Choux pastry

The éclair is an absolutely iconic piece of choux pastry that is enjoyed and praised all over the world. But baked to perfection, filled with dark chocolate pastry cream boasting the full-bodied Finest Belgian Chocolate taste and topped with some original handmade chocolate decorations, this classic piece of pastry is bound to make a big impression, even on the most avid connoisseurs of the French dessert menu.
Level:
Easy

Choux pastry

Ingredients: Choux pastry

  • 250 ml
    water
  • 3.5 oz
    butter

Preparation: Choux pastry

Bring to the boil slowly. Remove the saucepan from the stove.

Ingredients: Choux pastry

  • 5.3 oz
    bread flour

Preparation: Choux pastry

Add the strong flour - mix well. Return to the stove and continue mixing until the mix becomes smooth and does not stick to the sides of the pan.

Ingredients: Choux pastry

  • 7.1 oz
    whole egg(s)

Preparation: Choux pastry

Cool slightly. Place in a mixer. Add the eggs one at a time (the amount of eggs depends on the strength of the flour) until the mix drops away from a spoon on a count of 5.

Pipe straight away onto a buttered floured tray, slipmat or demarle flexipan mat. Cook at 215°C for 15 minutes until brown and set.

Chocolate cream patisserie for the centre of eclairs

Ingredients: Chocolate cream patisserie for the centre of eclairs

  • 8.8 oz
    milk
  • 1/2
    vanilla bean
  • 1.8 oz
    sugar

Preparation: Chocolate cream patisserie for the centre of eclairs

Boil together. 

Ingredients: Chocolate cream patisserie for the centre of eclairs

  • 1.4 oz
    egg yolks

Preparation: Chocolate cream patisserie for the centre of eclairs

Mix the remaining sugar and egg yolks together.

Ingredients: Chocolate cream patisserie for the centre of eclairs

  • 0.4 oz
    flour
  • 0.4 oz
    cornflour

Preparation: Chocolate cream patisserie for the centre of eclairs

Stir in the flours. Stir in the milk. Thicken on the stove. Stirring all the time with a whisk to prevent lumps.

Ingredients: Chocolate cream patisserie for the centre of eclairs

Preparation: Chocolate cream patisserie for the centre of eclairs

Stir in the chocolate and butter. Pour onto a tray, cover immediately with cling film to prevent skinning and condensation.

Chocolate abstract decoration

Ingredients: Chocolate abstract decoration

Preparation: Chocolate abstract decoration

Place a plastic acetate sheet onto a board. Place a small amount of tempered chocolate on one end of the sheet. Lay another plastic sheet on top. Using a rolling pin smooth the chocolate between the two sheets. Cut rectangles for the moist chocolate sponge to stand on to serve. Plus leaving some thin chocolate as a sheet to break off abstract pieces for the top decoration of the cake. Allow to set for at least 2 hours before removing the top acetate sheet.