Today, hundreds of Daring Bakers are posting August’s challenge: the Chocolate Eclairs found in Chocolate Desserts by Pierre Hermé.
The challenge required making cream puff dough, pastry cream, chocolate glaze and chocolate sauce (created so seven tablespoons of sauce could be used to make the glaze); piping and baking the dough; naming a vice presidential nominee; learning the Yes Dance; and assembling the eclairs. Separately, the components aren’t difficult, but the overall process requires some coordination. Like an orgy.
[ad name=”break”]So, how are the eclairs? I think they’re a little eggy, but Jeff says he’s going to systematically eat every single one. Especially the ones with toffee bits. It’s a good thing I cut the recipe in half.
For the recipe, visit Tony Tahhan.
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Your eclairs look delicious – nice pictures! I love the toffee chips!
The toffee bits are a great idea!! Yum.
By the way, I love your layout!
I agree about the eggy thing. Apt. Nice photos, too!
These look great! I love the addition of toffee!
Uh, you forgot the step where you need to hop on one foot, cluck like a chicken and simultaneously pat your head while rubbing your stomach. :)
Seriously though, your eclairs look amazing. Anything with toffee bits is a win for me!
Your eclairs look great. Awesome job!
Gorgeous! And I second the eggy comment, I was dreaming of a breakfast sandwich when they came out of the oven :)
Beautiful eclairs! I like the toffee bits on top. Great challenge.
Beautiful! And toffee bits – talk about making perfect even better :)
toffee bits- genius!
toffee bits- genius! great job!
Rebecca that is fabulous looking glaze! I’m jealous!
Toffee bits would win my heart as well!
Love the toffee bits too! Your eclairs are gorgeous- nice glaze!
xo
oh the toffee bits sound delicious on eclairs! Great job!
My eyes immediately gravitated towards the toffee topped eclair. YUMM
Love the idea of the toffee bits! I’m sure they added a nice crunch to the eclair
wow, they looks so good!! Your glaze is super glossy. The toffee bits look great. We dont have those in NZ
They look great! I don’t know about tasting eggy, what with my tossed out eclairs…but they sure did *smell* eggy while baking!
Your eclairs look delicious! Great job! I love that you sprinkled toffee bits on top. Yum!
Your eclairs looks feb! I went with vanilla cream too. It’s my favorite. The toffee bits are a great touch.
Your eclairs look great. I wish I’d thought of a garnish for mine, but I was lucky to get them done at all…
Wow, what a beautiful video link. Thanks. :)
Your éclairs are very nicely coordinated.
Yum. That’s all.
I’m glad I’m not the only one that thought there were too many steps for a fairly simple pastry! Lovely eclairs!
Beautiful! I love them, the nuts look very very yummy :)
Love the toffee bits! Wish I had used those yumm. Great job!
toffee was brilliant..I am taking notes as I hit everyone’s blogs..LOL!
Toffee bits!?! Okay, now I’m getting excited to try making these damn things again, haha. With toffee bits. Mmm.
What perfect éclairs! And cute blog too by the way! ;)
I thought they were a little eggy too, but still yummy.
Your eclairs look fabulous, especially the toffee garnish.
MIne were a bit “eggy” too.:(
your eclairs look great! i also thought they were a bit eggy.
Toffee bits – good addition!
I think I can honestly say that there was nothing systematic about how we ate ours unless as fast as possible counts.
Wow…your eclairs look beautiful!
Beautiful on the challenge! I love the idea of the toffee bits! Loved what you said about your husband!!
mmm, looks delicious! love the toffee bits idea!
OMG…your eclairs look divine. I want to pick up one right now.
Love the pictures!!!! Wow!!
Those look amazing! The pic is so clear! I was not a big fan of the eggy taste either. I wish I had sprinkled mine with some of my left over praline paste. Oh well will just have to make the Hazelnut Gateau again.
Honestly, I think eclairs and orgies go hand in hand…I’d even let eggy eclairs into the mix. I only used about 4 eggs in mine and I think it was a good amount…I think PH could have been a little more flexible in his recipe.
A coordinated orgy? Why not! :D
I’ll have one of those ones with the toffee bits on top, thanks!
Wow! Your eclairs looks super yummy. I love the idea of the toffee bits on top. I just love your blog too. I’m adding you to my RSS feed pronto!
mmmm toffee bits! great idea! i quartered the chocolate sauce recipe (though i guess it doesn’t hurt to have extra) great job w/the challenge! i’d like a toffee one too :)
Very nice. Toffee bits make any dessert much better :)
Those eclairs definitely look professional, you should be proud!
Like an orgy. Haha! I used a different pastry cream recipe and mine were not very eggy. I imagine an eggy orgy would be messy. A pastry orgy sounds delicious.