Two-Bite Smoked Cheddar Eclairs

This savoury twist on a French classic is sure to turn heads at your next dinner party

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step
    Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Step
    In a medium pot over medium-high heat, combine the milk, water, butter, sugar, and salt. Bring to a gentle simmer.
  3. Step
    Add the bread flour all at once and stir vigorously until a dough forms and pulls away from the sides of the pot, about 1–2 minutes.
  4. Step
    Transfer the dough to a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix on low for 2–3 minutes to cool slightly. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, until the dough is smooth, glossy, and pipeable.
  5. Step
    Transfer the dough to a piping bag. Pipe 2-inch logs onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them apart.
  6. Step
    Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until puffed, golden, and dry to the touch. Let cool completely.
  7. Step
    While the éclairs bake, make the filling. In a bowl, beat the cream cheese, cream, garlic powder, cayenne, thyme, smoked cheddar, salt, and pepper until smooth and airy. Transfer to a piping bag.
  8. Step
    Once the éclairs are cool, poke a small hole in the bottom of each éclair. Pipe the smoked cheddar filling into each one.
  9. Step
    Pipe a small dollop of filling on top of each éclair. Garnish with microgreens and thinly sliced radish. Serve immediately.

Notes

Shortcut Note – Skip steps 1 to 5 and use a puff pastry. Cut thawed puff pastry into small rectangles, brush lightly with egg wash, and bake according to package directions until puffed and golden. Let cool, split each piece gently, then fill with the smoked cheddar filling and garnish with microgreens and radish.