Description
Delicate cotton candy cloud eclairs bring whimsical French pastry magic to dessert tables with playful pastel swirls. Delightful cream puffs dance between elegant technique and childhood nostalgia, inviting you to savor each magical bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Pastry Ingredients:
- 1 cup (120 g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup (113 g) unsalted butter
- 1 cup (240 ml) water
- 4 large eggs
- 1/4 teaspoon (1.5 g) salt
Filling Ingredients:
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
- 1/2 cup (60 g) powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) vanilla extract
Topping Ingredients:
- 1 cup (50 g) cotton candy (fluff)
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 400F (200C), preparing a pristine baking environment for delicate pastry creation.
- In a robust saucepan, merge water, butter, and salt, bringing the liquid mixture to a vigorous boil.
- Remove from heat and swiftly incorporate flour, stirring energetically until the mixture detaches cleanly from pan surfaces.
- Allow the mixture to cool slightly, then introduce eggs individually, blending thoroughly after each addition to achieve a silky, uniform texture.
- Strategically line a baking sheet with parchment paper, creating a non-stick foundation for precise pastry formation.
- Transfer the choux pastry into a piping bag fitted with a generous round tip, carefully crafting 4-inch elongated shapes with consistent spacing.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, monitoring until eclairs transform into golden, puffy pillows of perfection. Cool completely before further manipulation.
- Whip heavy cream in a spacious mixing bowl, developing soft, billowing peaks with gentle, consistent motion.
- Gradually fold powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and cotton candy into the cream, creating a whimsical, airy filling.
- Delicately slice a small opening along each eclair’s side, then skillfully pipe the cotton candy cream until completely filled.
- Artfully arrange the filled eclairs, optionally embellishing with delicate cotton candy wisps for an enchanting presentation.
Notes
- Choux pastry requires exact measurements and careful technique, so use a kitchen scale for accuracy and follow each step meticulously.
- Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature to help create a smooth, consistent pastry dough that rises beautifully.
- Add eggs gradually and mix thoroughly to prevent separation, which can lead to a dense, heavy pastry texture.
- Keep eclairs crisp by cooling them completely before filling and storing them in an airtight container to prevent sogginess.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 183 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 73 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 97 mg