Description
Mini eclairs are delicate French-inspired pastries made with airy pâte à choux shells filled with rich pastry cream or whipped cream and topped with a glossy chocolate glaze. Perfectly bite-sized, they’re elegant treats ideal for parties, tea time, or indulgent snacking.
Ingredients
- For the choux pastry:
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 large eggs
- For the filling (pastry cream):
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 egg yolks
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- Or whipped cream version: 1 cup heavy whipping cream + 2 tbsp sugar + 1 tsp vanilla
- For the glaze:
- 4 oz semi-sweet chocolate
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 tbsp butter
Instructions
Prepare choux pastry: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment. Boil water, butter, and salt. Stir in flour until mixture forms a ball. Let cool slightly. Add eggs one at a time, mixing until smooth. Pipe 3-inch strips on the sheet. Bake 20–25 minutes until golden. Cool completely.
- Make filling: Heat milk until simmering. Whisk egg yolks, sugar, and cornstarch in a bowl. Slowly whisk in hot milk, then return to saucepan. Cook until thickened. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla and butter. Cool. For whipped filling, beat cream, sugar, and vanilla until stiff.
- Fill shells: Poke a small hole or slice shells. Pipe filling inside using a pastry bag.
- Glaze: Heat cream until steaming. Pour over chocolate and butter, let sit, then stir smooth. Dip tops of filled eclairs in glaze. Chill briefly to set.
Notes
- Ensure shells bake until dry and golden to prevent deflating.
- Fill just before serving for best texture.
- Unfilled shells freeze well; re-crisp in the oven before filling.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 mini eclair
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 60mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
