Contents
Ingredient
Pastry
- 1 cup water
- 8 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 medium-sized eggs
Pastry Cream
- 2 cups 2% milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 6 egg yolks
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup corn starch
- 1 tablespoon butter
Chocolate Drizzle
- 1 bar dark chocolate or milk chocolate
How to Cook
If you’re a fan of eclairs but find yourself disappointed with the store-bought options, why not try making them at home? With a little practice and some helpful tips and tricks, you can create delicious and beautiful eclairs that are sure to impress. Here’s how to get started:
Start with the Dough
The key to making great eclairs is getting the dough right. To start, combine water, sugar, salt, and butter in a pot and bring it to a boil. Once the butter is melted, add flour and mix until the dough comes together in a ball. Let the mixture cool for a minute or two, then add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. The dough should be smooth and thick, but not too runny or too thick to pipe.
Pipe and Bake the Eclairs
Once you have your dough ready, it’s time to pipe and bake the eclairs. Use a piping bag with a star tip to pipe the dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving enough space between each one to allow for expansion. Bake at 425 degrees for 15 minutes, then lower the temperature to 375 degrees and bake for an additional 20 minutes, or until golden brown. Pierce a small hole in the bottom of each eclair to allow steam to escape and prevent them from getting too soggy.
Fill the Eclairs
After your eclairs have cooled, it’s time to fill them with your choice of filling. You can use whipped cream, pastry cream, or even chocolate ganache. To make a simple pastry cream, whisk together egg yolks, sugar, cornstarch, and milk in a pot and cook over medium heat until thickened. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract and butter. Let the pastry cream cool before using it to fill the eclairs.
Add the Finishing Touches
To finish your eclairs, you can dust them with powdered sugar or drizzle them with melted chocolate. You can also add chopped nuts, fruit, or other toppings to give them some extra flavor and texture. Serve your eclairs immediately, or store them in the refrigerator until you’re ready to enjoy them.
With these tips and tricks, you’ll be able to make perfect eclairs at home that are sure to impress. So why not give it a try and see how delicious homemade eclairs can be?
