Loving swans

Loving Swans - a quick and romantic dessert

If you want to impress someone special with an elegant and delicious dessert, Loving Swans are the perfect choice. These beloved éclairs, filled with fine cream and whipped cream, are not only a delight for the taste buds but also a visual spectacle. Whether it's for a Valentine's Day dinner or a sweet surprise for a special occasion, this simple recipe will help you achieve an extraordinary result.

Total time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 30 minutes
Number of servings: 12 swans

Ingredients:
For the éclair dough:
- 250 ml water
- 100 g butter
- 150 g flour
- 4 eggs
- 1 pinch of salt

For the vanilla cream:
- 500 ml milk
- 4 egg yolks
- 100 g sugar
- 40 g cornstarch
- 1 vanilla essence

For the whipped cream:
- 300 ml heavy cream
- 2-3 tablespoons powdered sugar

For decoration:
- Powdered sugar for sprinkling

Step-by-step preparation:

1. Start with the éclair dough. In a saucepan, bring the water to a boil along with the butter and a pinch of salt. Once the butter has completely melted, add the flour all at once and quickly mix with a spatula. Continue to cook on low heat, stirring constantly, until the dough pulls away from the sides of the saucepan and forms a compact ball, about 2-3 minutes.

2. Let the dough cool slightly, then add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. The dough should be smooth and homogeneous, with a softer consistency but not runny.

3. Preheat the oven to 200°C. Use a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Using a piping bag or a spoon, shape the swans - for each swan, make two bodies (the larger part for the body and a smaller part for the neck).

4. Bake the dough for 25-30 minutes until golden and crispy. Let them cool completely.

5. Meanwhile, prepare the vanilla cream. In a saucepan, bring the milk to a boil. In a bowl, mix the egg yolks with the sugar and cornstarch. When the milk has boiled, gradually pour it over the yolk mixture, stirring continuously to avoid curdling. Then, return the mixture to low heat and cook until it thickens. Add the vanilla essence and let it cool.

6. Whip the heavy cream with powdered sugar until firm. Carefully fold the whipped cream into the cooled vanilla cream.

7. Assemble the swans: carefully cut the éclairs in half. Fill each half with the vanilla cream and add a bit of whipped cream. Position the top half to form the swan's neck.

8. Decorate with powdered sugar and, if desired, you can add melted chocolate for an extra touch of elegance.

Practical tips:
- Make sure the éclair dough is well mixed to avoid air bubbles.
- If you want to add a different flavor, you can replace the vanilla essence with almond essence.
- These swans can also be filled with chocolate cream or a fruit mixture, offering delicious variations.

Serving suggestion: Serve them alongside a berry sauce or a scoop of ice cream for a perfect contrast and an unforgettable culinary experience.

These Loving Swans are not just a quick dessert but also a true culinary work of art, perfect for celebrating love! Savor every bite and let yourself be carried away by their delicate flavors.