Swan Cream Puffs

Grease a large cookie sheet. In a 2 quart saucepan, over medium heat, heat margarine, salt and one cup of water until it melts and boils. Remove from heat. Add flour, all at once with wooden spoon, beating vigorously until mixture forms a ball. Add eggs, one at a time, beating with wooden spoon after each addition. Preheat oven to 375. Spoon 1/2 cup batter into pastry bag with large writing tip. On greased cookie sheet, pipe 8 (3 inch long) “question marks” for swans neck, making a small dollop at the beginning of each head. Drop remaining batter, using a large spoon and pushing off with rubber spatula, onto cookie sheet into 8 large mounds, 3 inches apart. With moistened fingers, smooth batter to round mounds off. Bake 20 minutes until necks are golden. Remove just the necks to a wire rack to cool. Continue baking creme puffs 45-50 minutes longer until golden. Remove to wire racks to cool. Almond Creme Filling: Beat Rich’s whip until soft peaks form. Set aside. Prepare pudding mix with milk. Fold in whipped cream and almond extract. Cut off top third of cream puffs and set aside. Spoon some cream mixture into each puff (swan’s body). Cut reserved top pieces in half. Set into cream for wings. Place swans necks into cream. Refrigerate. On serving dish arrange swans in a pretty pattern. Dust confectionary sugar on top of each swan… Enjoy!!