Visions of Delight Cream Puffs

This is my Foodie Friday entry!  I haven't figured out how to get the tab on my website yet!

When I used to live closer to my sister Jackie, we would, on occasion, get together and bake something fabulous.  We would call them "Martha Stewart" days.  In memory of those days, my friend Jennifer and I got together to make her recipe of Cream Puffs.  They are really delicious.  I especially like her cream puff filling. Don't you just love the name of cream puff?  It screams of visions of delight!

The Puff Part:
1 cup water
1/2 cup butter
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup flour
4 eggs

In a saucepan boil the first three ingredients.  Then add the flour and stir the mixture until it leaves the sides of the saucepan.  Cool the mixture and add the eggs, one at a time, all the time beating vigorously (good arm work out!).  Put on a cookie sheet in small rounds or oblongs in desired size.  Bake in a 375 degree oven for 20 minutes or until very slightly brown and cooked through.  WARNING:  Baking times vary.  Check frequently.  Take out of oven and cool.

The Cream Part:
1 package softened cream cheese
1/2 cup sugar
1 box (3 ounce) of prepared French Vanilla pudding.  I prefer the cooked type.
1 cup whipping cream (whipped to consistency of whipped cream)

Add ingredients together and mix well.  Wait to fill the puffs until the chocolate frosting is ready.

The Chocolate Topping Part:
4-3/4 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1/2 cup softened butter
1/3 cup boiling water
1 teaspoon vanilla

You don't have to top the puffs with chocolate, but I prefer them with chocolate on top.  Mix powdered sugar and cocoa.  Add butter and vanilla to boiling water.  Beat with an electric mixer on low speed until combined.  Beat for 1 minute on medium speed.  Cool for 20 to 30 minutes or until mixture reaches spreading consistency.  In my experience, this is more than you need for one batch of puffs; you may want to half the recipe.

The Assembling Part:
Take puffs and cut in half (or almost cut in half leaving the backside still attached).  Fill with cream and top with chocolate topping.  Enjoy!