Baking Classics
The Technique
Chocolate Éclairs
Once a recipe of Pâte à Choux, has been prepared, Miniature Chocolate Éclairs may take shape. The key to these irresistible sweet canapés is piping the paste in straight lines. Split them soon after they are baked to achieve the cleanest cuts. Although a dot pattern was chosen for the design element of this particular recipe, the filling & the glaze may be piped anyway you so choose. Éclairs are best when eaten the same day they are prepared so make plans to bake & fill them the morning of your gathering then they may be served for a lunch or afternoon party.
Miniature Chocolate Éclairs
makes 6 dozen
1/2 cup whole milk
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup butter
3/4 tsp kosher salt
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
4 eggs, room temperature
Creme Mousseline
Bittersweet Chocolate Ganache Glaze
Combine the milk, the water, the butter & the salt in a 3 1/2 quart saucepan. Bring to a rolling boil over Medium-High heat. The bubbles should be all over the surface. Add all of the flour at once. Stir vigorously using a wooden spoon until incorporated. Cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly. A crust will form on the bottom of the pan. Remove the pot from the heat. Transfer the mixture to the bowl of a heavy duty stand mixer. Blend the dough with a paddle attachment on Low speed 30 seconds to release a good bit of the steam then begin adding the eggs one at a time. Allow each egg to be completely blended into the mixture before adding the next. The mixture will break apart but will come together once the last egg has been incorporated. Increase the speed to Medium-Low & mix until the mixture is smooth & holds its shape along the bowl sides when the mixer is off. Scrape down the bowl sides using a rubber spatula. Transfer the choux paste to a piping bag fit with a 3/8-inch plain tip.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Pipe 2 1/2-inch lines on parchment paper-lined half sheet pans spacing 1 1/2-inches apart. Bake 18 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 1 hour. Slice the shells in half lengthwise using a serrated utility knife. Fill a piping bag fit with a #5 tip. Pipe small dollops of Creme Mousseline on the bottom portion. Cover with the top portion. Pipe small dollops of Bittersweet Chocolate Ganache Glaze over the surface. Chill up to 2 hours before serving.
Creme Mousseline
makes about 4 cups
3/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup cornstarch
1/4 tsp kosher salt
2 1/2 cups whole milk
4 egg yolks
1/2 tsp vanilla bean paste
2 Tbsp butter
1 cup very soft butter
Whisk together the sugar, the cornstarch & the salt in a 3 1/2 quart saucepan. Whisk in the whole milk. Add the egg yolks & blend well. Cook, stirring with a whisk, over Medium heat about 6 minutes. The mixture will thicken & begin a slow bubble. Reduce the heat to Low & cook an additional 1 minute. Remove from the heat. Add the vanilla bean paste & the 2 tablespoons of butter then allow it to melt. Whisk the mixture until smooth & pass through a chinois or fine wire mesh sieve set over a bowl. Discard the solids. Spread the pastry cream over a 13 x 9-inch quarter sheet pan & place plastic wrap directly over the surface. Chill 1 hour.
Place half of the pastry cream in the bowl of a heavy duty stand mixer. Beat the mixture on Medium speed to break it up a bit then add 1/2 cup of the very soft better. Beat on Medium to Medium-High speed until completely smooth. It may take up to 5 minutes. The key point is that the mixture should have a smooth, velvety-whipped texture. Transfer the mixture to a bowl. Repeat with the remaining pastry cream & the very soft butter. Use as directed.
Bittersweet Chocolate Ganache Glaze
makes about 2/3 cup
Microwave 1/2 cup bittersweet chocolate morsels & 4 Tbsp heavy cream in a small glass bowl on High 30 to 60 seconds or until melted. Whisk until smooth. Let stand 5 minutes. Whisk in an additional 1/2 Tbsp heaving cream until smooth. Fill a piping bag fit with a #7 tip. Use as directed.
FROM THE KITCHEN OF BUTTERMILK LIPSTICK
{testing notes}
How To Make Miniature Chocolate Éclairs
Éclairs may be piped small or large depending on how they are to be offered to guests. Use a bigger tip to make a standard size that’s ideal for a classic dessert serving.
The Technique
A few pieces of equipment will be necessary in order to complete the task. Read through the recipe before beginning. Here’s what you should know.
No. 1
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Pipe 2 1/2-inch lines on parchment paper-lined half sheet pans spacing 1 1/2-inches apart.
No. 2
Bake 18 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 1 hour.
No. 3
Slice the shells in half lengthwise using a serrated utility knife. Fill a piping bag fit with a #5 tip. Pipe small dollops of Creme Mousseline on the bottom portion. Cover with the top portion. Pipe small dollops of Bittersweet Chocolate Ganache Glaze over the surface.
No. 4
Chill up to 2 hours before serving.
The Tune
“Did I Remember” Billie Holiday
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Be sweet.
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