Chocolate Eclairs

Eclair literally means “lightning” in French. I don’t know if this is a reference to the speed with which one will consume these irresistible filled choux pastries, or if it has to do with the reflection of light from the glaze on top. Unlike their equally well-known and popular close relative the cream puff, or profiterole, éclairs should always be topped with a sweet, shiny icing, typically fondant, corresponding to the flavor of the filling. In the case of the best-known variety,