Daring Bakers Chocolate Eclairs Recipe: August Challenge

                                              

Chocolate Eclairs: Daring Bakers August Challenge
 All of you who know me, know that I had a bakery way back when. I don't say that to boast, just to say that I've made my share of eclairs over the years. So, when The Daring Bakers Challenge came Chocolate Eclairs, I said, YAY! Finally, something I can make! The last 3 challenges have been way out of my ability to accomplish on a boat.

Cheesecake Pops
When I joined The Daring Bakers back in April, my first challenge was Cheesecake Pops. Piece of Cake! They came out great! Check out my link to see how cute they were. It was tough doing those on a boat too, mostly because I didn't have a freezer and had to "borrow" one. Then I hit a road block.

                                                            

Opera Cake
The second challenge in May was Opera Cake, and while I could have pulled it off in the bakery no sweat, it just wasn't happening on a boat! This recipe had 5 components and I just did not have the refrigeration, freezer or counter space to construct one of these cakes. OK, so I missed one. I'll catch up next month. HAH!

                                                                               

Danish Braid
The Daring Bakers third challenge in June was a Danish Braid! WHAT? How can I make Danish with a hand held mixer? To further complicate things, I had no working oven! So, now what do I do? No mixer and no oven. Unless I made and kneaded the dough by hand and baked it under the hood on top of the car's manifold, I wasn't making the Danish Braid either! OK, so I'll catch up next month. DOUBLE HAH!

                                        

 

 Filbert Gateau with Praline Buttercream
Here it was, the middle of an extremely hot & humid July, and someone decides that a Filbert Gateau with Praline Buttercream would be a heavenly Christmas Cake in the dead of summer. HELLO??? This recipe had like 8 separate recipes that needed to be made before assembly was even attempted! No way, no how. Couldn't do it, even if I wanted to. I later read that the poor host that month got lots of backlash for choosing such a recipe, but in her defense, Mele Cotte says, "For those who were not pleased, I wish I could have pleased everyone. Really! But, there's simply no way." OK, so I missed another one. I'll catch up next month. YES???

                                                                              

Chocolate Eclair Recipe
So, here we are at the end of August. I've missed three in a row and I was in danger of getting the ax. You can imagine my relief when finally, a challenge that I could participate in. I know some of the currently over 1000+ members are new to Pâte à Choux and were a little scared, but really, it is an easy recipe. After all the HUGE recipes before it, with multiple components, the Choclate Eclair Recipe only has three ~ 1) Pâte à Choux, (2) Pastry Cream, and (3) Chocolate glaze. We were also given a good amount of leeway with this challenge too.

                                                        

Our hosts this month were Tony and Meeta K. The recipe of choice was Chocolate Eclairs from a Dorie Greenspan book;  Chocolate Desserts By Pierre Hermé. Meeta also manages her own blog "What's For Lunch Honey" and also "The Daily Tiffin", which I will be contributing to in the near future. YAY! Meeta!  

I'm not writing the whole recipe out for you, because it looks very long and drawn out and would probably take up half my blog! It really isn't though, it just has lots of useful information and tips in it. I'm sure if you were to make these a second time, it would come right back to you. Kinda like riding a bicycle! Thanks again to Tony and Meeta K. for choosing this recipe. Not only can you find the recipe by going to Meeta's blog, but she also included a great section titled "Éclairs 101: Tips & Tricks"

Check out The Daring Bakers blogroll for more Eclair treats!

                                                                                 

Comments

[Rebecca]

Your experience shows. Nice puffy dough and perfect glaze. Aren't there any splatter shots anywhere on this blog? ;)

[Tanya]

Great job on your eclairs - they look fantastic! I felt the same way when I heard about this challenge. A wave of relief came over me because eclairs are something I know I can do!

[Heather B]

Great eclairs! Very tasty looking!

[Liliana]

Your éclairs look sooo good. Wish I could reach out and grab one!

Great photos Donna!

[Di]

I'm glad we finally had a recipe that worked for you! Your eclairs look yummy. I'm amazed that you make as much as you do in your limited kitchen. =)

[Barbara]

I love the picture of them on the tray waiting to go into the oven. They look delicious!

[Nan]

Hi! It's been a while since I've checked in and I'm so glad I did - I just got finished catching up with everything and all I can say is I hope you're taking it easy this Labor Day because you've earned it! Got to make me some eclairs!!

[Gail S.]

Just one word....YUMMY!!!!!

[Mary C. Anderson]

Would you mind giving up your wonderful life on your new boat and come live right next door to me? No, well a woman can hope right? Oh my gosh these eclairs look divine. I must not visit your blog when it is almost midnight and I am hungry. LOL.

Mary