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Homemade Eclairs

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These homemade eclairs are crisp, golden pastries filled with silky vanilla pastry cream and topped with a decadent chocolate glaze. Perfect for dessert or special occasions, this classic French eclair recipe is surprisingly approachable, delivering bakery-quality results from your own kitchen.

Ingredients

  • For the choux pastry:
  • 1 cup water
  • ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 4 large eggs
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • For the pastry cream:
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 4 large egg yolks
  • ¼ cup cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
  • For the chocolate glaze:
  • 4 oz semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

Instructions

  1. In a saucepan, combine water, butter, and salt. Bring to a boil.
  2. Add flour all at once, stirring until the mixture forms a ball and pulls away from the pan.
  3. Let cool slightly, then beat in eggs one at a time until dough is smooth and glossy.
  4. Pipe 4- to 5-inch strips onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  5. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20–25 minutes, or until puffed and golden brown. Cool completely.
  6. For pastry cream, heat milk in a saucepan. In a bowl, whisk egg yolks, sugar, and cornstarch.
  7. Temper the eggs by slowly pouring in hot milk, then return to the saucepan. Cook until thickened.
  8. Stir in butter and vanilla. Chill until firm.
  9. Fill cooled eclairs with pastry cream (slice or pipe into center).
  10. Make glaze by melting chocolate with cream and butter. Dip tops of eclairs.
  11. Let glaze set before serving or chilling.

Notes

  • Ensure the choux pastry is fully baked to prevent collapsing.
  • Pastry cream can be made a day ahead and stored chilled.
  • Fill just before serving for best texture.
  • Variations include flavored creams (coffee, chocolate) or different glazes (white chocolate, dusted sugar).
  • Use a zip-top bag as a piping substitute if needed.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookedbymaya.com/homemade-eclairs/