Feb 12th 2025
Perfect Chocolate Éclairs Recipe
There's nothing quite as satisfying as biting into a homemade chocolate éclair. This classic French pastry features a crisp choux shell filled with luscious chocolate pastry cream and topped with a rich chocolate glaze. Follow this easy-to-follow recipe to create bakery-quality éclairs in your own kitchen!
Choux Pastry
Makes approximately 10 éclairs
Equipment:
- Kitchen scale
- Mixing bowl
- Saucepan
- Spatula
- Sheet pan
- Knife
- Silicone baking mat
- Pastry bag
- Ateco #869 French pastry tip
Ingredients:
- 240 ml of water
-
90 g of butter (cut in small piece)
- 1 pinch of salt
- 10 g of sugar
- 150 g of flour
- 4 eggs
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a saucepan, combine water, butter, salt, and sugar. Bring to a boil.
- Remove from heat and immediately add the flour. Stir vigorously until the mixture forms a smooth dough.
- Return the saucepan to low heat and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring constantly to dry the dough slightly.
- Transfer the dough to a mixing bowl and let it cool slightly. Once it is warm but not hot, add the eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition until the dough is smooth and glossy.
- Fill a pastry bag fitted with a French star tip (#869) with the dough.
- Pipe the dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat, forming éclairs.
- Bake for approximately 40 minutes, without opening the oven, until golden brown and fully baked.
- Remove from the oven and cool completely on a wire rack.
- Once cooled, create two small holes in the bottom of each éclair using a pastry tip or knife.
- Fill a pastry bag with your desired filling and carefully pipe it into each éclair.
- If desired, glaze the éclairs with chocolate icing using a pastry brush.
- Your éclairs are now ready to enjoy!
Chocolate Glaze
For 8 éclairs
Equipment:
- Saucepan
- Whisk
- Pastry brush
Ingredients:
- 66 g chocolate
- 40 g heavy whipping cream
- 1 tsp sugar (3 g)
Instructions:
- Heat the heavy cream in a saucepan over medium heat until it begins to boil.
- Remove from heat and add the chocolate, stirring continuously until melted and smooth.
- Add the sugar and mix well.
- Let the glaze cool slightly to thicken to a spreadable consistency.
- Once your éclairs are filled with pastry cream, brush the tops with the chocolate glaze.
- Allow the glaze to set before serving.
- Enjoy your beautifully crafted and delicious chocolate éclairs!
Making homemade éclairs may seem like a challenge, but with this recipe, you'll be able to create a stunning and delicious dessert that will impress your family and friends. Give it a try and savor the magic of classic French pastry!