If you are craving a dessert that is both elegant and delightfully indulgent, this Raspberry and Cream Éclairs Recipe will become your new go-to treat. These delicate French pastries combine light, crisp choux pastry shells filled with luscious whipped cream and tangy raspberry preserves, creating a beautiful balance of flavors that will impress any sweet tooth. Whether for a special occasion or a cozy afternoon delight, these éclairs bring sophistication and comfort together in every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Raspberry and Cream Éclairs Recipe is in the simplicity and quality of its ingredients. Each one plays an essential role in delivering the perfect texture, flavor, and visual appeal of your éclairs, from the flaky choux to the vibrantly sweet raspberry filling.
- Water: Provides moisture that helps create steam for the pâte à choux to puff beautifully.
- Whole milk: Adds richness and tenderness to the dough for a tender bite.
- Unsalted butter: Enhances flavor and contributes to the dough’s structure and flakiness.
- Granulated sugar: Adds a touch of sweetness to balance the dough and filling.
- Salt: Elevates the overall taste by enhancing the flavors.
- All-purpose flour: The backbone of your choux pastry that creates structure when cooked.
- Large eggs: Essential for the dough’s rise and that glossy, light texture.
- Heavy cream: Whipped to fluffy perfection for the creamy filling.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens the whipped cream without graininess.
- Vanilla extract: Brings warmth and depth to the cream filling.
- Raspberry preserves or seedless raspberry jam: Adds vibrant fruitiness and a burst of tangy-sweet flavor inside each éclair.
- Fresh raspberries: For a gorgeous garnish and an extra fresh pop of flavor.
How to Make Raspberry and Cream Éclairs Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Choux Pastry Dough
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper to ensure your éclairs don’t stick. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine water, whole milk, butter, sugar, and salt, bringing the mixture to a gentle boil. This blend of liquids and butter will create the perfect base for your dough’s rise and richness.
Step 2: Incorporate the Flour
Once boiling, remove the pan from heat and add all the flour at once, stirring vigorously. This step is where the heat from the pan and moisture come together to form a smooth dough. Put the pan back on low heat, cooking and stirring constantly until the dough pulls away from the sides. This ensures the flour is fully cooked and the dough’s texture is just right for the next steps.
Step 3: Beat in the Eggs
Transfer the dough to a bowl and let it cool for about five minutes to prevent scrambling the eggs. Then, beat in the eggs one at a time until the mixture is smooth and has a glossy sheen. These eggs are what create that signature lightness and help your éclairs puff up perfectly during baking.
Step 4: Pipe and Bake the Éclairs
Using a piping bag, shape 4-inch logs of dough onto your prepared baking sheet. Bake at 400°F for 25 minutes to encourage puffing, then reduce the temperature to 350°F and bake for another 10 minutes until the éclairs are golden and crisp. Resist the urge to open the oven early so they rise just right. Once baked, allow the éclairs to cool completely to set their shape and texture.
Step 5: Make the Whipped Cream Filling
While the pastry cools, whip the cold heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until it holds stiff peaks. This airy filling is what makes these éclairs so irresistibly creamy and delicious, perfectly complementing the tart raspberry preserves.
Step 6: Assemble the Éclairs
Carefully slice each éclair lengthwise. Spread a generous layer of raspberry preserves or seedless jam on the bottom half, then pipe or spoon the fresh whipped cream over the jam. Close with the top halves, creating a beautiful contrast between the golden pastry, the vibrant red jam, and the snowy cream.
How to Serve Raspberry and Cream Éclairs Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh raspberries scattered on top are not just for show—they add a pop of juicy freshness and a pleasant textural contrast to each éclair. Dusting a little powdered sugar over the finished éclairs adds an elegant touch of sweetness and sparkle that will wow your guests.
Side Dishes
These éclairs pair beautifully with a cup of light, floral tea like jasmine or earl grey, which balances the sweet and creamy richness. If you’re serving this as part of a dessert spread, consider fresh berries or a simple fruit salad alongside to echo the raspberry notes and keep things vibrant on the palate.
Creative Ways to Present
For a party or special occasion, arrange the éclairs on a tiered cake stand with scattered edible flower petals or a drizzle of melted chocolate for added flair. You can even experiment by adding a thin layer of white chocolate ganache between the jam and whipped cream for a luxurious twist that’s sure to impress.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
While these delightful Raspberry and Cream Éclairs Recipe creations are best enjoyed fresh the same day, leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one day. Because of the whipped cream filling, they can become soggy if kept too long, so try to savor them promptly.
Freezing
Freezing filled éclairs is not recommended due to the delicate whipped cream, which loses texture when thawed. However, the baked pastry shells freeze well before filling. Freeze them in an airtight container for up to one month, then thaw and fill fresh when ready to serve.
Reheating
To refresh the crispness of your éclairs shells after refrigeration, warm them gently in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes before filling. Avoid reheating once filled, as the cream will melt and lose its shape, impacting the overall texture and enjoyment.
FAQs
Can I substitute the raspberry preserves with another fruit jam?
Absolutely! While raspberry preserves provide a wonderful balance of tartness and sweetness, you can swap in strawberry, blackberry, or even apricot jam depending on your taste preferences. Just keep in mind this will subtly change the flavor profile of your éclairs.
What if I don’t have a piping bag?
If you don’t have a piping bag, don’t worry! You can use a sturdy plastic zip-top bag and snip a small corner off to pipe the dough and whipped cream. It’s a simple hack that works perfectly well for shaping and filling your éclairs.
Is there a way to make these éclairs vegan or dairy-free?
Traditional éclairs rely on eggs and dairy for their unique texture and flavor, so vegan versions require special substitutions like aquafaba for eggs and coconut cream for whipping. It can be done, but it takes some experimentation. For the classic taste in this Raspberry and Cream Éclairs Recipe, the original ingredients really shine.
How long does it take to make this recipe from start to finish?
The total time for the Raspberry and Cream Éclairs Recipe is about 1 hour and 5 minutes, including preparation and baking. This is a fairly quick process given the delicate nature of these pastries, making them achievable even on a weekend afternoon.
Can I make the whipped cream filling ahead of time?
You can whip the cream a few hours ahead and keep it covered in the refrigerator. Just give it a quick whisk before assembling if it starts to lose volume. For the best texture and flavor, however, filling and serving on the same day is ideal.
Final Thoughts
This Raspberry and Cream Éclairs Recipe is truly a showstopper that is easier to master than you might think. With its crisp, golden shells filled with fruity, creamy goodness, it’s a dessert that will bring smiles whether you’re sharing with loved ones or treating yourself. Give this recipe a try and enjoy the delicious taste of classic French elegance right in your own kitchen!
Print
Raspberry and Cream Éclairs Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 10 éclairs
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Raspberry and Cream Éclairs feature crisp choux pastry shells filled with sweet raspberry preserves and fluffy vanilla whipped cream, topped with fresh raspberries for an elegant French dessert perfect for special occasions or indulgent treats.
Ingredients
Choux Pastry
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 large eggs, at room temperature
Filling
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream, cold
- 1/3 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup raspberry preserves or seedless raspberry jam
Garnish
- 1 cup fresh raspberries
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Make Choux Pastry Dough: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the water, milk, unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and salt. Bring to a gentle boil. Remove from heat and immediately add the flour all at once, stirring vigorously until a smooth dough forms.
- Cook the Dough: Return the pan to low heat and cook the dough for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring constantly until it pulls away from the sides of the pan and forms a smooth ball.
- Cool and Add Eggs: Transfer the dough to a mixing bowl and let it cool for about 5 minutes. Beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. The dough should become smooth, shiny, and slightly sticky.
- Pipe the Éclairs: Using a piping bag fitted with a large round tip, pipe 4-inch long logs of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them evenly to allow for expansion during baking.
- Bake the Éclairs: Bake in the preheated oven at 400°F for 25 minutes without opening the oven door. Then, reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) and bake for an additional 10 minutes for a deep golden color and crisp shells. Remove from oven and cool completely.
- Whip the Cream Filling: In a chilled bowl, whip the cold heavy cream with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form, ensuring a light and fluffy texture.
- Assemble the Éclairs: Carefully slice each éclair lengthwise. Spread a generous layer of raspberry preserves on the bottom half, pipe or spoon the whipped cream over the jam, and place the top half back on.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish each éclair with fresh raspberries on top before serving for a fresh burst of flavor and beautiful presentation.
Notes
- Do not open the oven during the first 25 minutes of baking to ensure the éclairs puff properly and don’t collapse.
- Éclairs are best enjoyed fresh on the same day they are filled to preserve the crispness of the pastry.
- For best results, use eggs at room temperature to help create a smooth batter and better rise.
- You can substitute raspberry preserves with any berry jam of your choice to vary flavors.
