Chocolate Eclairs is one of the most famous and delicious desserts ever created. And I'm going to help you make this classic French treat at home. The process takes a bit of time but the reward is well worth the effort. The pastry shell is known in the culinary world as Pate a Choux and is slightly technical but my recipe has never let me down so far. You end up with a light and airy pastry shell that can be filled with a variety of delicious fillings.
Pate a Choux Pastry
Ingredients
1 cup water
1 stick unsalted butter
1 cup all purpose flour
1/4 tsp salt
4 large eggs
Instructions
In a medium sauce pot combine water and butter. Bring to a boil until butter is completely melted. Add flour and salt and whisk vigorously until no lumps remain and the batter pulls away from the sides of the pot. Remove from pot and place in a separate bowl. Stir for one minute to cool slightly. Whisk in the first egg and mix until the egg is fully incorporated into the batter. continue whisking in the remaining eggs, one at a time. Place dough in a pastry bag (you can also use ziplock bag) with a large tip, either plain or scalloped. Pipe long fat lengths of dough on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving 1 inch of space between them. Bake in a preheated 400 degree oven for 20 to 30 minutes or until they are golden brown.
Custard Filling
Ingredients
3/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup flour
2 cups milk
3 egg yolks
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 tbsp unsalted butter
pinch of salt
Instructions
Add sugar, flour and salt to a medium sauce pot. Pour in milk and whisk until flour is completely incorporated with no lumps. Cook on medium heat until mixture comes to a boil and thickens. Turn off the heat and add one tablespoon at a time of the mixture into the egg yolks until you have around one cup. Pour the egg mixture back into the flour, sugar, and milk. Turn heat back on and cook for a couple of minutes until thick and bubbly. Turn off the heat and add vanilla and butter. Cool completely before filling eclairs.
Chocolate Ganach
Ingredients
3.5 oz. bar of dark dipping chocolate
1/4 cup heavy cream
Instructions
Break the chocolate bar into pieces and place in bowl. Heat cream in microwave and pour over chocolate. Allow to sit for a couple of minutes and stir until all the chocolate is melted.
For a video tutorial visit my YouTube channel.