Chocolate Eclairs

Instructions

Vanilla Pastry Cream

1. In a saucepan combine the sugar, flour and salt. Gradually stir in milk. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until mixture starts to boil. Cook for 2 minutes more.
2. Remove from burner. Stir a small quantity of the hot mixture into the beaten egg yolks, and immediately add egg yolk mixture to the hot mixture in the saucepan. Cook for 2 more minutes, stirring constantly.
3. Remove from heat and stir in butter and vanilla. Transfer pudding mixture to a medium bowl. Cover with plastic; refrigerate until well chilled, about 1 hour or overnight.
4. When vanilla pudding is chilled, whip cream to form soft peaks and gentle fold in to vanilla pudding. Keep covered and chilled until ready to use.

Eclair Shells

1. Preheat the oven to 425°. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper. In a large saucepan, bring the water, butter, salt and sugar to a boil over medium-high heat. Remove saucepan from heat. Add flour all at once. Stir until all the flour is moistened, about 1 minute. Return to heat and cook, stirring constantly, for another 1 to 2 minutes until dough forms a smooth ball.
2. Scrape the mixture into a mixer fitted with a paddle attachment (or use a hand mixer). Mix at medium speed. With the mixer running, add 3 eggs, 1 egg at a time. Stop mixing after each addition to scrape down the sides of the bowl. Mix until the dough is smooth and glossy and the eggs are completely incorporated. The dough should be thick, but should fall slowly and steadily from the beaters when you lift them out of the bowl. If the dough is still clinging to the beaters, add the remaining 1 egg and mix until incorporated.
3. Using a pastry bag fitted with a large plain tip, pipe fat lengths of dough (about the size and shape of a jumbo hot dog) onto the lined baking sheet, leaving 2 inches of space between them. You should have 8 to 10 lengths.
4. Use your fingers to smooth out any bumps of points of dough that remain on the surface. Bake 15 minutes, then reduce the heat to 375° and bake until puffed up and light golden brown, about 25 minutes more. Try not to open the oven door too often during the baking. Let cool on the baking sheet.
5. Fit a medium-size plain pastry tip over your index finger and use it to make a hole in the end of each eclair (or just use your fingertip). Using a pastry bag fitted with a medium-size plain tip, gently pipe the custard into the eclairs, using only just enough to fill the inside (don't overfill them.)

Fudgy Chocolate Icing

1. Place 8 oz. finely chopped milk chocolate in a small glass bowl; set aside.
2. Microwave 1/4 cup heavy cream, 2 Tbsp. butter, and 2 Tbsp. light corn syrup in a small microwave-safe bowl at HIGH 45 seconds or just until it starts to boil. Stir until butter is melted.
3. Pour hot cream mixture over chocolate; let stand 3 minutes.
4. Whisk until chocolate is melted and smooth. Microwave at MEDIUM (50% power) 15 more seconds, if necessary.
5. Chill 30 minutes or until the icing is thick and spreadable, stirring occasionally.