Pâte à choux is a light pastry dough used in various French desserts. It is made from a mixture of water, butter, flour, and eggs, which creates a unique texture that puffs up when baked. This dough is versatile and can be used to make treats like éclairs, profiteroles, and choux cream. To prepare pâte à choux, the water and butter are heated until boiling, then flour is added and mixed until a smooth dough forms. Eggs are gradually incorporated to achieve the desired consistency. Once baked, the dough expands, creating a hollow center perfect for filling with creams or custards.