To make the puffs: In a large saucepan, combine the water, milk, butter, and salt. Bring to a boil over medium heat. When the mixture is boiling, add the flour all at once and stir vigorously with a wooden spoon until the mixture pulls away from the sides of the pan. Continue to cook and stir the mixture for about 1 minute to eliminate excess moisture. Take off the heat. At this point, the dough mostly comes together and rolls away from the sides of the pan when stirred.
Transfer to the bowl of an electric stand mixer and let cool for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to allow the steam to come out. Set the mixer to medium speed, and beat the eggs in one at a time, making sure each egg is well incorporated before adding the next. Also scrape the bowl down between each egg addition. Every time you add an egg, the dough will separate and look like a curdled mess, but it will then come back together in a really sticky, yet somewhat crumbly way. The dough will keep on getting smoother as you add more eggs. The dough is done when it is smooth and elastic, not dry. It will be very thick and sticky.
Position a rack in the lower third of the oven. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
Line large baking sheet with parchment paper. Using a 1.5 tbsp (22 ml) cookie or ice cream scoop, create mounds of dough on the parchment paper-lined baking sheet, spacing them 3 inches (7 cm). Using damp fingertips, press down any peaks of dough to create round puffs.
Bake the puffs for 15 minutes in the preheated 400°F (200°C) oven. Reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C), and bake until golden brown and very firm to the touch, about 35 minutes more. Take the baking sheet out of the oven and immediately remove the puffs to a rack to let cool completely. (You can freeze the baked puffs at this stage; see instructions below.)
To make the cream filling: Pour the whipping cream in a large mixing bowl. Whip to stiff peaks. Using a spatula, gently fold in the jam. Transfer to a piping bag fitted with a small round tip, or transfer to a large zip lock bag and seal, remove any excess air from the bag before you do.
To make the glaze: In a small bowl, whisk the powdered sugar and passion fruit seeds until the seeds release their juice and the sugar melts into it. The glaze should be pretty stiff—it will soften as it sits.
To assemble the Abricot, Peach, and Passion Fruit Cream Puffs: Cut off the top third of the puffs horizontally with a serrated knife to create lids. If you transferred the whipped cream and jam filling to a zip lock bag, cut off one corner of the bag, then push the cream down toward the tip. Using either your prepared piping bag, or make-shift zip lock one, generously pipe cream filling into each puff. Replace the lids. Spoon some of the glaze over the lids so it drips around the choux. Let the glaze set for 5 minutes, then decorate with fresh apricot and peach dice.
Cream puffs are best enjoyed the day they are made.
FREEZING TIPS
Baked, unfilled puffs can be frozen. Let the puffs cool completely to room temperature--this is super important--then transfer to an airtight container. I don't advise storing puffs in a ziplock bag, because puffs are quite delicate, so a container will protect them better. Refrigerate until cold, then transfer to the freezer. The puffs will keep frozen for up to 1 month.
To defrost: Take however many puffs you need out of the freezer and set them on a wire rack to defrost at room temperature for 15 minutes. You can use them straight away, but if you want to return the puffs to their lightly crisp, freshly baked state, preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C). Place the puffs on a baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes. Remove to a wire rack and let cool completely. Fill as desired.
Recipe Credit: Marie Asselin, FoodNouveau.com
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