Choux pastry is filled with sweetened, whipped cream then dipped in chocolate. Whipped Cream Chocolate Eclairs are wonderful French pastries.

An eclair cut open showing the whipped cream filling

The chocolate éclair has to be my favorite all-time pastry. Growing up in England, there was a bakery close to where we lived and this recipe is exactly how they used to be.

Granted, whipped cream is not traditional, pastry cream is, but again, this how the bakery served them and what I loved.

Whipped cream chocolate eclairs on a white plate with a cup of coffee

The eclairs start with choux (pronounced ‘shoe’). Not very difficult to make at all, but it is prepared in a unique way. The pastry is actually made in a pan over heat, then piped on to a baking sheet and baked.

They really are the trifecta of the perfect bite. First  you get the crisp from the chocolate then the pastry through to the creamy, whipped cream filling. This is not a very sweet dessert. You can adjust it how you like (see the options below).

A plate of eclairs from above showing the chocolate topping

Options

I like to use 70% chocolate, milk can also be used if you prefer. The whipped cream is sweetened, but you can taste it and add more sugar.

If you’ve tried these Whipped Cream Chocolate Eclairs or any other recipe on the blog then don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know how they turned out in the comments below. I love to hear from my readers!

You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOKTWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST to see daily recipe updates.

 

More Chocolate Recipes:

Yield: 10 eclairs

Whipped Cream Chocolate Éclairs

4 eclairs lined up on a plate with more in the background

Choux pastry is filled with sweetened whipped cream and topped with dark chocolate.

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes

Ingredients

  • 4 tablespoons (57 grams) unsalted butter
  • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
  • ½ cup (118 ml) water
  • ½ cup (74 grams) all-purpose flour
  • Small pinch of salt
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature, beaten
  • 3/4 cup (177 ml) heavy whipping cream, cold
  • 1/2 teaspoons powdered sugar
  • 4 ounces (115 grams) 70 or 72% dark chocolate, broken into pieces

Instructions

  1. To a medium saucepan over medium heat add the butter, sugar and water. Stir until the butter and sugar are melted and bring to a boil. 
  2. Remove from heat, while stirring vigorously with a wooden spoon or whisk, add the flour and salt. Continue stirring and cook until the mix starts to pull away from the sides of the pan and looks like mashed potato. Remove from the heat.
  3. Add one egg and beat the mix until the egg is incorporated and smooth. Repeat with the other egg until the mix is a shiny, smooth paste. Allow to cool slightly in the pan.
  4. Preheat the oven to 400°F/200°C with the rack in the center of the oven.
  5. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Draw 10, 3-inch lines, 2 inches apart on the paper. Turn the paper over so the pastry is not directly on the ink.
  6. Spoon the cooled pastry mixture into a piping bag fitted with a 1/2-inch (13 mm) round nozzle. Pipe 3-inch (7 ½ cm) long pastry lengths onto the baking sheet following the lines, about 1-inch (2 ½ cm) thick.
  7. Bake for 20 minutes, then turn the oven temperature down to 375°F/190°C and bake for a further 5-6 minutes until puffed and golden brown. Times will vary depending on your oven.
  8. Remove from the oven, transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.
  9. To a bowl, add the whipping cream (or use a stand mixer). Beat the whipped cream until soft peaks start to form. Add the powdered sugar and continue to beat until stiff peaks form.
  10. Transfer the cream to a piping bag fitted with a small nozzle.
  11. Once the pastries are cool, make 2 holes along the underside of the pastries. Pipe cream into each of the holes to fill the cavity of the pastry. Do not overfill. You will feel it filling up in your hand. Repeat with all. Alternately, you can slice the pastries lengthwise and sandwich the cream between the two.
  12. To a wide, microwave-safe glass bowl, add the chocolate. Microwave in 15 second increments, stirring between until melted. Dip the tops of the pastries into the melted chocolate, allowing excess to drip off and set them on a tray. Refrigerate to cool completely and set the chocolate.

Nutrition Information

Yield

10

Serving Size

1 eclair

Amount Per Serving Calories 442Total Fat 24gSaturated Fat 14gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 8gCholesterol 57mgSodium 43mgCarbohydrates 52gFiber 4gSugar 39gProtein 5g