Elegant éclairs filled with vanilla pastry cream and topped with chocolate glaze are a classic French-American family bakery treat. These delicate choux pastries deliver sophistication in every bite.
Preheat the oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a saucepan, melt unsalted butter in water over medium heat until boiling.
Reduce heat to low and stir in all-purpose flour and salt. Mix vigorously until a dough forms and pulls away from the sides of the pan, then remove from heat.
Let the dough cool for 5 minutes, then beat in large eggs one at a time for a smooth, glossy batter. Pipe into 4-inch strips with space between each.
Bake at 425°F for 15 minutes, then lower to 350°F and bake 20 minutes more until golden and crisp. Cool shells completely before filling.
For vanilla pastry cream, heat whole milk with half the sugar until just simmering. In a bowl, whisk remaining sugar, cornstarch, egg yolks, and vanilla extract. Slowly temper the egg mixture with hot milk, then return to saucepan and cook over medium, whisking, until thick and pudding-like. Cool and refrigerate.
Prepare chocolate glaze by melting semi-sweet chocolate chips with heavy cream over low heat until smooth.
Carefully slice cooled éclair shells, pipe in chilled pastry cream, then dip tops in the chocolate glaze for finished éclairs.