Classic French Éclairs with Chocolate Ganache

Whip up perfect éclairs with my easy recipe! Master pâte à choux, creamy vanilla filling, & chocolate ganache. Tasty baking made simple. Get the yummy comfort food recipe now!

June 10, 2025
By Sally Thompson.

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Right then, let's talk éclairs, shall we? ever get that craving for something fancy, something a bit "ooh la la," but also secretly want some proper yummy comfort food ? i know i do! that's where this eclair recipe comes in.

Elevate Your Baking Game: The Classic Éclair Awaits

Honestly, who doesn't love an éclair? these light-as-air pastries filled with creamy goodness and topped with rich chocolate are the perfect treat.

They're a bit posh, a bit retro, and utterly irresistible. did you know that éclairs originated in france in the 19th century? they're a staple of french patisseries, and now, you can make them at home.

Don't worry, easy baking recipes desserts are my specialty, and i'll guide you!

This eclair recipe isn’t one of those crazy complicated ones. it's medium difficulty, really. think of it as a fun weekend baking project.

It takes about 2 hours all in, but that includes chilling time. and the best bit? it makes about 12 éclairs.

Perfect for sharing… or, you know, not!

Classic French Éclairs with Chocolate Ganache Recipe Card

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Preparation time:45 Mins

Cooking time:35 Mins

Servings:12 Éclairs

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (240ml) water
• 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, cut into cubes
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour
• 4 large eggs
• 2 cups (473ml) whole milk
• 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup (30g) cornstarch
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 4 large egg yolks
• 2 tablespoons (28g) unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 8 ounces (225g) semi-sweet chocolate, finely chopped
• 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream

Instructions:

• Combine water, butter, and salt in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Add flour all at once and stir vigorously until a smooth dough forms and pulls away from the sides of the pan.
• Transfer dough to a mixing bowl and let it cool slightly (about 5 minutes) to prevent cooking the eggs.
• Beat in eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. The dough should be smooth and pipeable.
• Transfer the dough to a piping bag. Pipe 4-inch long strips onto a prepared baking sheet.
• Bake in a preheated oven (375°F/190°C) for 30-35 minutes, or until golden brown and puffed up. Reduce the oven temperature to 325°F (160°C) during the last 10 minutes of baking if the éclairs are browning too quickly.
• Let éclairs cool completely on a wire rack.
• Whisk together milk, sugar, cornstarch, salt, and egg yolks in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened. Remove from heat and stir in butter and vanilla.
• Transfer the filling to a bowl, cover with plastic wrap (pressing it directly onto the surface to prevent a skin from forming), and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
• Place chopped chocolate in a heat-proof bowl. Heat heavy cream in a saucepan until simmering. Pour hot cream over chocolate and let sit for 1 minute, then whisk until smooth.
• Cut the cooled éclairs in half horizontally. Fill with the chilled vanilla cream.
• Dip the top half of each éclair into the chocolate ganache.
• Chill the assembled éclairs for at least 15 minutes before serving to allow the ganache to set.

Why You'll Love This Eclair Recipe

So, why should you bother making éclairs yourself? well, first off, freshly baked anything is just better. it's a fact.

Plus, this recipe has a delicious vanilla cream filling that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside, so tasty baking and yummy comfort food are the target!.

Beyond the pure joy of eating them, éclairs are surprisingly… well, they contain dairy and eggs that contribute essential nutrients.

I mean, everything in moderation, right? they're the perfect thing to serve at a tea party, or just to impress your mates.

Honestly, these sweet dishes recipes are always a winner.

Now, let's get to the ingredients. we're talking water, butter, flour, eggs for the pastry; milk, sugar, cornstarch, egg yolks, butter, and vanilla for the filling; and chocolate and cream for the ganache.

Simple enough, yeah? onwards to making the dough.

Right, let's dive into what you'll actually need to make these awesome éclairs. this eclair recipe is a bit involved, but honestly, once you get the hang of it, you’ll be whipping up these sweet dishes recipes like a pro.

We'll break down each part. don't sweat it if you don't have everything . we'll chat about swaps, too.

Ingredients & Equipment: Getting Your Ducks in a Row

Main Ingredients: The Nitty-Gritty

Alright, let's look at the core of our eclair recipe . It's like any of the cake recipes easy homemade , you need good ingredients.

For the Pâte à Choux (That's the fancy pastry, yeah?):

• Water: 1 cup (240ml)
• Unsalted Butter: 1/2 cup (113g) You really want unsalted here. Trust me.
• Salt: 1/4 teaspoon
• All-Purpose Flour: 1 cup (120g) Just regular plain flour. No fancy stuff.
• Large Eggs: 4 (The bigger, the better)

For the Vanilla Cream Filling (Ooh, fancy!):

• Whole Milk: 2 cups (473ml)
• Granulated Sugar: 1/2 cup (100g)
• Cornstarch: 1/4 cup (30g)
• Salt: 1/4 teaspoon
• Large Egg Yolks: 4
• Unsalted Butter: 2 tablespoons (28g)
• Vanilla Extract: 1 teaspoon Don't skimp! Go for the good stuff, you know?

For the Chocolate Ganache (The best bit, let's be honest):

• Semi-Sweet Chocolate: 8 ounces (225g), finely chopped. Good quality chocolate. I cannot stress this enough. Seriously.
• Heavy Cream: 1 cup (240ml)

Quality check? For the butter and chocolate, get decent stuff. It'll make a world of difference in the flavour. It's proper yummy comfort food , after all, innit? Don't ruin the experience with cheap chocolate!

Seasoning Notes: A Little Extra Zing

For the vanilla in the cream? Go for proper extract or, if you're feeling fancy, vanilla bean paste. It's amazing. Also try some quick recipes snacks .

Spice-wise, we're pretty simple here. Maybe a tiny pinch of nutmeg in the cream if you're feeling wild.

Equipment Needed: The Bare Essentials

You don't need a fancy Parisian patisserie setup to make tasty baking . Honestly! Here's what you actually need.

• Saucepan: For the pastry and cream.
• Wooden Spoon: For stirring like your life depends on it.
• Baking Sheet: Obvious, right?
• Parchment Paper: Stops the pastry sticking.
• Piping Bag & Round Tip: For making the eclair shape. I tried a sandwich bag once... Disaster.
• Wire Rack: To cool the baked goodness.
• Double Boiler/Bowl & Pan: For the ganache. If you don't have a double boiler, a heatproof bowl over a pan of simmering water works a treat.

Got all that? good! next up, we're diving into the actual baking. making baked dessert recipes is a piece of cake, honest.

Have fun creating the tasty recipes videos and the easy snack recipes while easy baking recipes desserts with the family.

Right then, let's talk eclair recipe . honestly, these are proper showstoppers. we’re not just talking about any baked dessert recipes ; we're talking about those fancy french things that look like you spent ages in the kitchen.

Don't worry, it’s easier than you think! did you know éclairs date back to the 19th century? bet you didn't!

Cracking the Eclair Code: Prep Like a Pro

Before we get our aprons dirty, a bit of "mise en place," yeah? Get everything measured. Makes life so much easier.

• Essential mise en place: Water measured, butter cubed, flour weighed. You know the drill!
• Time-saving tips: Weigh your flour now. Trust me, you'll thank me later.
• Safety first: Hot pans are NOT your friend. Use oven gloves, yeah?

Eclairs: Step by Step (It's Easier Than You Think!)

Right, here's the magic bit. Follow these steps and you'll have yummy comfort food in no time. Let's get into this Cake Recipes Easy Homemade .

1. Boil 1 cup water , 1/2 cup butter , and 1/4 tsp salt .
2. Dump in 1 cup flour . Stir like mad till it's a dough.
3. Cool a bit. Then, add 4 eggs one at a time.
4. Pipe into 4-inch strips.
5. Bake at 375° F ( 190° C) for 30- 35 mins . Reduce to 325° F ( 160° C) if needed.
6. Cool completely.
7. Fill with vanilla cream.
8. Dip in chocolate ganache.

Pro Tips: Eclair Edition

Alright, now for some proper insider knowledge to improve the eclair recipe and make sure that you get tasty baking every time!

• Don't open the oven. Like, ever . Seriously, it’s a disaster.
• Poke holes after baking. Soggy bottoms are a no-no.
• Make the cream and ganache ahead. It is a proper easy snack recipes hack.

There you have it! You've nailed the eclair recipe and you are ready to have these sweet dishes recipes done! You are able to do more and more quick recipes snacks ! Why not check out some tasty recipes videos now?

Alright, let's chat more about these amazing éclairs! we've got the recipe sorted, but there’s a few extra bits and bobs i want to share to make sure your eclair recipe is a total success.

Think of these as little secrets for tasty baking and easy baking recipes desserts.

Recipe Notes: Nailing Those Éclairs!

Serving 'Em Up Like a Pro

Right, you’ve made these gorgeous baked dessert recipes , now what? presentation is key! picture this: a light dusting of icing sugar.

Place each yummy comfort food eclair on a pretty plate. or arrange them on a tiered stand. i once saw someone drizzle melted white chocolate over them.

Total game changer! as for sides, honestly, a strong coffee is always a winner. fancy a tipple? a dessert wine works a treat.

Keeping Your Éclairs Fresh

Listen up, nobody likes a soggy eclair! refrigeration guidelines are crucial. pop them in an airtight container in the fridge.

They'll last a couple of days. freezing options ? yep, you can freeze unfilled shells. just wrap them well. then defrost fully before filling.

Reheating instructions ? best to eat them cold, really. a quick blast in the oven might work, but be careful they don't dry out.

Variations: Getting Creative with Cake Recipes Easy Homemade

Want to mix things up? of course, you do! for a dietary twist, you could try a gluten-free flour blend.

Just be warned, pâte à choux is a bit temperamental. sweet dishes recipes are calling your name! seasonal swaps? in the summer, a light lemon cream filling is divine.

For autumn, a spiced apple filling is unbelievably good. these are quick recipes snacks that will impress!

Nutrition Nuggets

Okay, let's be real. éclairs aren’t health food, but who cares?! they're a treat. i'm not going to bore you with crazy numbers.

But they've got carbs, fat, and sugar. basically, enjoy in moderation. that being said, a little indulgence can do wonders for the soul.

The key health benefit? happiness, pure and simple!

Right then, get baking those tasty recipes videos ! even if they're not perfect the first time, keep going. pâte à choux takes practice.

You will have perfect easy snack recipes eventually!. and honestly, even a slightly wonky eclair still tastes amazing. get in the kitchen and give it a go! you got this!