Chocolate eclairs are one of those things that make my mouth salivate as I gaze longing at them through the glass of the bakery case. That light, airy dough filled with creamy vanilla custard and topped with rich chocolate. Surely, this isn’t something I could make at home. Or is it?
This month for First on the First, we’re visiting the French once more. We challenged ourselves to make choux pastry for eclairs. Choux pastry is light dough made with only butter, water, flour and eggs. I was surprised to learn that there is no raising agents in choux pastry. Apparently the high moisture content creates steam which causes the dough to puff.
I was also pleasantly surprised by how easy it was to make eclairs! Combine a few ingredients and 10 minutes later you’ve got choux pastry baking in the oven. Fill ’em up and dunk them in some chocolate and you’re good to go! It’s that easy. So maybe you’ll try your hand at making eclairs or profiteroles or even crullers, they can all be made with choux pastry.
I used this recipe from Food Network to try my hand at making eclairs for the first time. The only variation I made was adding 1 1/2 teaspoons espresso powder to the heavy cream to make a mocha ganache topping.
Now don’t forget to go check out how all the other First On The First participants did! And please, join us next month!! We’re going to give royal icing a try. I’ve know I’ve never worked with or made royal icing before so it should be a great challenge.
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Enjoy!
~K
FoodBabbles 
Wow – those look awesome and love the addition of espresso powder for the glaze. I think I made it too hard on myself this month trying to switch up the recipe but I still had fun making them. Loving the First on The First this year!
I’m so glad that you’re enjoying First on the First with us, Deanna! We’re really enjoying being able to share it with other people.
Fantastic idea adding espresso powder for a kick! Isn’t it so rewarding when you find you can make the things you drool over at the bakery? I love that! 🙂
Oh absolutely!! Who knew?? I keep finding myself pleasantly surprised that I’m able to create these delights that seemed so difficult before.
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Mmm, your topping looks so perfect! I was also amazed how easy these were (and relieved, given when I started on them :))
Thanks! And I know how it is… I often procrastinate also. Or my kids make it impossible for me to get around to projects until the last minute. Either way, yours turned out great.
I’m so jealous, yours turned out so pretty!
Aww, thanks Holly! Yours looked and sounded great too though. You did a fantastic job!!
Ooooh! Yours are so pretty. What a great picture at the end there. Eclairs are not very photogenic (sp?), but you nailed it.
Thanks so much Donna! I agree, they were a hard thing to photograph and I wasn’t feeling like I nailed it so thank you for saying so 🙂 I appreciate it!
Oh I love them, but I think I wouldn’t dare to try making them 🙂
You could totally pull it off!! I was surprised by how easy it was. Honestly. And quick too! You should join us for First on the First… It’s fun and we try something new each month. Even if it isn’t something new for everyone maybe it would be something to revisit and perfect. Either way… It’s a great group of people and everyone seems to enjoy it. We’d love to have you!
These eclairs look so great. I’ve always been somewhat intimidated to make them so I steered clear of eclair recipes but now, I can’t wait to give these a try!
Thanks for the inspiration!
I’m so glad you like them! Thanks very much. I hear ya… Prior to this challenge, I never thought they were something that would be so easy to do myself! If you make them, let me know how it goes. Good luck!!
Beautiful! This is on my bucket list, to make these. They are one of my absolute FAVORITE desserts. You’ve just triggered a craving. 🙂
So glad I could trigger your sweet tooth 😉 Eclairs really are so incredibly delicious! I love them too
Gosh, these look SO good! I haven’t made eclairs in years, and I know why… I’d eat every last one of them!
Aren’t they just so dangerous?!? Truly. I had to give half of them away to my in-laws for fear of eating them all myself… and all in one day!
Oh my yumminess!!! I have been dreaming about making eclairs all day….and then I see your lovely post! – PERFECT! 🙂
Ha! How funny 🙂 It must be a sign that it’s time to make a batch.
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