Cream Puffs And Eclairs Recipe

Cooking Directions

• STEP 1.Preheat the oven and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• STEP 2.In a saucepan, bring water and butter to a boil. Add flour and stir until the mixture forms a ball.
• STEP 3.Transfer the dough to a mixing bowl and beat in eggs one at a time until smooth.
• STEP 4.Pipe or spoon the dough onto the prepared baking sheet, shaping them into small rounds or long strips for eclairs.
• STEP 5.Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown and puffed up. Let them cool completely.
• STEP 6.For the custard filling, heat milk in a saucepan until hot but not boiling. In a separate bowl, whisk together sugar, cornstarch, and egg yolks.
• STEP 7.Slowly pour the hot milk into the egg mixture, whisking constantly. Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook over medium heat until thickened.
• STEP 8.Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract or melted chocolate for chocolate custard.
• STEP 9.Cut the cooled pastries in half and fill them with the custard using a piping bag or spoon.
• STEP 10.Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with chocolate ganache for an extra touch of sweetness.
• STEP 11.Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve. Cream puffs and eclairs are best enjoyed fresh.

Cooking Tips

• Make sure to beat the eggs into the dough one at a time to ensure a smooth and airy texture.
• When piping the dough onto the baking sheet, leave enough space between each pastry to allow for expansion.
• To prevent the custard from forming a skin, place a piece of plastic wrap directly on the surface while it cools.
• For a glossy finish, brush the baked pastries with a sugar syrup before filling them with custard.
• If you don't have a piping bag, you can use a ziplock bag with the corner snipped off to fill the pastries.

Storage and Serving

• Cream puffs and eclairs are best served fresh, but they can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
• If refrigerated, allow the pastries to come to room temperature before serving to restore their crispness.
• You can also freeze the unfilled pastries for up to 1 month. Thaw them at room temperature before filling and serving.
• Serve cream puffs and eclairs as a delightful dessert or a sweet treat with a cup of coffee or tea.