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–+ servings
chocolate eclairs

Classic Homemade Chocolate Eclairs

5 from 1 vote
A foolproof recipe for crisp, airy choux pastry shells filled with a rich vanilla pastry cream and topped with a glossy chocolate glaze.
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Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 12 pastries
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: French
Calories: 285
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

  • ½ cup water For the choux pastry
  • ½ cup whole milk For the choux pastry
  • ½ cup unsalted butter Cut into small cubes
  • 1 cup bread flour Provides strong structure
  • 4 large eggs Room temperature
  • 2 cups whole milk For the pastry cream
  • 4 large egg yolks For the pastry cream
  • ⅓ cup cornstarch Thickens the custard
  • ½ cup granulated sugar For the pastry cream
  • 4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate Finely chopped for the glaze
  • ½ cup heavy cream For the chocolate glaze

Equipment

  • 1 stand mixer For mixing the dough
  • 1 pastry bag For piping the shells
  • 1 large star tip Creates ridges for even expansion
  • 1 Saucepan For cooking the dough and custard
  • 1 Baking sheet For baking the pastries

Method
 

  1. Combine water, milk, and butter in a saucepan and bring to a rolling boil.
    boiling water milk and butter for choux pastry
  2. Add the flour all at once and stir vigorously until a cohesive dough forms.
  3. Transfer dough to a mixer and beat in the eggs one at a time until glossy.
  4. Pipe the dough into 4-inch logs on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
    piping eclair dough onto baking sheet
  5. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes, then lower to 350 degrees and bake until golden brown.
    freshly baked golden eclair shells
  6. Whisk egg yolks, sugar, and cornstarch. Temper with hot milk and cook on the stove until thick to make the pastry cream.
  7. Pierce the cooled shells and pipe the chilled vanilla pastry cream inside.
  8. Melt the chocolate with hot heavy cream. Dip the tops of the filled pastries into the glaze.

Nutrition

Serving: 95gCalories: 285kcalCarbohydrates: 24gProtein: 6gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 145mgSodium: 120mgPotassium: 110mgFiber: 1gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 550IUCalcium: 75mgIron: 1mg

Notes

Keep assembled pastries in the refrigerator and consume within 3 days for the best texture. Do not open the oven door while the shells are baking.

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