Ingredients
Shells (Pate a Choux):
- 1/3 cup water
- 1/3 cup milk
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 2/3 cup flour
- 3 eggs one at a time
Easy Lemon Cream Filling:
- 1 cup Lemon Creme pie filling about 10oz
- 1 fresh lemon juice and zest
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
Simple Chocolate Ganache:
- 1/4 cup chocolate chips milk or semi sweet, which ever you prefer
- 2 Tbs whipping cream
Method
Shells (Pate a Choux):
- In a large saucepan bring to boil, water, milk, butter, salt, and sugar.
- Once butter is melted, reduce heat to low, add flour, and stir vigorously.
- Remove from heat. Let cool to 125-135 degrees (hot to the touch but not burning).
- Add eggs, one at a time. Incorporate completely before adding the next egg. Mixture should be a soft paste that will still hold its shape.
- Using a plastic piping coupler or piping tip of your choice (large opening) and Ziploc bag. Pipe 12 3-4 inch logs of paste onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. (Shells will puff to be about 4-5 inches long).
- Bake at 425°F 15 minutes then REDUCE the heat to 375 for 12-14 minutes until the shell is golden brown and hollow inside.
- Cool completely before filling.
Easy Lemon Cream Filling:
- In a bowl, add lemon creme filling, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Blend until fully incorporated.
- In a large bowl, whip heavy whipping cream to stiff peaks. Do not over whip or it will turn into butter.
- Fold in lemon mixture.
Simple Chocolate Ganache:
- In a microwave safe bowl, mix chocolate chips and whipping cream. Heat chocolate mixture for 30 seconds at a time (may have to be heated twice). Stir between heating sessions until chocolate and cream are fully incorporated.
Finishing Eclairs:
- Using a bag with round piping tip, carefully insert tip into cooled shell. Fill slowly until shell is full.
- Dip top of filled shells into chocolate ganache. Place in fridge to help chocolate set.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate.
Video
Notes
- Best if served fresh but can be frozen for later enjoyment. If frozen, allow lemon eclairs to come to room temperature before serving.
- Use a wet butter knife to cut the paste after every log is made or wet your finger and pat any peaks that may have formed before baking.
- This recipe can easily be doubled. Shells will have to be baked in two sessions. Lemon creme comes in a 21oz can which makes doubling very easy and worthwhile if you don't have another recipe to use leftover lemon filling.
