A
profiterole ,
cream puff (US), or
choux à la crème is a
filled French
choux pastry ball with a typically sweet filling of
whipped cream,
pastry cream,
custard, or (particularly in the US)
ice cream. The puffs may be decorated or left plain or garnished with
chocolate sauce,
caramel, or a dusting of
powdered sugar. Savory profiterole are also made, filled with pureed meats, cheese, and so on. These were formerly common garnishes for soups.