Croquembouche (Cream Puff Tower)

This is an easy way to make an impressive dessert called a croquembouche.  It makes a great centerpiece for a holiday buffet.  Traditionally, it is a tower of cream puffs held together by caramel and decorated with spun sugar.  Because most home cooks do not have access to the croquembouche mold that chefs use , and spun sugar is a task requiring another Instructable, I will show you how to make an easy version, using craft supplies, store-bought cream puffs, and chocolate ganache.  Enjoy!

Materials needed:
1 styrofoam cone - 3 7/8" x 14 7/8" (purchased at Michael's)
Decorative plate ( I used one 13" in diameter, purchased at Dollar Tree)
Parchment paper
Hot glue gun
1 46.6 oz. container cream puffs (90 cream puffs, purchased at Costco)
8 oz. good quality semi-sweet chocolate
1 cup heavy whipping cream
Toothpicks
Confectioners sugar for garnish
Small strainer/sifter

Step 1 Assemble the base

Cover the cone with parchment paper, securing with hot glue.  Trim the excess so that the base is flat.  Secure the cone to the plate using hot glue.

I was able to remove the cone and the hot glue after the project, and it did not ruin my plate, but care should be taken when choosing the plate you use, just in case.

Comments

[Penolopy Bulnick]

This is the best tower I have ever seen! I wanted this for my wedding! I didn't have a tower, but I had piles of Croquembouche. Didn't look as fancy as yours though :)

[jprice12]

Thank you - it was really easy. Hopefully, my Instructable will inspire you to try it!

[jprice12]

Thanks for the nice comments - it was really easy to make and delicious too!

[lovelace711]

Looks super yummy! And what a great centerpiece for a holiday party!

[scoochmaroo]

I just saw one of these somewhere online for the first time.  Looks great and simple!