Holiday Eclairs

Photo: flickr user Ruth L

Ingredients

1 cup water

1 stk margarine

1 teaspoon sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup sifted all purpose flour

4 eggs

Preparation

Heat water, margarine, sugar, and salt to a full rolling boil in saucepan. Add flour all at once. Stir vigorously with a wooden spoon until mixture forms a thick, smooth ball that leaves the side of the pan, about 1 minute. Remove from the heat. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition until paste is shiny and smooth. Drop by spoonful on a cookie sheet, ungreased. Bake in hot oven 400 degrees for 30 minutes. Remove from heat and cool. Fill with your filling, chocolate or vanilla pudding.

Makes 12 large puffs.

Vanilla Custard Filling For Cream Puffs

2 1/2 cup milk5 egg yolks3/4 cup sugar2/3 cup sifted all purpose flour2 Tbsp. margarine1 Tbsp. vanilla

Mix dry ingredients in a medium saucepan. Add egg yolks, melted butter and small amount of milk and blend until smooth. Add rest of milk. Cook over medium heat until thick. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla. Cool. Using a pastry bag, filled with custard fill puffs with custard.

Peggy Says: I always use a chocolate glase on the tops of my eclairs. I just mix cocoa, powdered sugar and milk till smooth and spreading consistency.