to achieve desired color.
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Place the chocolate in a heat-proof mixing bowl and combine remaining ingredients in a small saucepan set over medium heat. Heat the mixture, stirring occasionally, until the cream just begins to steam. Pour over the chocolate and let sit 5 minutes, then whisk until chocolate melts and the mixture is smooth.
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Just before serving, split the puffs in half. Spoon or pipe the filling into the bottoms of the puffs, then top with the other half. Spoon the glaze over the tops, then serve.
Shells and glaze adapted from Cook’s Illustrated
Ahhh you are a genius !!! Thank you…Another awesome idea to make for my hubby. Your little red velvet profiteroles look so cute. (Hope Cookie will enjoy one)
I have been wanting to make Chocolate Eclairs now for ages…this is just the boost I needed. 🙂 x
Thank you, Lynne! They’re so simple and you’ll feel so professional!
Kelsie, these profiteroles are absoulutely beautiful. The filling makes it look so stunning and that chocolate glaze so yum!
I have never made choux pastry before, honestly I thought it was too difficult, but I think that you convinced me to give it a try…would love to make these:)
Have a great week 🙂
Thank you, Ashika! It’s so not difficult. You won’t believe it when you try!
Mmmm….it’s yummy. Can’t wait to give it a try. 🙂
Thank you, Puja!
Profiteroles are such a delicious bite-sized treat! Love the festive red filling and the dark chocolate glaze is a great choice! It’s only breakfast time here, but I’m totally craving one of these right now! Have a great Valentine’s Day Kelsie!
Thank you, Leanne! I think these would make a totally suitable breakfast 🙂
Wait. You’re telling me Cookie got turned down for a credit card!? I should just save some of the piles of credit card ads that show up in our junk mail. I bet one of those companies would give her a credit card! Then we could tackle the opposable thumbs thing. As far as these profiteroles, excellente! I love the look. I also love making pate a choux. It sounds fancy and looks fancy…and it’s silly easy to make. I might need a batch of these (and a glass of wine) to celebrate V-Day this year!
YES! I was like I’ll co-sign if necessary and they were all um no. Thank you, David! Profiteroles and wine sound like a perfect Valentine’s treat!
I remember the first time I made choux pastry successfully….it was a proud moment! I love these profiteroles! So pretty and just perfect for the season!
I know that feeling! Thank you, Annie!
The sound of profiteroles freak me out! But you make it look easy, Kelsie! And that bright red filling! So fitting for Valentine’s Day! Once again, perfection! Have a wonderful week, my friend 🙂
Dawn, they’re way easier than you’d think. Thank you, girlie! You too!
Wow! If those aren’t sexy, I don’t know what is!!?? LOVE it!!
Thank you, Kim!
Can you believe I’ve never had profiteroles? So of course you have to take it to the next level with these Red Velvet ones, I’m officially drooling. Dark chocolate is my JAM! I watch a ton of cooking shows and they always mess up on the Profiterole batter, I think it’s because it’s so simple, but as soon as you hear someone is making profiteroles you know they are going down in flames lol. Have a great week Kelsie
You need to run to a bakery and get yourself one! Or just make them yourself because it really is simple. Thank you, Mary!
wow! Just wow! Stunning and you make it sound so easy!
Thank you, Patrick!
Okay, so I have a confession. Every time I see profiteroles I think of culinary school… specifically the baking class and how much I despised the head chef of that class. 😉 Generally it doesn’t give me the warm and fuzzies. Lol! But, THESE beauties may be changing all that, because they are just gorgeous and definitely making my eyes bug out of my head! SWOON! Just perfect for Valentine’s Day, my dear! Cheers!
Oh noooo! I’m sorry for the negative connotations :). Thank you, Chey! Have a great week!
These profiteroles look stunning with the red filling! When I was little I could copious amounts of eclairs in a week. Haven’t had anything made with choux pastry in forever, so tempted by your creations, Kelsie!
Thank you, Milena! Have a wonderful week, my friend!
Kelsie – I just love profiteroles. I remember the first time I had them, thinking, “WHERE have these been all my life?” These look scrumptious! I love the red velvet filling idea! And, truly, everything is better with dark chocolate sauce, isn’t it? Thanks for the recipe!
Haha! Thank you, Laura! And yes, dark chocolate sauce makes everything so much better!
Totally LOVE these Kelsie! So romantic for Valentin’es Day! They’re absolutely dreamy!
Thank you, Mary Ann!
oh my gosh these look SO good! I’ve always been so scared to make choux pastry, but I really don’t think it’s as hard as I imagine it would be! these looks like such a great dessert, not just for Valentine’s Day!
Thank you, Georgie! It’s really not hard at all!
Cookie is such a good girl…and so thoughtful too!! These profiteroles are too cute, and I know there is no way I can stop at just one!! Have a great Valentine’s Day, and enjoy your new cookbook!
Haha! Thank you, Thao! She really is :). Hope your Valentine’s Day was fabulous!
You’ve totally convinced me to give choux pastry a go!! It always looked too fancy for me – but you make it sound easy! And yours are gorgeous! I love that red contrast with the chocolate – SO pretty. Happy Valentine’s Day, my friend! XO
DO IT! You won’t believe how easy it is. Thank you, Katherine!
These profiteroles are so beautiful Kelsie! love the idea of using red velvet whipped cream for that pretty color! I have always been afraid of choux pastry..but your detailed recipe can be a great help for sure!
Thank you, Deepika! You will have no trouble with choux pastry, I know it!
I haven’t made cream puffs since high school Home ec class (yes I’m that old that we had Home economics in HS). Now I’m dying to try making choux again! Your red velvet filling looks heavenly Kelsie!! So perfect for Valentine’s Day!! 🙂
Haha! Thanks so much, Kelly!
It’s been a long long time since I make profiteroles! You got me tempted there. Looks so perfectly airy.
Thank you, Kankana!
I can’t believe Valentine’s Day is tomorrow. These easy, delicious-looking profiteroles might be my saving grace since I totally forgot to bake something for my fiance this year. Whoops. I follow a gluten-free diet, so I may try making these with gluten-free baking flour. I’ll let you know how it turns out! 🙂
Thank you, Alyssa! Definitely let me know!
I cannot believe this either, Kelsie! Nope, I’m not talking about Valentine’s day (Although the fact that the half of February has passed surprised me a bit too). I’m talking about these profiteroles cause someone might (or might not) have had the similar idea. No names, just hinting 😉 Those bad guys are gorgeous – perfect for a little celebration.
Haha! We’re total post twins and I love it! Thank you, Ben!
Happy Valentines day Kelsie:) These profiteroles are way too adorable – perfect for all occasions, showers, cocktail parties…. The pop of red in the middle with that dripping chocolate glaze is such a droolworthy dessert, YUM!!!
Thank you, Maria! Happy almost-Friday!
I’ve made plenty of choux pastry, but never ever thought to use the food processor! Usually I just beat the eggs in one at a time. Or sometimes I’ll use a stand mixer. Genius! Gotta try that. And gotta try this recipe, too. Gorgeous stuff! Tasty too, I’ll bet. 🙂 Thanks!
OMG try the food processor! It’s so easy! Have a great weekend!
Oh dear ! Sooooooo beautiful….. Thank you for sharing !
Thank you!
OMG they look so delicious – would love to have them as a regular treat not just on Valentine’s Day 🙂 Pinned!
Thank you, Miriam! Have a great weekend!
These sound awesome Kelsie! Also love the profiterole shells are backed- not fried. I’ve made bigne once but fired them. Definitely need to try baking them next time 🙂
Thank you, Pina!
Your profiteroles turned out beautifully! I’d never considered a red velvet filling but it looks festive and delicious!
Thank you, Marissa!
I missed this post in time for VDay but you best believe I don’t need a holiday to make these tasty babies! All I need is your recipe and my mouth. Yumm, things just got a little weird #sorrynotsorry 🙂
Seriously, these look incredible, awesome job 🙂
Totally agree! Profiteroles work any time! Thank you, Christina!
i’ve NEVER made profiteroles, but i feel like they’re done on every cooking show i ever watch. yours are perfect and quite appropriate for the “holiday.” 🙂
Thank you Grace!
My mom made cream puffs a lot when we were growing up, but yuu’ve kicked these up a few delicious notches for Valentine’s Day! These are gorgeous!!
Thank you, Liz!
I have yet to have success in making profiteroles, it’s crazy! Mine come out of the oven looking like crap all the time. But yours look so mouthwatering, Kelsie! Hope your valentines day is as sweet and nice as your pastries. <3
Thank you, Teesh!
I know I’m late to the Valentines party but these sure look deliciously festive! I haven’t made eclairs but have done a ton of cream puffs, would you say their kind of similar as far as making them goes?
I love the filling and chocolate glaze, these just have great contrast in colors that look like they will taste as good as they look. Pinning for next year!
It’s the same pastry! Thank you!
I haven’t made profiteroles in ages! Also, I have not tried them in the food processor. This recipe seems approachable – I’m just sorry I didn’t see it before Valentine’s Day!
The food processor makes things so easy! Thank you!
Cream puffs are my favorite an these are just beautiful!
Thank you, Lisa!
Would you believe I’ve never tried a profiteroles, let alone make them? Crazy talk, I know! I need to change that pronto, especially after seeing these beauties! Just gorgeous my friend, I think this was the most beautiful Valentine’s day treat I saw in IG Land…so colourful and festive. I’ve had cream puffs and eclairs which look similar, but these look really delicious too. I’ve been thinking about trying choux pastry some time, well a GF version of it, so these would be a great first try. Thanks for sharing your recipe, I’m still drooling at your photos 😀 That’s so sweet that Cookie bought you a cookbook for VD, even if she couldn’t pay for it herself….and anything you make are for her haha Smart little dog!! It’s probably a good thing they don’t give dogs credit cards, they’d probably buy out the whole store (of food and treats–of course…One track mind haha)
Hope you had a lovely Valentines Day, girl! xo
OMG you need to make yourself some profiteroles! I guarantee you’ll love them! I can just imagine Cookie and Mittan on a shopping spree haha! Dog treats for everyone! Hope you had a lovely one too, my dear!