Oh My Goodness! This Homemade chocolate eclair recipe is the perfect combination of pastry, cream and chocolate. Such a treat!
Pastry Cream (make this the night before)
Whisk together sugar, cornstarch and flour. Add egg yolks and whisk until smooth. Set aside
In medium sized pot heat milk and scraped vanilla bean until it just comes to a simmer. Pour a bit of heated milk into egg yolks and whisk. Pour egg yolks into milk and bring to a simmer whisking the whole time. Once it starts to thicken turn off heat and whisk in butter. Pour into a heat safe bowl and let cool. Cover and chill overnight.
Pastry
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a medium pot bring to a boil water, butter, sugar, and salt. Add flour and mix until a dough forms and pull away from the sides.
Place dough in a mixer with a paddle attachment. Add eggs one a time and beat extensively after each addition. Let cool a bit.
Pipe a line about 1 inch long onto prepared baking tray. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until golden brown. Set to cool, once cool enough to touch let them cool on a wire rack.
Dark Chocolate Ganache
In a double boiler or a pot filled with water and a bowl, melt chocolate and cream together until smooth
Assembly
Punch hole into ends of eclairs and pipe pastry cream into middle of eclairs. Dip top of eclair into melted chocolate let excess drip off. Garnish with toasted almonds.