Lovely Leah's Eclairs

Indulge your sweet tooth with Lovely Leah's Éclairs, the perfect marriage of airy choux pastry, velvety vanilla pastry cream, and decadent dark chocolate glaze. This classic French dessert is elevated with a flawless combination of ingredients like golden unsalted butter, creamy whole milk, and rich egg yolks, giving each éclair a luxurious texture and flavor. With its golden shell piped to perfection and a glossy chocolate topping, these éclairs are as stunning as they are delicious. Whether you’re hosting an elegant afternoon tea or simply looking for a rewarding baking project, this recipe guides you through every step—from creating perfectly crisp pastry to mastering a silky custard filling. Garnish with a dusting of powdered sugar for a final touch of whimsy before serving these irresistible treats. Perfect for any occasion, Lovely Leah's Éclairs will quickly become a favorite on your dessert menu!

Nutriscore Rating: 56/100

Prep Time:45 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:85 mins

Servings: 12

Ingredients

• 115 grams Unsalted butter
• 240 ml Water
• 1 pinch Salt
• 130 grams All-purpose flour
• 4 pieces Large eggs
• 500 ml Whole milk
• 100 grams Granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
• 4 pieces Egg yolks
• 30 grams Cornstarch
• 60 ml Heavy cream
• 150 grams Dark chocolate
• 10 grams Powdered sugar (optional for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F). Line a baking tray with parchment paper.

Step 2

In a medium saucepan, combine the butter, water, and a pinch of salt. Heat over medium heat until the butter melts and the mixture begins to boil.

Step 3

Turn the heat to low and add the flour all at once. Stir vigorously with a wooden spoon until the dough pulls away from the sides of the pan and forms a ball.

Step 4

Remove the pan from the heat and allow the dough to cool for 5-10 minutes. Then, add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition until the dough is smooth and glossy.

Step 5

Transfer the dough to a piping bag fitted with a large star or round tip. Pipe 12 evenly sized strips (approximately 4 inches in length) onto the prepared baking sheet.

Step 6

Bake for 20 minutes, then lower the temperature to 180°C (350°F) and bake for another 10-15 minutes or until golden brown and crisp. Remove from the oven and cool completely on a wire rack.

Step 7

To make the pastry cream, heat the milk in a saucepan until it just reaches a simmer. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, whisk together sugar, egg yolks, cornstarch, and vanilla extract.

Step 8

Pour a small amount of the hot milk into the egg mixture while whisking constantly to temper the eggs. Then, slowly add the tempered egg mixture back to the saucepan with the remaining milk.

Step 9

Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until the mixture thickens into a smooth custard. Remove from heat and stir in the butter. Transfer to a bowl, cover with cling film pressed directly onto the surface, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.

Step 10

For the chocolate glaze, heat the heavy cream in a saucepan until it just begins to simmer. Remove from heat and pour over the chopped dark chocolate. Let sit for 2 minutes, then stir until smooth and glossy.

Step 11

Once the éclairs are cool, cut them in half lengthwise or use a pastry filler to create a small hole in one end. Fill with the chilled pastry cream using a piping bag.

Step 12

Dip the tops of the éclairs in the chocolate glaze and place them on a wire rack to set. Optionally, dust with powdered sugar before serving.

Step 13

Enjoy your Lovely Leah’s Éclairs!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1626.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3693.0

Total Fat 222.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 118.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.6g
Cholesterol 1869.1mg	0%
Sodium 722.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 357.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 14.4g	0%
Total Sugars 210.1g
Protein 76.6g	0%

Vitamin D 460.1IU	0%
Calcium 991.2mg	0%
Iron 29.5mg	0%
Potassium 2355.6mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 53.5%

Protein: 8.2%

Carbs: 38.3%