Experience the exquisite taste of classic eclairs, featuring a light and airy choux pastry filled with a rich vanilla cream and topped with a smooth chocolate glaze. This dessert combines a delicate crunch with creamy sweetness, offering a delightful treat for any occasion.
Why You'll Love This: These eclairs are the perfect balance of textures and flavors. The choux pastry provides a light, airy foundation, while the vanilla cream filling is luxuriously smooth and rich. Topped with a glossy chocolate glaze, each bite offers a harmonious blend of sweetness and texture. Ideal for impressing guests or indulging in a sophisticated dessert at home.
For Choux Pastry:
- Milk: 100g
- Water: 100g
- Sugar: 2 tsp
- Salt: A pinch
- Butter: 85g
- Flour: 130g
- Eggs: 4 medium (220g, room temperature)
For Vanilla Cream:
- Milk: 2 1/2 cups (550g)
- Sugar: 3/4 cup (150g)
- Egg yolks: 3 (60g)
- Cornstarch: 6 tbsp (54g)
- Butter: 4 tbsp (56g)
- Vanilla extract: 1 tbsp
- Whipped cream: 3/4 cup
For the Topping:
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips: 1 cup
- Coconut oil or butter: 1 tbsp
- Cocoa powder
Instructions:
- Choux Pastry:
- Preheat oven to 350F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a saucepan, heat milk, water, sugar, salt, and butter until boiling. Add flour, stir until combined. Cook on low heat, stirring.
- Cool slightly, then add eggs one at a time, mixing well.
- Pipe 3-4 inch eclairs on the baking sheet. Bake for 25-30 minutes. Let dry in the oven with door ajar for 15-25 minutes.
- Vanilla Cream:
- Mix egg yolks, cornstarch, and part of the milk.
- Heat remaining milk and sugar to boil. Gradually mix into egg mixture. Return to heat; cook until thick. Cool, then refrigerate.
- Beat cold pastry cream with vanilla, butter, and whipped cream until smooth.
- Assemble Eclairs:
- Make holes in eclairs. Pipe in vanilla cream.
- Melt chocolate with coconut oil. Dip eclairs in chocolate.
- Serve with coffee and enjoy!
Note: For a softer chocolate topping, use heavy whipping cream instead of butter or coconut oil. The chocolate will solidify upon cooling, offering a delightful texture contrast.