Description

Delicate choux pastry éclairs filled with luscious vanilla pastry cream and topped with a glossy salted caramel glaze—decadent, elegant, and utterly irresistible.

Ingredients

Units Scale

1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 cup water
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup all-purpose flour
4 large eggs
2 cups whole milk
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch
4 egg yolks
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons water
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
Pinch of sea salt

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Instructions

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a saucepan, bring water, butter, and salt to a boil. Add flour all at once and stir vigorously until a dough forms and pulls away from the sides. Let cool for 5 minutes.
Add eggs one at a time, beating after each addition, until dough is smooth and glossy.
Pipe into 4-inch strips on the baking sheet. Bake for 25–30 minutes or until puffed and golden. Let cool completely.
For the pastry cream: Whisk sugar, cornstarch, and egg yolks in a bowl. Heat milk in a saucepan until just simmering. Slowly pour into the egg mixture while whisking constantly.
Return the mixture to the pan and cook over medium heat until thickened. Stir in vanilla extract and butter. Chill before using.
For the caramel glaze: Heat sugar and water over medium heat until it turns a deep amber color. Carefully whisk in heavy cream, butter, and sea salt until smooth. Cool slightly.
Slice éclairs in half lengthwise. Pipe pastry cream into the bottom halves.
Replace tops and spoon or drizzle salted caramel glaze over the éclairs.
Chill until the glaze is set, then serve.

Notes

Do not open the oven door while baking éclairs to prevent collapsing.
Make the pastry cream a day ahead to save time and allow it to set fully.
Use a piping bag for even and neat éclair shapes and filling.
Caramel glaze can be made in advance and gently reheated before use.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 éclair
Calories: 290
Sugar: 18g
Sodium: 100mg
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 11g
Unsaturated Fat: 6g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 26g
Fiber: 0g
Protein: 5g
Cholesterol: 115mg