Chocolate Eclairs

Name: Chocolate Eclairs
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 1 h 20 min
Yield: 9 servings.
Ingredients: 1 cup water; 1/2 cup butter, cubed; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1 cup all-purpose flour; 4 large 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 ounces semisweet chocolate; 2 tablespoons butter; 1-1/4 cups confectioners' sugar; 2 to 3 tablespoons hot water

With creamy filling and fudgy frosting, this chocolate eclair recipe is extra special. —Jessica Campbell, Viola, Wisconsin

Ingredients

1 cup water
1/2 cup butter, cubed
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup all-purpose flour
4 large 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 ounces semisweet chocolate
2 tablespoons butter
1-1/4 cups confectioners' sugar
2 to 3 tablespoons hot water

Directions

Preheat oven to 400°. In a large saucepan, bring water, butter and salt to a boil. Add flour all at once and stir until a smooth ball forms. Remove from heat; let stand 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 4x1-1/2-in. strips on a greased baking sheet. Bake 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. 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.

Nutrition Facts

1 each: 483 calories, 28g fat (17g saturated fat), 174mg cholesterol, 492mg sodium, 52g carbohydrate (37g sugars, 1g fiber), 7g protein.

Originally published as Chocolate Eclairs in Taste of Home June/July 1996

Reviews

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Average Rating:

kabusch

Aug 16, 2016

Normally I really trust Taste of Home, but this recipe was horrible. I've made eclair a before (different recipe) and they turned out perfect, so I don't think it is a problem with the dough, although it didn't rise enough. Scooping out the egg-y middle removes a wonderful, rich custard-y flavor that happens when it combines with the cream filling. The filling yielded at least double what I needed and while the pudding and whipped cream were both fine on their own, together they lost all flavor and needed a massive vanilla injection. At that point I lost all confidence in this recipie- I've never made any kind of chocolate frosting with water and I don't trust that it will turn out since the first two components didn't . I wish I'd know it would make too much filling because I could have saved a few tablespoons of the cream and made a simple and elegant ganache.
sstetzel

Jul 25, 2016

Hi Anne Oakes!You have to be sure to really beat this dough thoroughly after each egg. Doing so helps to ensure the finished product will rise properly.
Anne Oakes

Jul 22, 2016

This was my first time working with pate a choux, and I feel like this recipe is not built for beginners. We followed the dough recipe exactly, and the eclairs did not rise.
jramer1947

Dec 22, 2015

Everyone LOVES these eclairs
cookiebaker97

Jul 24, 2015

"Its like biting into a cloud!", they said. These are so light and fluffy and wonderful, and easy to make!
A13

Feb 21, 2015

Excellent! These always get positive reviews. I would recommend that you be sparing with the shell when you put it on the baking sheet as the dough will expand enormously in the oven. These are just fabulous!
Running_Chickie

Feb 14, 2015

I made these for my husband on Valentine's Day. They taste great and are really easy to make! Thanks for the recipe. I will make them again and again!
akiddrn

May 10, 2011

I made these after seeing them made at a Taste of Home Cooking show. It was alot easier than I thought it would be to make and my husband has been nagging me to make them again! I didn't split them but poked a hole in the end and squirted the filling in. I used a ziplock bag to squirt out the dough to back and another one to fill the eclairs after they baked. I didn't put a pastry tip or anything on the bag either.
mandy0126

Feb 24, 2010

These are absolutely delicious. It's a lot easier than I thought it would be and they always turn out perfect.
carolynstowers

Jan 16, 2010

The Eclairs was very good. The only adjustment I made was to cut a small slit in the top and placed back into the over at 250 degree for an addition 10 minutes to dry the inside out.