Heart’s Delight Eclair

Total Time

Prep: 30 min. + chilling Bake: 15 min. + cooling

Makes

12 servings

Updated: Apr. 25, 2023
This lovely and luscious treat is rumored to have been the favorite dessert of European royalty long ago. I know that it's won the hearts of everyone I've ever made it for. Enjoy! —Lorene Milligan, Chemainus, British Columbia
Heart's Delight Eclair Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Ingredients

  • 1 package (17.3 ounces) frozen puff pastry, thawed
  • 3 cups cold 2% milk
  • 1 package (5.1 ounces) instant vanilla pudding mix
  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, divided
  • 1 cup confectioners' sugar
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
  • 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
  • 1 teaspoon shortening

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°. Cut an 11-in. heart-shaped pattern out of parchment or waxed paper.
  2. On a lightly floured surface, roll each pastry sheet into a 12-in. square. Using pattern and a sharp knife, cut a heart from each sheet; place on greased baking sheets. Bake until golden brown, 12-15 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool completely.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk milk and pudding mix for 2 minutes. Let stand until soft-set, about 5 minutes. In another bowl, beat cream and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla until stiff peaks form; lightly fold into pudding.
  4. Split each pastry heart into 2 layers; reserve 1 of the top layers. Place 1 of the remaining layers on a serving plate; spread with a third of the pudding mixture. Repeat twice; top with reserved layer.
  5. Mix confectioners' sugar, water, almond extract and remaining vanilla until smooth; spread over top pastry.
  6. In a microwave, melt chocolate chips and shortening; stir until smooth. Pipe or drizzle over top as desired. Refrigerate until set.

Nutrition Facts

1 piece: 488 calories, 29g fat (14g saturated fat), 50mg cholesterol, 252mg sodium, 53g carbohydrate (27g sugars, 3g fiber), 6g protein.