Tea Time Treats: Decadent Chocolate Éclairs with Lavender Earl Grey Glaze

Welcome to another delightful recipe from your favorite WordPress food blogger! Today, we’re diving into the world of French pastries with a twist of English tea. We’ll be crafting Decadent Chocolate Éclairs with Lavender Earl Grey Glaze, a perfect blend of rich chocolate and aromatic lavender-infused Earl Grey tea. This dessert is not only visually stunning but also a symphony of flavors that will transport your taste buds to a luxurious afternoon tea in Paris.

Ingredients

To make these exquisite éclairs, you’ll need the following ingredients:

For the choux pastry:
1 cup water
1/2 cup unsalted butter, cut into pieces
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour
4 large eggs
For the chocolate filling:
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tbsp unsalted butter
For the lavender Earl Grey glaze:
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1/4 cup Earl Grey tea bags (preferably loose-leaf)
1/4 cup dried lavender flowers
2 cups powdered sugar
2 tbsp milk

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Choux Pastry

Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

In a medium saucepan, combine water, butter, salt, and sugar. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat. Once it reaches a rolling boil, remove from heat and immediately add the flour all at once. Stir vigorously with a wooden spoon until the dough forms a smooth ball and pulls away from the sides of the pan.

Transfer the dough to a mixing bowl and let it cool for about 5 minutes. Add one egg at a time, beating well after each addition. The dough should be glossy and slightly sticky. Using a piping bag fitted with a 1-inch plain tip, pipe 3-inch long logs onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.

Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown and puffed. Remove from the oven and poke small holes in the sides of each éclair to release steam. Let them cool completely on wire racks.

Step 2: Make the Chocolate Filling

While the éclairs are cooling, prepare the chocolate filling. In a microwave-safe bowl, heat the heavy cream until it just begins to simmer. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate chips and cocoa powder. Let sit for 2 minutes, then stir until smooth and creamy. Stir in the butter until fully incorporated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or until the filling is thick enough to pipe.

Step 3: Prepare the Lavender Earl Grey Glaze

Melt the butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Add the Earl Grey tea bags and dried lavender flowers. Simmer gently for 10 minutes, then remove from heat and let steep for another 10 minutes. Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl, pressing down on the solids to extract as much liquid as possible.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and milk. Gradually pour the strained tea mixture into the sugar mixture, whisking constantly until smooth. If the glaze is too thin, add more powdered sugar; if too thick, add a little more milk.

Step 4: Assemble the Éclairs

Once the éclairs have cooled and the filling has chilled, use a piping bag fitted with a small round tip to fill each éclair with the chocolate filling. Pipe the filling from one end of the éclair to the other, making sure not to overfill. Spread the glaze over the top of each éclair using an offset spatula, allowing it to drip slightly down the sides.

Let the glaze set for about 30 minutes before serving. These éclairs are best enjoyed the day they are made, though they can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.

Tips for Success

Creating perfect éclairs requires attention to detail. Here are some tips to ensure your pastry turns out beautifully:

Ensure your oven is fully preheated before baking the choux pastry.
Do not open the oven door while the éclairs are baking, as this could cause them to deflate.
Use high-quality chocolate for the filling to enhance the flavor profile.
Adjust the consistency of the glaze as needed for optimal drizzling.

Conclusion

These Decadent Chocolate Éclairs with Lavender Earl Grey Glaze are a testament to the art of pastry-making and the magic of combining unexpected flavors. Whether you’re hosting a tea party or simply indulging yourself, these éclairs promise a memorable treat. Enjoy the process of creating these exquisite pastries and savor every bite of this delightful fusion of flavors.