Homemade Chocolate Eclairs

In a saucepan, combine the sugar, butter, milk and water. Bring the mixture to a small simmer. Once the sugar and butter mixture have started to simmer, add the flour and mix continuously so that it doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pan. Carefully transfer the dough to a stand mixture and with a paddle attachment and mix on low for 2-3 minutes. While the dough is mixing, start adding in the eggs one at a time. Make sure to allow the eggs to completely mix before adding in the next egg to the mixture. Once the eggs have been combined with the dough, add the vanilla and salt then mix the dough for an additional 2-3 minutes.

Transfer the dough to a bag for piping out the éclair pastry onto the prepared baking sheet. Add a medium sized round tip. Pipe them about 5 inches long.Once all of the eclairs are piped, place them into the oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until they start to brown and look glossy. DO NOT OPEN THE OVEN DOOR DURING BAKING. This can ruin the eclairs.

Once baked, piece an éclair with a toothpick and make sure they are hollow. If not hollow, bake for an additional 5 minutes. Allow the pastry to cool before filling with cream.

Add milk and 1/4 cup of granulated sugar to a saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a simmer. In a large bowl, whisk together the egg and egg yolks. Add in the 1/3 cup sugar and cornstarch and mix until smooth. Add in the simmering milk and sugar to the bowl and continue to whisk while slowly combining the two. Return the milk and egg mixture to the saucepan and slowly bring these to a boil while continuously stirring. Once the mixture starts to thicken, remove it from the heat. Stir in the vanilla and butter. Pour the mixture into a heat safe container. Use the plastic wrap to cover it. Place the covered bowl into the refrigerator and allow to cool before piping into the eclairs. In a medium bowl, melt the chocolate in the microwave. Whisk in the butter until smooth.

To fill the pastry, use a bag and piping tip or a pastry filling tool to fill the eclairs with cream. Dip the eclairs into the chocolate glaze and place on a plate to allow the glaze to cool before serving.

Enjoy!!!