Frugal Desserts: Easy Eclair Recipe
I have to confess that when I got married, I didn’t know how to cook, which is pretty unusual for an Eastern European woman. I ruined quite a few recipes before I learned how to make even the most basic things. This éclair recipe was one of very few things that I didn’t screw up and the taste….. You have to try them yourself.
These éclairs became my signature desert and 8 people out of 10 ask me for the recipe (the remaining 2 are probably just shy). They are very easy to make and have only a few basic ingredients, which surprises many people. They would usually take a bite, make big eyes, followed by a sound of deep satisfaction and say: “Wow, these are good. What’s in them?” I guess they expect I use some rare Russian ingredients which they can’t pronounce, because when I name only a few ingredients which can be found in almost every American home, they don’t believe me.
So to make your own delicious éclairs and see that I am not lying, you need:
1 cup of flour, 1 cup of water, butter, 5 eggs, a can of condensed milk, a little bit of salt and some patience.
For the dough:
Boil 1 stick of butter with 1 cup of water and a little bit of salt. When it starts boiling, add 1 cup of flour, reduce the temperature and mix until the dough forms. (I usually use a wooden spoon)
Let it cool down a little.
Add eggs to the dough. One at a time. The recipe says you should add an egg and mix it clockwise (don’t ask me why) until the dough “eats” it. Then add another one.
Take a teaspoon and a cup of cold water. If you dip the spoon in cold water, it will be easier for you to grab the dough. Place pieces of dough on a baking sheet (using a teaspoon). Make sure to leave space between them, because they triple in size.
I usually bake them on 375 for 20 minutes or so, but you better check them occasionally. Don’t open the door of your oven too frequently or they wouldn’t rise.
For the filling: Mix1-2 sticks of butter with a can of condensed milk. (I use blender)
Fill the éclairs with cream. You can cut the top, or make a hole with a teaspoon.
This is probably the easiest éclair recipe you can find. Enjoy!
eclair
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Hi,last time I made Eclair’s I was 12 years old and now 35 years later I made this Eclair for the first time and it was a huge HIT.Everyone asked when can I make it again.. Thanks a bunch. Do you hapen to have an easy recipe for a Russian Pelimeni ( not sure how to spell that). Looking forward to see more of your ideas…
Hugs. from Seattle WA
Glad it worked out for you.
As far as pelmeni go, I rarely make them because it is very time consuming, not to mention, messy
. When my kids are older, making them will hopefully become our “family” activity. Right now, they just want to play with flour.
If you speak Russian, here is my favorite website to find different Russian recipes.: http://www.good-cook.ru/vtoroe/vtoroe_082.shtml
If you don’t speak Russian, here is a relatively easy pelmeni recipe in English: http://www.ruscuisine.com/recipes/breads-and-pastry/dumplings/n–524
And here is a Russian cooking blog by a Russian girl, who writes in English. Lots of goodies in here: http://natashaskitchen.com/
Hope this helps!
Nata
I have almost the same story as Marina. Last time I made eclairs was like 30 years ago, at the home economics class in Russia (don’t you miss those “uroki truda”?) for some reason I just craved eclairs all of the sudden, searched on the Internet, did not really appreciate the complexity of an American recipe, so I typed “Russian eclairs” and voilà, I got yours. I made them accordingly and they turned out excellent. I was so happy. My son and I had a feast. So, I am making a bunch again today for my friend’s party. Thanks Frugal!
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