National Éclair Day deserves something light, luscious, and filled with cream. This year, we're putting a fun spin on tradition with mini desserts inspired by the classic éclair, made with crisp choux puffs using your Toastmaster Air Fryer or Toastmaster Convection Oven. These golden treats are perfect for summer entertaining, quick dessert cravings, or fun weekend baking projects.
Celebrate National Éclair Day with Sweet, Cream-Filled Style
The heart of these treats is the versatile choux pastry, which bakes up beautifully with a hollow center just waiting to be filled. Here’s how to make the base recipe, followed by five fun mini dessert ideas that riff off the classic éclair.
Cream Puff Dough
Ingredients:
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 1 cup flour
- 4 eggs
Instructions:
- In a saucepan, combine water, butter, and salt. Heat until butter is fully melted.
- Add flour all at once and stir continuously with a spoon until the mixture forms a smooth ball. Remove from heat and let cool for 10 minutes.
- Add eggs one at a time, stirring well after each addition. The finished dough should be glossy and soft.
- Line your Toastmaster Air Fryer basket with parchment paper. Drop large spoonfuls of dough on the paper, leaving space between each.
- For the convection oven, place dough on a greased or parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Air fry at 350°F for 15 minutes or bake in the convection oven at 400°F for 25–30 minutes, until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack.
Whipped Cream Filling
Ingredients:
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 1 tsp cream of tartar
- 1 tbsp unflavored gelatin
- 3 tbsp water
Instructions:
- Whip heavy cream and powdered sugar until soft peaks form.
- In a small bowl, combine gelatin and water. Microwave for 10 seconds to dissolve.
- Add gelatin mixture, vanilla, and cream of tartar to whipped cream.
- Continue whipping until stiff peaks form.
Once your choux puffs are cool, slice them in half and fill generously with whipped cream. Now, let’s get creative.
5 Éclair-Inspired Mini Desserts
1. Classic Chocolate Éclair Puffs
Fill each puff with cream and dip the top in melted chocolate ganache. Chill until set.
2. Berry Shortcake Puffs
Spoon whipped cream and fresh sliced strawberries or blueberries into the center. Dust with powdered sugar.
3. S’mores Puffs
Swap whipped cream for marshmallow fluff, add a square of chocolate, and top with graham cracker crumbs.
4. Mocha Dream Puffs
Add espresso powder to your whipped cream, then drizzle each puff with mocha or coffee syrup.
5. Caramel Apple Puffs
Add thin slices of sautéed apples inside each puff and finish with a drizzle of caramel sauce.
Final Touch
No matter which mini dessert you choose, these air-fried or oven-baked choux puffs bring a bakery-level treat into your home kitchen, no pastry degree required. The Toastmaster Air Fryer and Toastmaster Convection Oven make quick work of crisp, golden shells that are perfect for filling and finishing your own way.
Celebrate National Éclair Day the homemade way and make every bite count.
