Classic Eclairs

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Classic Eclairs are elegant French pastries filled with creamy custard and topped with a rich chocolate glaze. Light and airy choux pastry paired with smooth pastry cream makes every bite luxurious and satisfying. Perfect for special occasions or whenever you crave a sophisticated dessert.

ingredients

this Recipe

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the choux pastry:
waterunsalted butterall-purpose floursaltlarger eggs

For the pastry cream filling:
whole milkgranulated sugaregg yolkscornstarchunsalted buttervanilla extract

For the chocolate glaze:
semisweet chocolateheavy creamcorn syrup or butter (optional, for shine)

directions

Make the choux pastry:

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a saucepan, combine water, butter, and salt. Bring to a boil over medium heat.

Add flour all at once and stir vigorously until a smooth dough forms and pulls away from the sides of the pan.

Transfer dough to a bowl. Let it cool for a few minutes, then beat in eggs one at a time until the dough is smooth and glossy.

Spoon or pipe the dough into 4- to 5-inch long strips on the baking sheet.

Bake for 20 minutes, then reduce heat to 350°F (175°C) and bake another 10-15 minutes until golden and crisp.

Cool completely before filling.

Make the pastry cream:

In a saucepan, heat milk until just steaming.

In a bowl, whisk sugar, egg yolks, and cornstarch until pale.

Slowly whisk hot milk into the egg mixture, then return to the saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until thickened.

Remove from heat and stir in butter and vanilla. Cover with plastic wrap and chill until firm.

Assemble the eclairs:

Cut cooled eclairs in half lengthwise or make a slit on the side.

Pipe or spoon the chilled pastry cream into the center.

Make the chocolate glaze:

Heat cream until just simmering and pour over chopped chocolate.

Let sit for a minute, then stir until smooth. Add a bit of corn syrup or butter for extra shine if desired.

Dip the tops of the filled eclairs in the glaze or spoon it over them.

Let the glaze set before serving.

Servings and timing

This recipe yields approximately 10-12 eclairs.Preparation time: 30 minutesBaking time: 30-35 minutesCooling and assembling time: 1 hourTotal time: about 2 hours

Variations

Use coffee pastry cream or flavored whipped cream for the filling.

Top with white chocolate or caramel glaze instead of dark chocolate.

Add a sprinkle of chopped nuts or edible gold for decoration.

Make mini eclairs for bite-sized treats.

storage/reheating

Store assembled eclairs in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.Best enjoyed the day they’re made, as the pastry softens over time.Do not freeze filled eclairs. Unfilled choux shells can be frozen for up to 1 month and crisped in the oven before use.

FAQs

Why did my eclairs collapse?

They need to be fully baked and dried out—avoid opening the oven early.

Can I make them ahead of time?

Yes, bake the shells and make the cream in advance; assemble just before serving.

Do I need to use a piping bag?

It helps with uniform shape, but you can spoon the dough if needed.

What if I don’t have cornstarch?

Use flour as a thickener, but cornstarch gives a smoother pastry cream.

Can I make them gluten-free?

Yes, use a gluten-free flour blend suitable for baking.

Can I freeze pastry cream?

No, it doesn’t freeze well due to texture changes.

How do I keep the glaze from cracking?

Let the glaze cool slightly before dipping and avoid refrigeration right away.

Can I fill them with whipped cream?

Yes, sweetened whipped cream or chantilly cream is a lighter alternative.

What kind of chocolate is best?

Semisweet or bittersweet works well for a classic taste.

Can I add fruit?

Yes, thin slices of strawberry or banana pair nicely with the filling.

Conclusion

Classic Eclairs are the perfect combination of crisp pastry, luscious cream, and smooth chocolate. Though they look fancy, they’re completely doable at home and make an impressive treat for any occasion. Master this recipe once, and you’ll reach for it again and again whenever you need a show-stopping dessert.

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