It's no secret that I'm obsessed with all things French.  French pastries being top of the list, however it might surprise you to know that I have only ever made the humble French Éclair once in my life - way, way, way back in Home-ec class.

I'm sure you can imagine how they turned out!

I have loads of French cookbooks (some even in French) and I desperately wish for more hours in the day and days in the week to be able to practice and perfect the technical aspects of French cooking.  So I did a little booty dance on the spot when I discovered that Jen of Blue Kitchen Bakes has the Classic French Challenge.  This is a monthly French cooking challenge, with this month's challenge (hosted by Sarah of Maison Cupcake) being, yep you guessed it....the Éclair!

20+ years later and a potential chance to redeem myself.

With the choice to use the recipe given or one of our own, I chose to use the Profiterole recipe found in the cookbook

Recipes from my Mother for my Daughter by Lisa Faulkner.  Not a French Cookbook....hmmm....am I an idiot??

Profiteroles

Yes I know.  The challenge was for Éclairs.  However, profiteroles are virtually the same thing, as in they both involve you making a choux pastry, however the differences I've found are in the shape and the chocolate topping (profiteroles seem to incorporate cream in the chocolate, however Éclairs have a harder, more pure chocolate topping).

These ones also fit perfectly in your mouth....need I say more?!