Wisconsin State Fair and a Cream Puff Recipe

It’s Time for the Wisconsin State Fair! The fair runs from Thurs. July 31- Sun. Aug. 10, 2014. The Wisconsin State Fair is held at State Fair Park in Milwaukee WI. Enjoy all the fun, food, music, rides and exhibits that the Wisconsin State Fair has to offer. I hate to admit this but I have never attended the Wisconsin State Fair. Nope, never……I know what your thinking and yes, I’m disgusted with myself too.

Need to Get to the State Fair

Next year, I’m going…no matter what, even if I have to go by myself!! I have got to get my hands on one of these Wisconsin State Fair Cream Puffs!  Fortunately for me, my daughter Mindy was going to the fair this year. That meant I could have her take some pictures for me. Mindy went with a couple of her girl friends and of course, my two precious grand-kids:)

Cream Puff Tradition

I asked her to take some pictures of the famous Wisconsin State Fair Cream Puff. She not only took some pictures for me, she brought me back a cream puff to try. They were absolutely delicious and out of this world! I can certainly see why the Cream Puff has become a Wisconsin State Fair Tradition, and why many people feel, “You haven’t been to the State Fair until you’ve had your Cream Puff!”

wisconsin state fair

 

wisconsin state fair

Wisconsin State Fair Cream Puffs

The Wisconsin State Fair and Cream Puffs are synonymous with each other. The Wisconsin Bakers Association has served cream puffs at the Wisconsin State Fair since 1924. The Wisconsin Bakers Association and the State of Wisconsin began their joint venture to operate a bakery using Wisconsin dairy products, in a kitchen, in full view, in front of hundreds of people. An “Open Kitchen” concept so to speak. This way people could observe how the cream puffs were made.

The Bakery and Cream Puffs

The bakery and cream puffs continued to grow over the years. The bakery has made a wide assortment of products and specialized products over the many years in operation but the cream puff emerged as the all-time favorite….and still is. Due to rationing and a shortage of whipping cream during World War II, the Dairy Bakery was closed in 1944, 1945, and 1946, the only years it has been closed. The Bakery re-opened in 1947 and the cream puff craze was born and is still going strong today.

Team Cream Puff

There is a special team with 200+ members called; “Team Cream Puff.” This team works around the clock during the days of the fair and the days leading up to the fair. Team Cream Puff works 24/11 to bring fair goers their much loved cream puffs. While your in line to pick up your cream puff order,  you can watch Team Cream Puff through a glass window making cream puffs. You can even get your cream puffs “to go.”You can sneak a bite or two on your drive home from the fair…if you can wait that long.
wisconsin state fair
wisconsin state fair

 

If you would like to make your own cream puffs, give this recipe a try.
wisconsin state fair

Cream Puffs

Cream Puffs reminiscent of Wisconsin State Fair Cream Puffs

Ingredients

  • 1 cup water
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup flour
  • 4 eggs
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • 1 egg yolk, lightly beaten
  • 2 cups cold heavy whipping cream
  • 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • additional confectioners' sugar for dusting

Instructions
 

  • In a large saucepan, bring the water, butter and salt to a boil over medium heat. Add the flour all at once and stir until a smooth ball forms. Remove from the heat and let stand for 5 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Continue beating until mixture is smooth and shiny.
  • Drop by 1/4 cupfuls, 3-inches apart onto greased baking sheets. Combine milk and egg yolk; brush over puffs. Bake at 400º for 30 to 35 minutes or until golden brown. Remove to wire rack. Immediately cut a small slit in each cream puff to allow steam to escape, cool.
  • In a large bowl, beat cream until it begins to thicken. Add sugar and vanilla extract; beat until almost stiff. Split each cream puff in half, discard soft dough from inside. Fill the cream puffs just before serving. Dust with confectioners' sugar.