Cherry Éclairs

During summer, I love a dessert that’s refreshing and fruit-forward versus something heavy or overly sweet. That’s why each year, I swap out the traditional summer ice cream cone for a light cherry éclair.

The crisp choux pastry logs (this dessert is very French) are filled with a mascarpone whipped cream — no pastry cream — made with plump and juicy cherries. They are then covered with a light dusting of powdered sugar. 

This choux pastry recipe is a little unorthodox because it has a tablespoon of vodka. I prefer a slightly crisp éclair, and a little bit of alcohol helps to make a crisp pastry. When making dough, two wheat flour proteins, gliadin and glutenin, form gluten when combined with water, which can lead to a tough consistency. However, gluten will not form in alcohol, so adding a dash of your favorite booze will keep the dough light and crispy. I went with vodka because it is flavorless, but bourbon is another great option if you're looking for more flavor.

Éclairs are easy to make, and I find it's often easier to throw together an éclair than a cake, especially if you are making a whipped cream-based filling. They take less baking and cooling time, it's easier to fill an éclair than it is to frost a cake, and they are equally as stunning.

Cherry Éclairs

PREP TIME: 20 minutesCOOK TIME: 30 minutesTOTAL TIME: 50 minutes

SERVINGS

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Equipment

• Stand mixer
• 2 baking sheets
• Parchment paper
• Cherry pitter

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Ingredients

For the choux pastry
• 14 cup milk
• 3 tablespoons water
• 1 tablespoon vodka
• 12 tablespoon sugar
• 14 teaspoon salt
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 12 cup all-purpose flour
• 2-3 eggs
For the cherry mascarpone whipped cream
• 2 cups Harry & David® Cherries (chopped, 1 cup for the mascarpone cream and one for garnish)
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 8 ounces mascarpone
• 12 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 12 cup powdered sugar

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Plump-Sweet Cherries

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Instructions

For the choux pastry
1
In a medium saucepan, heat the milk, water, vodka, sugar, salt, and butter and bring to a boil. Stir until all the butter has melted.
2
Add in the flour and stir with a wooden spoon until a soft dough ball forms. Keep mixing the dough around the pan for 2-3 minutes to cook the flour.
3
Move the dough to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Turn the mixer up to medium and add the eggs one at a time. Allow each egg to be fully mixed before adding the next one. After you add the first two eggs, lightly beat the remaining one and add it in 1/4 at a time. Keep mixing until your dough is glossy but thick enough to hold a V shape at the end of the paddle. (I wound up using 2 1/2 eggs in total.)
4
Preheat the oven to 425° F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
5
Transfer your choux pastry to a pastry bag and cut off the end. Pipe the dough into 3-4 inch logs about 1 1/2 inches apart. You should be able to pipe 9-10 logs. If you have large tips of dough at the end of your éclairs, dab your finger in a little water and smooth them down.
6
Place your baking trays in the oven and turn the temperature down to 375° F. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the éclairs rise and are golden brown.
7
Turn off the oven and let the éclairs cool for 15 minutes with the door open. Remove the trays from the oven and let the éclairs finish cooling.
For the cherry mascarpone whipped cream
1
Use a cherry pitter to remove the pits of approximately 2 cups of sweet cherries.
2
Chop the cherries fine enough so that they won't have trouble getting through a pastry bag.
3
Add the whipping cream and mascarpone to a medium bowl and beat until stiff peaks form. Add in the sugar and vanilla extract and whip until fully incorporated. Fold in 1 cup of the chopped cherries.
For assembly
1
Carefully cut the éclairs in half. Pipe the cherry cream into the bottom halves. Garnish with more pitted cherries and place the tops back on the éclairs. Dust with powdered sugar and serve.