Chocolate Eclairs
Taste of Home
- try a FREE ISSUE today!
With creamy filling and fudgy frosting, these eclairs from Jessica Campbell of Viola, Wisconsin are extra special.
SERVINGS: 9
CATEGORY: Dessert
METHOD: Baked
TIME: Prep: 45 min. Bake: 35 min. + cooling
Ingredients:
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup butter, cubed
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 4 eggs
- FILLING:
- 2-1/2 cups cold milk
- 1 package (5.1 ounces) instant vanilla pudding mix
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- FROSTING:
- 2 squares (1 ounce each) semisweet chocolate
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1-1/4 cups confectioners' sugar
- 2 to 3 tablespoons hot water
Directions:
In a large saucepan, bring water and butter to a boil. Add flour all at once and stir until a smooth ball forms. Remove from the heat; let stand for 5 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Continue beating until mixture is smooth and shiny.
Using a tablespoon or a pastry tube with a No. 10 or large tip, form dough into 4-in. x 1-1/2-in. strips on a greased baking sheet. Bake at 400° for 35-40 minutes or until puffed and golden. Remove to a wire rack. Immediately split eclairs open; remove tops and set aside. Discard soft dough from inside. Cool eclairs.
In a large bowl, beat milk and pudding mix according to package directions. In another bowl, whip cream until soft peaks form. Beat in sugar and vanilla; fold into pudding. Split eclair; remove soft dough from inside. Fill eclairs (chill any remaining filling for another use).
For frosting, in a microwave, melt chocolate and butter; stir until smooth. Stir in sugar and enough hot water to achieve a smooth consistency. Cool slightly. Frost eclairs. Store in refrigerator. Yield: 9 servings.