Chocolate Cinnamon Chouquettes

I wanted to make something round and French to celebrate the last weekend of the Tour de France.

Ingredients:

Pie crust:

• 1 stick butter (113 grams), cut into 8 or so pieces
• 1 cup water (240 ml)
  
• 1 tablespoon sugar
  
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  
• 1 cup flour (135 grams)
  
• 4 large eggs
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips (optional)
  

Topping:

• 3 ounces semi-sweer chocolate (I used chocolate chips)
  
• 1teaspoon canola oil
• 1/2 teaspoon Karo syrup (optional, for more shine)
  

Instructions:

1. Heat the oven to 425 F. Line two half baking sheets with parchment of SIlpat mats.
   (You will drop the temperature later.)
2. Heat butter, water, milk, sugar, salt and cinnamon in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium high heat.
3.  Reduce the heat to medium low, and stir in the flour vigorously with a wooden spoon until it forms into a thick paste. Continue to stir and cook 3 to 4 minutes, it should pull away from the sides of the pan.
4. Scoop the flour mixture in a stand mixer bowl and allow to cool about 2 minutes.
5. One at a time, beat in the eggs until each is well incorporated.
   (You will now have a thick shiny dough.)
6. Using small cookie scoop, drop the dough onto parchment paper on a baking sheet about an inch apart. 
7. Optionally - stuff a few chocolate chips into some of the puffs.  (The chips should be inside the dough, so they don't burn.)
   
8. Optionally - sprinkle with sugar before baking. (Unless you are coating with a chocolate glaze)
   
9. Put the baking sheet in the oven and cook for 10 minutes.
10. Turn the oven down to 375 F.
11. Bake another 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown.
12.  If you want to make them crispier, you can poke a hole in the side with a knife after you take them out of the oven to let the steam escape.)
    
    
    
    
13. Cool on baking rack until room temperature.
    (You can also make them ahead and reheat them in a 350 F for a few minutes - but they are best the first day.)

Carole's Notes:

We like these! It makes about 30 puffs. 

Here's the interior view:

Recipe is lightly adapted from https://www.davidlebovitz.com/les-chouquettes/ and  One-Bite Cinnamon Puffs from Baking with Dorie.