Raspberry and Cream Éclairs

Pretty in pink

17 ingredientsPrep: 1 hr 30 minsCook: 1 hr
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Samantha Seneviratne

Jan 7, 2025

A pretty-in-pink version of the classic favorite, these éclairs are filled with a raspberry cream made with fresh and freeze-dried raspberries for concentrated flavor and a rosy hue. Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods carry freeze-dried raspberries, as do many online stores, but you can leave them out if you can’t find them — the cream will be less intense, but still tasty. These éclairs are a labor of love, best enjoyed the day they’re created.

Ingredients (17)

For the raspberry cream

For the puffs

For the glaze

Instructions

Prepare the custard

  1. Stir together the egg yolks (6 large), sugar (½ cup), cornstarch (¼ cup) and kosher salt (1 pinch) in a medium saucepan until smooth.

  2. Whisk in the milk (2 cups) and ½ cup heavy cream. Add the vanilla bean (1) and seeds and the butter (2 Tbsp) and bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat.

  3. Set a fine-mesh sieve over a large heatproof bowl.

  4. Cook the mixture over medium-low heat, stirring constantly and making sure to get the edges, until the mixture begins to thicken, 2 to 4 minutes.

    It's helpful to have both a spatula and a whisk handy while making the custard. Switch between the two.

  5. Let it come up to a very slow boil and cook for 1 minute more. Strain the custard through the sieve into the bowl.

  6. Press plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the custard and refrigerate until chilled, at least 1½ hours.

Prepare the puffs

  1. Bring the butter (¾ stick), sugar (2 tsp), salt (½ tsp) and ¾ cup water to a simmer over medium heat in a medium saucepan, stirring with a wooden spoon

  2. As soon as it comes to a boil, add the flour (¾ cup), stirring constantly, until the dough forms a ball and pulls away from the sides of the pan, about 1 minute.

  3. Remove the pan from the heat and let the mixture cool for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring the dough occasionally.

  4. Heat oven to 450°F. Add the eggs (3 large) to the dough in the pan, one at a time, stirring vigorously between each addition with a wooden spoon.

    The dough will break apart and slide around in the pot before it comes back together.

  5. Transfer the dough to a piping bag fitted with a large round or star tip.

Prepare the glaze

  1. Bring the heavy cream (½ cup) and salt (½ tsp) to a simmer over medium heat.

  2. Remove from the heat and stir in the chocolate (1 cup) and corn syrup (1 Tbsp). Let the mixture stand for 1 minute and then whisk to make a smooth sauce.