Caramel éclairs buttery treat

Featured in Indulge Your Sweet Tooth with Our Dessert Collection.

These caramel éclairs bring a fun twist to a French favorite. The recipe is beginner-friendly, making 12 éclairs in just over an hour. Expect crispy pastry paired with a dreamy caramel filling. Store leftovers in the fridge, or prep in advance for an impressive treat. Basic ingredients and simple steps lead to a dessert that'll wow your family or guests.
Us chef girl
Updated on Sun, 06 Apr 2025 13:18:33 GMT
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Caramel éclairs French-style treat | athomedishes.com

Salted caramel transforms the classic eclair into an unforgettable taste experience. This treat perfectly balances caramel sweetness with a hint of salt, creating a French pastry that wakes up your taste buds. The crispy choux pastry paired with smooth caramel cream offers a texture contrast that makes all the difference.

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3 Salted caramel eclairs | athomedishes.com

I first tried this treat during a trip to Brittany, where salted caramel is famous. It's now a must-have in my baking collection.

Key Ingredients for Delightful Salted Caramel Eclairs

  • T45 flour: Its fine texture makes your choux light and airy
  • Good quality salted butter: Adds flavor and the right texture
  • Room temperature fresh eggs: They give the pastry proper structure
  • Full-fat liquid cream: Makes the filling wonderfully smooth
  • Fine sugar: It caramelizes evenly
  • Fleur de sel: Brings out the caramel flavors

Making Choux Pastry for Salted Caramel Eclairs

Boil water and butter together
Add all the flour at once and stir hard
Dry out the dough for 2 minutes over medium heat
Mix in eggs one by one, stirring well

Shaping Your Salted Caramel Eclairs

Pipe even strips about 12 cm long
Brush gently with egg wash
Make a vent using fork prongs
Put in a preheated oven

Creating Salted Caramel for Eclairs

Melt sugar without water until amber-colored
Drop in small pieces of salted butter
Slowly pour in warm cream
Let cool completely before using

Salted caramel became a family favorite after our Brittany vacation. Making it from scratch truly makes this treat special.

Elegant Presentation of Salted Caramel Eclairs

Enjoy these eclairs at fancy afternoon tea with strong black coffee or Earl Grey tea. For a classy touch, sprinkle a tiny bit of fleur de sel on top just before serving.

Make Salted Caramel Eclairs Your Own

For an extra indulgent version, top with caramelized nut pieces. Chocolate lovers might enjoy a thin dark chocolate layer between the pastry and cream.

Best Way To Store Salted Caramel Eclairs

Filled eclairs stay fresh for 24 hours in the fridge. For maximum freshness, store the shells and cream separately, then fill right before eating.

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1 Salted caramel eclairs | athomedishes.com

Pro Tips for Amazing Salted Caramel Eclairs

Always sift flour to avoid lumps
Room temperature eggs blend in better
Keep the oven door slightly open during the last 5 minutes of baking

This salted caramel eclair recipe is, for me, the perfect mix of French baking tradition and modern creativity. Every bite tells a story of skill and love for quality ingredients.

Baking Salted Caramel Eclairs To Perfection

Successful baking needs care at every step. The egg wash should be light and even, applied carefully so you don't flatten the dough. Heat your oven to 180°C (fan setting) for at least 15 minutes before putting in your eclairs.

The Trick To Crispy Salted Caramel Eclairs

What makes a great eclair is its crispy shell. To get this right, cool your eclairs in the turned-off oven with the door cracked open for 15 minutes after baking. This step keeps moisture from making your shells soggy.

Glazing Salted Caramel Eclairs Like A Pro

Caramel glaze needs patience and precision. Make an amber caramel with 200g sugar, add 100g salted butter in small chunks, then 120ml warm cream. Let it cool until it's thick enough to coat your eclairs smoothly.

Decorating Ideas for Salted Caramel Eclairs

For a fancy finish, dip the tops of your eclairs in slightly warm caramel glaze. Add caramelized nut pieces or a thin line of dark chocolate for decoration. Make sure to add these before the glaze sets.

Perfect Pairings With Salted Caramel Eclairs

These eclairs go wonderfully with strong Arabica coffee that balances the caramel sweetness. For a fancier snack time, serve them with slightly tart applesauce that contrasts with the richness

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What's the best way to store éclairs?
Keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for 2 to 3 days.
→ Can éclairs be frozen?
Freezing isn’t recommended as it could change the texture of both the pastry and filling.
→ How do I know when choux pastry is baked?
It's ready when it's golden brown, feels dry to touch, and sounds hollow if you tap the bottom.
→ Can éclairs be prepped ahead?
You can make the pastry a day early and fill them fresh for the best taste.
→ What’s the best caramel for this dessert?
Use high-quality salted caramel, like one with sea salt, for the ultimate flavor.

Caramel éclairs buttery treat

Simple caramel éclairs made with crisp choux pastry and a rich caramel center. A must-try dessert for sweet lovers.

Prep Time
45 Minutes
Cook Time
20 Minutes
Total Time
65 Minutes

Category: Desserts

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: French

Yield: 4 Servings (12 small éclairs)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

→ For the choux pastry dough

01 55 g butter
02 80 ml water
03 85 g flour
04 50 ml milk
05 1 pinch salt
06 3 whole eggs
07 1 big tablespoon sugar

→ For the topping

08 1 pot salted caramel
09 1 egg yolk for brushing

Instructions

Step 01

Set your oven to 180°C and line a baking tray with parchment paper or a silicone mat.

Step 02

Warm up water, milk, and chunks of butter in a pan until it's all melted and just starts to bubble.

Step 03

Once off the heat, toss in all the flour at once and mix until you get a smooth dough.

Step 04

Put the pan back on low heat, stir constantly with a spatula for 3-4 minutes until the dough pulls away from the sides.

Step 05

Move the dough to a bowl, let it cool a bit, then stir in the eggs one at a time. Mix well till you have a ribbon-like texture.

Step 06

Scoop the dough into a piping bag with a 1.5 cm plain tip. Pipe out 7 cm strips onto your baking tray.

Step 07

Brush them with egg yolk and bake for 20 minutes without peeking in the oven. Cool completely on a wire rack.

Step 08

Poke three holes on the bottom of each éclair. Fill them with caramel using a small piping tip.

Step 09

Dip the tops of the éclairs in the caramel and chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to set.

Notes

  1. The dough should fall in ribbons when it's the right consistency.
  2. Don't open the oven during baking, or the éclairs might collapse.
  3. If you don't have a piping bag, use a small spoon to fill the éclairs from the side.

Tools You'll Need

  • Baking tray
  • Parchment paper or silicone mat
  • Saucepan
  • Spatula
  • Piping bag with 1.5 cm and 0.5 cm tips
  • Pastry brush
  • Cooling rack

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Eggs
  • Dairy products
  • Gluten

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: ~
  • Total Fat: ~
  • Total Carbohydrate: ~
  • Protein: ~