I remember as a kid, my Mom loved Chocolate Éclairs. While I thought they were pretty good, when given the choice at the bakery, I much preferred the sparkly butter cookies covered with a rainbow’s worth of colors. Looking back, I realize éclairs were always the superior choice, my childish taste buds just didn’t know it yet.
I started this recipe with the intention of making Éclairs. I wasn’t happy with the shapes I was able to get out of the dough, and ended up with swirly poofs called Profiteroles. I had a batch of ice cream already in the freezer, so I decided the pastry cream could wait until next time, as well. While not the same as a creamy éclair, the Profiteroles with Ice Cream and Chocolate Sauce we the perfect introduction to a once intimidating pastry called Choux.
Choux (pronounced "shoo") are puff shells made from a thick batter of butter, flour, eggs, milk and water. The mixture is cooked on the stovetop, then piped into a variety of shapes and sizes and baked in a hot oven. The moist interior and crisp shells are ideal for savory or sweet fillings. Store the shells in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 day, or make them ahead and freeze for up to 1 month.
Choux
Adapted from Williams-Sonoma, Essentials of Baking
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup water
- 6 Tbs. (3/4 stick) unsalted butter, cut into
1/2-inch pieces - 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
- 4 eggs
Directions
Position 2 racks evenly in the oven and preheat to 425°F.
In a saucepan over medium-high heat, combine the milk, water, butter and salt and bring to a full boil. Once the butter has melted, remove the pan from the heat, add the flour all at once and stir vigorously with a wooden spoon until blended. Return the pan to medium heat and continue stirring until the mixture pulls away from the sides of the pan and forms a ball. Remove from the heat and let cool for 3 to 4 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk 1 of the eggs. When the batter has cooled, add the egg and beat with the spoon until incorporated. Whisk each of the remaining eggs one at a time, then stir into the batter. After each egg is added, the mixture will separate and appear shiny but will return to a smooth paste with vigorous beating. Let the paste cool for about 10 minutes before shaping.
To shape small puffs (ideal for profiteroles), fit a pastry bag with a 3/16-inch plain tip and fill the bag with the paste. For each puff, pipe about 1 tsp. of the paste onto a prepared pan, forming a mound about 1/2 inch in diameter. Space the mounds at least 2 inches apart to allow for expansion.
To shape large puffs (ideal for cream puffs), fit a pastry bag with a 5/8-inch plain tip and fill the bag with the paste. For each puff, pipe about 1 Tbs. of the paste onto a prepared pan, forming a mound about 2 inches in diameter. Space the mounds at least 2 inches apart to allow for expansion.
To shape logs (ideal for éclairs), fit a pastry bag with a 3/4-inch plain tip and fill the bag with the paste. Pipe out logs 4 inches long and 1 inch wide. Space the logs at least 2 inches apart to allow for expansion.
Bake the puffs for 15 minutes, then reduce the heat to 375°F and continue baking until golden brown, 5 to 10 minutes more for the small puffs and 15 to 20 minutes more for the large puffs and logs.
Remove from the oven and immediately prick the side of each puff or log with the tip of a sharp knife. Return to the oven, leave the oven door open and allow the pastries to dry out for 10 to 15 minutes. Transfer the pans to wire racks and let the pastries cool completely on the pans before filling.