Eclairs

I found this recipe on Pinterest (http://hiddenponies.com/2012/03/first-on-the-first-eclairs/)

They really were easy to make and taste just like they came from a bakery. 

Ingredients: 

Dough:

1/2 cup butter

1 cup water

1 cup flour

1/4 tsp salt

4 eggs

Filling:

1 small package of instant vanilla pudding

2 cups milk

1 cup heavy cream

1/4 cup powdered sugar

1 tsp vanilla

1/4 tsp salt

Chocolate topping:

1/3 cup chocolate chips

2 Tbsp butter

1 cup powdered sugar

1 tsp vanilla

2 Tbsp hot water

Start by boiling 1 cup of water and 1/2 cup butter in a saucepan. Reduce heat to low and add 1 cup of flour and 1/4 tsp. salt and stir. 

Remove from the heat. While stirring vigorously with a wooden spoon, add the eggs, one at a time. Stir well after each addition. 

Place the dough in a ziploc bag. Cut the tip off the end of the bag and pipe the dough on a greased baking pan. 

Bake at 450 degrees for 15 minutes. Then turn the oven down to 325 degrees and bake for another 15-20 minutes. 

Immediately poke a hole through each eclair. (I used a wooden skewer.) This hole will be used to let the steam out of the eclair and will serve as a spot to add the filling. Let the eclairs cool for about 30 minutes. 

Meanwhile, make the filling. 

Using a hand mixer, whip 1 cup heavy cream until soft peaks form. Add 1/4 cup powdered sugar, 1 tsp vanilla, and 1/4 tsp salt. 

In a separate bowl, mix the pudding and milk and let it set. 

Fold the whipped cream in with the pudding. 

Place the filling in a ziplock bag and cut the tip off the bottom of the bag. Pipe the filling in the pastry. 

For the chocolate topping: Melt 1/3 cup chocolate chips and 2 Tbsp butter in the microwave. Add 1 cup powdered sugar, 1 tsp vanilla, and 2 Tbsp hot water.

Spread chocolate on top of the pastry.