The selected challenge for August was Éclairs, specifically a recipe by Pierre Hermé from a cookbook written by Dorie Greenspan called Chocolate Desserts By Pierre Hermé. Initially I was excited for this challenge. I have never made an éclair and I thought it would be fun. My schedule has been completely crazy with the return of law school classes two weeks ago. So, I do not have time to try multiple batches.
I made a raspberry pastry cream with fresh raspberry puree and folded in a little whipped cream to lighten it up. I glazed the top of the éclair with a white chocolate ganache. (I was going to make semi-sweet chocolate ganache, but with all the disappointment, I did not want to open a new package of chocolate to use such a small amount. I used white chocolate from a package already opened.) Also, if you have been paying attention you realize that I have been using éclair in the singular. That was deliberate and on purpose. Out of the two batches of chox pastry dough that I made, I only had ONE éclair shell that did not deflate. So, I filled and glazed that one shell and claimed completion of the challenge on a technicality.
Challenge #2 technically complete. I give my self a C+ for completion, but always an A for effort!
Photos of both batches of deflated shells.
One successful shell full and sliced in half.
I made a raspberry pastry cream with fresh raspberry puree and folded in a little whipped cream to lighten it up. I glazed the top of the éclair with a white chocolate ganache. (I was going to make semi-sweet chocolate ganache, but with all the disappointment, I did not want to open a new package of chocolate to use such a small amount. I used white chocolate from a package already opened.) Also, if you have been paying attention you realize that I have been using éclair in the singular. That was deliberate and on purpose. Out of the two batches of chox pastry dough that I made, I only had ONE éclair shell that did not deflate. So, I filled and glazed that one shell and claimed completion of the challenge on a technicality.
Challenge #2 technically complete. I give my self a C+ for completion, but always an A for effort!
Photos of both batches of deflated shells.
One successful shell full and sliced in half.
Congrats on ur lone eclair creation! ;)
ReplyDeleteMine deflated as well for the first batch. Like the idea of fusing raspberry cream though! ;)
ReplyDeleteSome of mine deflated too, so I know how you feel! That one that did stay puffed looks lovely.
ReplyDeleteChoux can be tricky! Kudos to you for sticking with it. Your eclair looks great and the white chocolate-raspberry combo sounds amazing! Hope classes are going well for you.
ReplyDeleteGood for you for sticking it out. I like the combination of white chocolate and raspberry. Gald to know that I'm not the only lawyer/baker around:)
ReplyDeletechoux can be a difficult dough- just keep trying. i love the flavor combination- I bet it tasted fantastic!
ReplyDeleteOne??? Oh that sucks!
ReplyDeleteI bet that one was yummy!
It's at least a B for completion. You had one turn out perfect. :) I love the raspberry cream. YUM!
ReplyDeleteI love to hear that I am not the only one that has issues! You did a great job on what you had available! Keep going, and I will be sure to check in on next months challenge.
ReplyDeleteLove the flavor combination.
ReplyDeleteBut you finished it! Great job..and the white chocolate raspberry sounds fantastic
ReplyDeletemarye
http://www.bakingdelights.com/2008/08/31/daring-bakers-august-challengeeclairs
At least there was the loner in that crowd.:)
ReplyDeleteI always have issues and this was the first time the challenge worked for me, though it was "eggy". But If there was a grade higher than and A+ you desrve it for the effort. You're not a DB for nothing.:)
I had problems with mine deflating as well. Great try, though!
ReplyDeleteMine were pretty deflated, too. I just cut them in half anyway and used them flat as they were! Your puffy one looks great!
ReplyDeleteOh no! Only one puffed? Well, after all of that, it must have been the best éclair ever! You definitely get an A+ for effort.
ReplyDeleteDon't worry u will get A+ next time.Just carry on..
ReplyDelete