Ingredients
Scale
Choux Pastry
- 1/2 cup water
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2/3 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free pastry blend)
- 3 large eggs
Lemon Cream Filling
- 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice (about 2–3 lemons)
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3 large egg yolks
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream, whipped
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Fruit
- 1 cup fresh raspberries
Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Prepare the Choux Pastry: Begin by bringing water, butter, and a pinch of salt to a boil in a saucepan. Quickly stir in the flour vigorously until the dough forms a ball and pulls away from the sides. Remove from heat and let cool slightly. Gradually add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition until the dough is smooth and glossy.
- Pipe and Bake the Pastry: Transfer the dough to a piping bag fitted with a large round tip. Pipe eclair shapes onto a parchment-lined baking sheet spaced apart. Bake initially at a high temperature (about 425°F / 220°C) to puff the pastry, then reduce heat (to 350°F / 175°C) to finish baking until golden brown and crisp. Let cool completely.
- Make the Lemon Cream Filling: Whisk together lemon juice, zest, sugar, egg yolks, and butter in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens into a smooth lemon curd. Allow it to cool, then gently fold in whipped cream and vanilla extract to create a light, creamy lemon filling.
- Fill the Eclairs: Using a small knife or piping tip, create holes at the ends of each pastry shell. Fill a piping bag with the lemon cream and pipe into each eclair generously. Add a few fresh raspberries inside or on top of the filling for extra freshness.
- Glaze and Serve: Mix powdered sugar with lemon juice to make a simple glaze. Drizzle the glaze over the filled eclairs and let it set briefly before serving these delightful treats.
Notes
- Ensure the choux dough is smooth and slightly cooled before adding eggs to avoid curdling and to achieve the right consistency.
- Start baking at a high temperature to puff the pastry and then lower it to bake through without burning.
- Use fresh lemon zest and juice to enhance the cream’s natural bright flavor.
- Chill your mixing bowl when whipping cream to achieve a fluffy, airy texture.
- Fill the eclairs just before serving to maintain pastry crispness.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
- Diet: Gluten Free (if using gluten-free flour blend)
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 eclair
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: lemon raspberry eclairs, lemon cream eclairs, choux pastry dessert, citrus berry dessert, gluten free eclairs