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Traditional French Éclairs

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Traditional French Éclairs are elegant choux pastry desserts filled with silky vanilla pastry cream and topped with glossy chocolate ganache. Light, airy, and creamy, they deliver a perfect bakery-style treat with crisp shells and rich filling.

  • Author: Sophia
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
  • Yield: 12 éclairs
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: French
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 4 large eggs
  • 2 cups milk (for pastry cream)
  • 4 egg yolks
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 4 oz dark chocolate
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking tray.
  2. Heat water, milk, butter, and salt until boiling.
  3. Stir in flour and cook until dough forms a ball.
  4. Cool slightly, then mix in eggs one at a time until smooth.
  5. Pipe into logs and bake 30–35 minutes until golden.
  6. Heat milk for pastry cream.
  7. Whisk egg yolks, sugar, and cornstarch, then temper with milk.
  8. Cook until thick, then add vanilla and cool.
  9. Fill cooled éclairs with pastry cream.
  10. Make ganache with hot cream and chocolate, then dip tops of éclairs.

Notes

  • Do not open oven while baking or éclairs may collapse.
  • Dough should be glossy and pipeable before baking.
  • Cook pastry cream until fully thickened to avoid runny filling.
  • Let shells cool completely before filling.
  • Best enjoyed fresh for crisp texture.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://savorymomskitchen.com/traditional-french-eclairs/