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Desserts Other

MINIATURE CHOCOLATE ECLAIRS

MINIATURE CHOCOLATE ECLAIRS

No store-bought eclairs can compare to these bite-size pastries with their rich chocolate center.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Course Desserts, Other
Servings 12 eclairs

Ingredients
  

Filling

  • 1 pkg vanilla pudding about 3 1/2 oz
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1 tub Cool Whip
  • 1 tsp almond extract

Shell

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter 1 stick
  • 1 cup water
  • 1/8 tsp salt
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 4 large eggs

Frosting

  • 1/2 cup chocolate chips
  • 1 1/2 tsp dark corn syrup
  • 1 1/2 cup confectioners sugar
  • 2 tsp milk
  • 2 tbs unsalted butter

Instructions
 

Make the Shell

  • Preheat oven to 400°F. Combine butter, water and salt in a medium saucepan; bring to a boil over high heat.
  • Add flour all at once to boiling liquid, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon. Remove from heat and continue stirring until the flour mixture leaves the sides of the pan.
  • Add eggs, one at a time, into the flour mixture, mixing well after each addition. Continue stirring until the dough is smooth and not lumpy. Set aside for 15 minutes to allow to thoroughly cool.
  • After the dough cools, drop by rounded heaping teaspoonfuls onto an ungreased cookie sheet, placing dough 2 to 3 inches apart.
  • Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until golden brown. Immediately split shells in half while hot to allow steam to escape and to keep the shells crisp. Cool thoroughly before filling.

Make the Filling

  • Follow the directions on the box of pudding. Fold in Cool Whip and almond extract. Fill shells with prepared pudding mixture.

Make the Frosting

  • place all ingredients into a microwave safe bowl. Microwave on medium heat for 20 seconds; stir the mixture. If the chocolate chips and butter are not completely melted after stirring, Microwave for 10 more seconds (and at 10-second intervals if they are still not melted). Stirring afterward until the mixture is totally melted and smooth.

Notes

Options:
Dust the tops with powdered sugar to make cream puffs
Fill with ice cream for a frozen treat
Experiment with different pudding flavors (cheesecake pudding filling is delicious!)
Experiment with different extract flavors (try peppermint extract with chocolate pudding)
To make this a savory dish, fill with crab dip (or your favorite dip) for an easy appetizer
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!