Cakes & Bakes
Strawberry and Cream Eclairs Covered with White Chocolate
Let me tell you about my 4 year old…
My baby girl is going to big school in September. Part of me is relieved because being November born, she is very ready to go. But I just can’t imagine what life in the week is going to be like without her. Currently, I pick her up from pre-school at lunch time every day and whilst my youngest sleeps and my eldest is at school we chat over our peanut butter sandwiches about this and that. After lunch we might bake together or go outside where I’ll push her up into the sky on the garden swing and listen to her squeal. Other times she will go up to her room and amuse herself whilst I get on with the chores.
She is so different from my other two both in personality and looks. She often transports herself into her own little world. This sometimes results in selective hearing, but also a big imagination. In ballet she can point her toe perfectly, and she is fearless in the swimming pool. Every morning she takes great pride in choosing what to wear, which will of course include matching accessories. She is well known for her individual sense of style.
She is charming to talk to and I love the way she calls squirrels ‘scribbles’, the seven dwarfs ‘the Hi Ho’s’ and strawberries ‘juicies’. I love her to bits.
Eclair inspiration
The chocolate eclairs that I made today have been inspired by my daughter. I wanted to bake her something which included ‘juicies’ and as I have a new silicone eclair tray to try it seemed the perfect opportunity to combine both. Strawberries and cream are a match made in heaven (and perfect for Wimbledon which starts tomorrow) so where better to put sliced strawberry than in the middle of the eclair? I used white chocolate on top to make them more child friendly and a little bit different from the normal dark chocolate topping.
For my gorgeous 4 year old daughter I made a special eclair with hearts on to let her know she is my little pal. As she ate it we laughed at the chocolate on her nose. Maybe this could be a treat in her new school lunch box from time to time.
| Strawberry and Cream Eclairs Covered with White Chocolate |
|
- 100g plain flour
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 75g unsalted butter diced
- 175ml water
- 3 eggs beaten
- 300ml double cream whipped
- 100g strawberries
- 75g white chocolate melted
- 50g dark chocolate melted (optional)
- 1.5cm plain icing tip
- 1M Wilton icing tip
- 2 Icing bags
- Baking tray lined with non stick paper
- Put the butter, salt and water in a saucepan and heat gently until the butter has melted
- Take off the heat and add the flour all in one go and then beat quickly with a wooden spoon. It will look lumpy at first but will soon turn into a smooth ball
- Transfer into bowl from electric mixer and leave to cool
- Once cooled start to mix pastry with a paddle attachment and add the eggs bit by bit. You should now have a shiny looking paste which is thick enough to pipe and hold it’s shape. Use as soon as possible
- Turn on the oven to 200c/400f/gas 6
- Spoon choux pastry into an icing bag with the plain icing tip
- Pipe out thickish lines of about 10 cm each
- Cook for 15 mins, and do not open the door at all during that time
- After 15 mins get eclairs out of the oven and pierce each one on the bottom to let out steam
- Place back in the oven for 8 more mins
- Once cooked and cooled, slice onto the middle of each eclair horizontally, but be careful not to slice right through
- Fill the eclairs with sliced strawberries and pipe in the cream using the second icing bag and M1 Wilton tip
- Use a palette knife to spread some white chocolate on top of each eclair
- If you want to decorate further put your melted dark chocolate in a freezer bag, snip the end off and drizzle over the top of all the eclairs
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I can also enter my eclairs into 3 ‘strawberry tastic’ blog challenges this month. They are Tea Time Treats hosted by Karen from Lavender and Lovage and Kate from What Kate Baked
There is also the One Ingredient Challenge hosted by Working London Mummy and Laura at How to Cook Good Food. The theme this month is of course Strawberries.
Finally, Simple and in Season from Fabulicious Food but hosted this month by Laura from How to Cook Good Food
Tagged Eclair, inspiration, one ingredient challenge, simple and in season, strawberries and cream, tea time treats, white chocolate eclairs
ChrisJune 24, 2012 at 8:44 pm
Oh, lovely, lovely! I always wanted to make eclairs – but never have so far.
FleurJune 24, 2012 at 9:42 pmAuthor
Do let me know if these have persuaded you to try
Laura@howtocookgoodfoodJune 24, 2012 at 8:49 pm
How lovely you are and your daughter sounds like a gorgeous little girl too. Like you, I have 3 children but my youngest is starting school in September too and also has a November birthday. He is very ready!
I love your recipe and have always had a soft spot for eclairs. My children would be ecstatic to receive these as their after school treat and I love Wimbledon so think these fit the bill perfectly.
Thanks so much for entering into TWO challenges that I am both hosting and co-hosting strangely enough!! x
FleurJune 24, 2012 at 9:22 pmAuthor
It’s tough when they go off to school and I imagine it will be really emotional when my littlest starts, but that’s not for a few years yet. How do you feel about having all yours at school? Nice to have some time on your own I’m sure, but I can imagine it will take a little bit of getting used. I’m so glad you like the recipe. x
JayneJune 24, 2012 at 8:51 pm
Such a sweet post, I really enjoyed reading this. Your eclairs look gorgeous!
FleurJune 24, 2012 at 9:23 pmAuthor
Thank you Jayne. It was lovely to write about her as she is such a treasure. The eclairs were the bonus
JaniceJune 24, 2012 at 9:16 pm
Beautiful post and stunning eclairs.
FleurJune 24, 2012 at 9:37 pmAuthor
Ahh, thank you. x
Made With PinkJune 24, 2012 at 10:39 pm
I love this post – I can’t wait till my little guy can carry a conversation with me to let me know what he’s thinking. Your eclairs look delicious as well! It was great to finally meet you yesterday as well! xx
FleurJune 25, 2012 at 8:48 pmAuthor
Lovely to meet you too
It makes blogging even more fun when you can make friends. When your little man starts talking you will love it. It’s true what they say that kids say the funniest things!
NicJune 25, 2012 at 8:41 am
These look so good! Might have to put in a request next time we are over ;o)
FleurJune 25, 2012 at 8:48 pmAuthor
Consider it done. Very happy to make more of these to share. x
Working London mummyJune 25, 2012 at 7:01 pm
These look super and I totally relate to how your kids can motivate you to be ever more creative with cooking. Thanks for linking to one ingredient
FleurJune 25, 2012 at 8:51 pmAuthor
My children inspire me all the time and baking for them is just one of the ways in which I can express what they mean to me. I really think they appreciate the love that goes into it. x
What Kate BakedJune 25, 2012 at 7:02 pm
What a beautifully written post Fleur- I loved reading you describe the very special time you share with your daughter… and over such tempting treats! Thank you for entering such a delicious recipe into TTT!
FleurJune 25, 2012 at 8:54 pmAuthor
Thank you Kate. It was so lovely to write about her, and as I am partly writing this blog for my children to have and read when they get older, it seemed like a nice idea to talk a little bit about them. Always love entering TTT
cakebouleJune 25, 2012 at 8:24 pm
Brillian photos on this post that rreally show off your beautiful eclairs. I don’t lke them personally but still enjoyed al the images of strawberries and cream! Your daughter looked very happy biting into hers
such as good Mummy and it is good when they inspire us!
Urvashi@BotanicalBakerJune 25, 2012 at 8:52 pm
I love love LOVE these. Perfect flavour combo x
HelenJune 25, 2012 at 9:30 pm
Lovely. My big girl goes to pre-school in Sept. I don’t know where the time went! Her baby sibling will arrive in Oct and all will be different again…
Great looking eclairs too.
Laura loves cakesJune 26, 2012 at 5:52 pm
These look entirely delicious…I love eclairs…I love the twist with the white chocolate and strawberries too!
Alison BembenekJune 26, 2012 at 8:58 pm
Aww lovely post. It brought a little tear to my eye.
I just love my little Olivia. Eclairs look fab too. Xx
Jacqui AtkinsonJune 27, 2012 at 9:54 am
Can’t believe Olivia is off to school in Sept – where does the time go? Beautifully written article about a beautiful little girl, yet again you are an inspiration Fleur xx
AngelaCJune 27, 2012 at 11:00 am
These looks absolutely scrumptious! Very Summery too, yummy!
Karen Burns BoothJune 27, 2012 at 3:35 pm
I remember when my Hannah first started school, I was bereft….but, I soon got into an after school club routine, still baked together and played together! Lovely entry for TTT thanks Fleur, and she will be JUST fine I am sure! Karen
JayneJune 27, 2012 at 8:41 pm
Many congratulations on making the Foodies100 top ten! Very well deserved!
FleurJune 28, 2012 at 12:13 pmAuthor
Thank you SO much to everybody for your lovely comments. It has made my week.
LottieJune 28, 2012 at 9:37 pm
These look fantastic! And such a lovely post!
ChocletteJuly 1, 2012 at 8:51 am
Your daughter sounds charming and those eclairs are possibly the best I’ve ever seen – lovely.
bakingaddictJuly 2, 2012 at 4:26 pm
What a lovely post. Your daughter is so lucky to have you for a mum – I’m sure she will read this in many years time and be extremely touched. As for the eclairs – they look amazing!! Love eclairs!