Can we just talk about these éclairs? I have been eating them for what feels for-evaaa. But its only been weeks.
The upside to that is after much testing and tinkering, I’ve perfected the recipe for you.
Let me start by saying that some pate choux recipes call for all water, while others use half milk, half water. Mine falls into the latter. And since my stomach isn’t always happy when I consume milk, I’m so glad to know a2 Milk® is now available to people like me.
Can we just talk about how excited I am that a2 Milk®is now widely available in California? It’s natural milk from specially selected cows that produce milk without the A1 beta-casein protein—the protein that may cause digestive discomfort for those us not clinically diagnosed as lactose intolerant. a2 Milk® is a great replacement to the overly processed alternatives like Lactaid or Fairlife. And, I especially love that not only are their cows not given hormones or rBST, but the cows are also fed a vegetarian diet.
Do you see why someone like me is crushing on these specially selected cows and their milk?
An added good thing for this recipe because the burnt caramel pastry cream that these éclairs are stuffed with is made with a milk base. Milk is a key component in this recipe so you will definitely want to grab some a2 Milk®
With that, lets talk pate choux for these éclairs. These are exactly on point with what you need – hollow insides (no heavy webbing) and minimal cracks on the top with a crispy exterior. If you follow me on Instagram than you saw the evolution of this recipe. If not, you can see the recipe side-by-side transformation here.
In fact, stay tuned because I’ll be making a short video that will include key techniques for how to make éclairs that are more polished in appearance—that is without cracks and with hollow insides.
For the finish on these éclairs, I went with my usual heavy-handed flair. Beyond the decorative factor, I piped some Swiss Meringue on top for a lighter textural contrast to the caramel pastry cream. Then I sprinkled it with chocolate covered almonds for some crunch and added gold leaf for a final visual punch. But feel free to keep it simple and and stick with a chocolate glaze.
However, you finish it, grab a glass of a2 Milk® and enjoy!
**This is a sponsored post in collaboration with a2 Milk Company™ All opinions are my own.
Chocolate Eclairs with Burnt Caramel Pastry Creme
Yield: 28 4-inch eclairs
Ingredients:
Pate Choux (makes 28 4-inch eclair shells)
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup water
- 6 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup bread flour
- 3 eggs, lightly beaten
Burnt Caramel Creme (makes about 2 1/2 cups)
- 1 cup + 4 tablespoons sugar
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 cups milk
- 1/3 cup cornstarch
- 4 large egg yolks
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 teaspoons vanilla paste
Chocolate Glaze
- 2/3 cup heavy cream
- 8 ounces semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
Directions:
To make eclair shells:
Line two baking sheet with parchment paper. Fit pastry bag with 1/2 inch star tip (shells will crack less with a star tip vs round tip).
In a medium saucepan, stir and cook, milk, water, butter, sugar and salt over medium heat until well combined. Once butter is melted, bring mixture to a simmer. Once simmered, remove pan from heat and add flour all at once, using a sturdy spatula or wooden spoon, stir until streaks of flour are no longer visible. Return pan to medium heat and start vigorously stirring the dough and smashing it against the side of pan. The idea is to cook the moisture out of the dough. Dough is ready when it starts to pull away from side and a visible film is on the bottom of pan, about 3-5 minutes.
Transfer mixture to a stand mixer bowl fitted with a paddle attachment and beat on low for 3 minutes to release the steam. Let stand for 10 minutes to cool.
Turn oven onto 375 degrees F. In a small bowl, beat eggs until blended.
Turn mixer to medium and beat in half of egg mixture, making sure eggs are well blended into dough before adding the remaining eggs. Dough is ready when it's smooth and glossy and a tip forms when paddle is dipped and pulled out of dough and immediately falls on itself.
Transfer dough to a pastry bag. Pipe 4 inch long shells onto prepared baking sheet, make sure to space each one 2 inches apart. Bake 3755 degrees F for 20 minutes, turn pan half way through. Remove shells from oven and working quickly, slit tops of eclair 1/2 an inch long.
To make burnt caramel creme: In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup sugar and water, bring to a boil over medium heat. Brush down sides of pan with water as needed to prevent crystals from forming. Continue to boil for 8-10 minutes or until mixture turns a deep amber and just starts to smoke (the deeper the color, the more flavor). Remove pan from heat and immediately stir in milk (mixture will bubble and steam wildly, so be careful not to burn yourself). Return pan to low heat, cook and stir until smooth. Increase heat to medium. Let simmer about 1-2 minutes, remove from heat; set aside.
In the meantime and in a large bowl, whisk together 4 tablespoons sugar and cornstarch. Add in egg yolks and whisk to combine. Add about 5 tablespoon, 1 tablespoon at a time, of hot caramel mixture into yolk mixture while stirring constantly (this will temper the eggs and prevent it from curdling.) Once eggs are tempered pour in remaining caramel mixture. Return mixture to pot, cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and comes just to a boil, about 3-5 minutes. Remove from heat, strain mixture. Stir in butter and vanilla paste. Let cool slightly and place plastic wrap directly on surface. The Burnt Caramel Creme can be made up to 2 days in advance. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use. Bring to room temperature on counter tip when ready to use.
To make chocolate glaze: In a small saucepan, bring the cream ot just a boil over medium heat. Pour cream over chocolate and whisk until melted and smooth. Set aside and keep warm. The glaze can be made up to 2 days in advance. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use. Rewarm in a microwave when ready to use.
Assembly: Fill eclair shells with burnt caramel creme. Dip filled eclairs in chocolate. Finished as desired. To finish like the picture, pipe swiss meringue buttercream on top and layer with sliced chocolate covered almonds.
Welcome to my cozy corner where baking meets random thoughts and musings. I’m a self-taught baker sharing all things sweet (and some savory—okay, and cocktails) with a whisk in one hand and a camera in the other. 
That is a simply epic dessert. Pastry cream, burnt caramel flavor, gold leaf….chocolate…OMGawd! I have been seeing the a2 milk. I need to check it out!
Naomi, this is stunning. No one does desserts like you do. I love eclairs, my Dad was an eclair fanatic so he raised us to have a serious appreciation for them. Which I have, in spades.
I’ve never tried a2 milk, I need to take a peek for it when I shop stateside this week. Great milk is so important, good to know there’s a company going above and beyond.
What a beautiful dessert! I love dessert, but I haven’t made them for long time, I think it’s time to make them again! Wonderful recipe and pictures! – Love, Anna
Can these even be real!!!! Omg, Naomi….what have you done? Ha, thanks so much for working at perfecting these to share because they look like they are definitely perfection. I’m looking forward to the video!
I’m speechless Naomi! These are absolutely GORGEOUS and look amazing! Yay for the a2 milk!!
THAT CREME! Wow – these are so creative and gorgeous!
Now these are gorgeous!! Love these eclairs!!!
Who could not love these? Gorgeous and I cannot wait for the how-to/tips video!
Burnt caramel pastry creme… I mean, what more could one want? I’ll just take a bowl and a spoon and get to work.
Well, I am adding this burnt caramel pastry creme to my must make list!! Gorgeous!!
These sound heavenly!
Omg, I had eclairs in Paris and they were amazing. These look just like them!! I need to make some:)
This is fantastic Naomi!
STUNNING! I love everything about these eclairs but that burnt caramel creme may be my favorite part! Serious show stopper
You’re an animal! These eclairs are everything, Naomi. <3
THESE ECLAIRS!!! WOW!!! I am speechless! I’ve had A2 milk before and love it – perfect with these eclairs!
Oh, these eclairs are gorgeous! And burnt caramel pastry cream sounds amazing!!
Show stopper!!!! I would die to eat one of these!
Oh wow! These are seriously stunning and that caramel pastry cream has got me salivating… The meringue and chocolate topping are a really nice touch as well
I think I need to come up with an eclair recipe for my blog so I can recipe test for weeks
Sounds like a fun challenge. These eclairs look incredibly delicious!
Those eclairs look so good!
Can I be a taste tester for you from now on?! These are beautiful!!
I’ve been loving cream puffs, but still have yet to try eclairs with the choux pastry batter! This variation looks delicious. Dying over the burnt caramel.
Stunning…i just want to get stuck into one of those!!!
These are so loaded down. They look amazing!
Kari
http://www.sweetteasweetie.com
Oh my! This eclair recipe looks mouthwatering!
These look amazing and so beautiful!
Holy cow! Those are seriously the best looking eclairs I have ever seen! And I will have to look for that milk because my daughter can’t handle much dairy!
Caramel pastry cream sounds so delightful, now another reason to practice my piping skills or éclair trifle for the win.
Absolutely beautiful!
This would be a hit anywhere. Looks divine and I’m sure tastes even more amazing and can’t wait for the videos.
xoxo
I really like the sound of that milk! Holy smokes these eclairs are nothing short of incredible! That filling is to die for!
The most beautiful eclairs ever!! Love all the layers of deliciousness. And burnt caramel pastry creme?! Come to me
I just said a curse when I saw the picture and name of this recipe. It was a delighted curse, a jubilant curse, a #*#& yes kind of curse. Thank you for inspiring jubilant profanity in my day!
Gorgeous, and I’m loving that caramel creme!
Wow.