Mini éclairs with coffee cream (Sensational recipes)

Mini éclairs with coffee cream – a quick and delicious dessert

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Baking time: 30 minutes
Total: 1 hour
Number of servings: 16 mini éclairs

Welcome to the world of delicious mini éclairs! These little delights are perfect for bringing a touch of joy to any moment of the day. Éclairs originate from pastry tradition, and today I will guide you step by step in preparing this refined yet simple recipe that combines fluffy dough with delightful coffee cream.

Ingredients

For the dough:
- 150 ml water
- 40 ml oil (choose a neutral-flavored oil, such as sunflower oil)
- 100 g flour (type 000 flour is ideal for a finer dough)
- 3 large eggs
- A pinch of salt

For the cream:
- 500 ml milk (whole milk will give a richer cream)
- 5 tablespoons of sugar
- 3 egg yolks
- Seeds from one vanilla pod (or 1 teaspoon of quality vanilla extract)
- 1 packet of vanilla sugar
- 3 teaspoons of coffee (adjustable to taste)
- 50 g cornstarch (ensures a creamy texture)

For the glaze:
- Melted chocolate, white and dark (or milk, depending on preferences)

Preparation steps

Step 1: Preparing the éclairs

1. In a saucepan, add 150 ml of water, 40 ml of oil, and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally.

2. Once the water is boiling, add 100 g of flour all at once. Stir vigorously with a spatula or wooden spoon. You will notice that the dough will pull away from the walls of the saucepan, forming a compact ball.

3. Let the dough cool for about 10 minutes. It is important not to add the eggs to the hot dough, otherwise they will coagulate.

4. Once the dough has cooled, gradually add one egg at a time, mixing well after each addition. The dough should become shiny and elastic. This is the secret to achieving fluffy éclairs.

5. Line a large baking tray (40/30 cm) with parchment paper. Using a piping bag or a plastic bag with a cut tip, shape mini éclairs of 4 cm in length on the tray. Arrange them spaced apart, as they will puff up during baking.

6. Preheat the oven to 200°C and place the éclairs inside. Bake for about 20 minutes or until golden. After this time, leave the oven slightly open for another 10 minutes to allow steam to escape, which will help maintain the crispiness of the shells.

Step 2: Preparing the coffee cream

1. In a saucepan, add 500 ml of milk, the vanilla seeds, and 5 tablespoons of sugar. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring frequently to prevent sticking.

2. In a separate bowl, mix 3 egg yolks with 3 teaspoons of coffee, 50 g of cornstarch, and the remaining 100 ml of milk. Make sure there are no lumps by mixing vigorously.

3. Once the milk starts to boil, gradually pour it in a thin stream over the egg yolk mixture, stirring continuously to prevent coagulation.

4. Place the mixture over low heat and, stirring constantly, allow it to thicken until it becomes pudding-like. When ready, transfer it to a bowl and let it cool completely.

Step 3: Assembling the mini éclairs

1. After the éclairs have completely cooled, cut them in half horizontally, being careful not to break them.

2. Fill each éclair with the cooled coffee cream using a spoon or piping bag.

3. Finally, melt the chosen chocolate (white or dark) and glaze each éclair. You can also make decorative patterns with chocolate of different colors to give them a festive look.

Serving and suggestions

These mini éclairs with coffee cream are perfect for serving at a party, as a dessert at dinner, or simply to indulge in on an ordinary day. You can pair them with freshly brewed coffee or a fragrant tea, which will perfectly complement the intense flavor of the coffee cream.

Practical tips

- If you want to make a larger quantity of éclairs, feel free to double the ingredients. They will keep well in an airtight container, but it is best to consume them fresh.
- You can experiment with different flavors in the cream by adding cocoa, almond essence, or even a splash of rum for a more interesting taste.
- If you want the mini éclairs to have a crispier texture, bake them at a lower temperature for a longer period.

Nutritional information

Each mini éclair contains approximately 120 calories, depending on the amount of sugar and chocolate used. They are a good source of carbohydrates, and the coffee cream adds a dose of antioxidants due to the coffee.

Now that you have all the necessary information, it’s time to put your cooking skills into action! I wish you good luck and enjoy making these mini éclairs with coffee cream!