Cream Puffs or Eclairs!

Homemade cream puffs or eclairs are the BEST!
And they are pretty simple to make...
Perfect dessert for parties, entertaining or pot lucks!

(Makes about 30-35)
You'll need:
1 cup of Flour
1/2 cup Butter
1 Cup Water
1/8 tsp salt
and
4 eggs

I also recommend a piping/icing bag with large tip...
although it is not necessary.

In a saucepan on the stove top,
Bring the water to a boil, then add butter, flour and salt.
Remove from heat.

Then put the dough in your mixer and let it cool for 2 minutes.
Then you add in the eggs one at a time, beating after each egg.

The dough will become softer and runnier...
Until it becomes very sticky!

You don't need a pastry/piping/icing bag with large tip...
but it makes for a prettier puff!

Here's the trick.
Put the empty piping bag in a large cup...
Fold over the top edge of the bag over the cup...
Then spoon in the dough...Then you can lift up the bag and squeeze
the dough to the tip, and start piping it out!

Pipe them onto a greased cookie sheet or use a silpat.
They are basically just a little swirly pile...about the size of golf ball.
(If you aren't using a piping bag...just spoon out blobs of dough)

Bake in the oven.
Start at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes,
Then turn down the oven to 350 degrees for the next 20 minutes.
They will puff up and turn golden brown!

They are now awesome little puffy hollow balls!
Now to fill them.
You can fill them with pudding, custard or whipped topping!
(I like half pudding (prepared) and half whipped topping)
Mixed together...
And put in my piping bag the same way as above...

Pick up a puff and push the piping tip into the side or top.
Squeeze cream right inside until it is full.
Set on a plate...refrigerate until time to serve.

For added amazingness, top with chocolate!

For an eclair, pipe in an oblong or strip instead of a ball...fill with pudding and top with fudge.
Great for parties--totally irresistible!

Hope you are inspired to make pastries tonight!

Check out my blog Doodlecraft for more awesomeness!
Oh, and please vote for me in the baking and pot luck contest!  :)
I'll be your friend forever!