Miniature Chocolate Eclairs


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Miniature Chocolate Eclairs


No store-bought eclairs can compare to these bit-size pastries with their rich chocolate center.

Filling
1 package (about 3 1/2 ounces) chocolate pudding and pie filling.
2 cups milk

Pastry
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
1 cup of water
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 cup all-purpose flour
4 medium eggs

Frosting
2 tablespoons butter
2 ounces (2 squares) semisweet chocolate
1 cup confectioners’ sugar
2 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1. To prepare filling, cook pudding according to package directions. Chill for 1 hour.
2. To prepare pastry, in a heavy saucepan, heat butter, water, and salt over medium-high heat until mixture boils and butter melts.
3. Reduce heat to low. Vigorously stir in flour all at once until mixture forms a ball.
4. Transfer pastry to a bowl; cool for 5 minutes. Stir in eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition.
5. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease a baking sheet. Drop dough into 12 mounds, about 5 inches apart, on prepared baking sheet.
6. Spread each mound into a 4x1/2 inch retangle, piling dough on top and slightly rounding sides.
7. Bake until golden, 35 minutes. Remove from oven; make a 1-inch-long slit on side of each eclair. Reduce oven temperature to 375 degrees. Bake for 10 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.
8. To prepare frosting, heat butter and chocolate over low heat, strirring until melted. Remove from heat. Stir in sugar, milk and vanilla until smooth.
9. Slice eclairs in half. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of filling onto each bottom half and replace tops. Spread tops with frosting.