Make ahead note:

Dessert can be completely made ahead and finished by putting chocolate on cream puffs at the very last minute. Puffs can be filled with ice cream and frozen. Allow them to soften a little bit before serving. Cannot be frozen if filled with whipped cream.

Ingredients:

For the puffs:
• 1 stick (4 ounces) unsalted butter, sliced
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 4 eggs - you may need a 5th egg
• Pinch of salt
Chocolate sauce:
• 7 oz semisweet chocolate cut into pieces
• 1/2 cup milk
• 4 Tbl unsalted butter

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees

Place the butter and the water in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Add the flour and the salt all at once and stir well. Return to the burner and continue to stir until the mixture forms a smooth mass. Remove from the heat.

One by one add the eggs. As you add each egg, beat the mixture vigorously. At the end, the dough should have a smooth shiny surface.

Drop by large tablespoons full on a cookie sheet that is covered with parchment. Leave two inches between each puff. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes. Puffs will be firm and golden. Cool, cut in half and fill with ice cream or whipped cream. Top with the sauce and serve.