Lemon Raspberry Eclairs are a delightful twist on the classic French pastry. These eclairs are filled with a zesty lemon cream and topped with fresh raspberries and a tangy lemon glaze. They make for an elegant dessert that’s perfect for special occasions or a sweet treat!

Ingredients

For the Choux Pastry

• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 4 large eggs

For the Lemon Cream Filling

• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup mascarpone cheese
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• Zest of 1 lemon
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Lemon Glaze

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2-3 tablespoons lemon juice
• Zest of 1 lemon (for garnish)
• Fresh raspberries (for topping)

Timing

Making Lemon Raspberry Eclairs takes about 30 minutes for preparation and 30-40 minutes for baking and cooling.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Choux Pastry

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Boil Ingredients: In a medium saucepan, combine the water and butter. Bring to a boil over medium heat.
3. Add Flour and Salt: Remove from heat and quickly stir in the flour and salt until the mixture forms a ball and pulls away from the sides of the pan.
4. Incorporate Eggs: Allow the mixture to cool slightly, then add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition until smooth and glossy.
5. Pipe Eclairs: Transfer the choux pastry to a piping bag fitted with a large round tip. Pipe 4-5 inch long strips onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each.
6. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and puffed. Do not open the oven door during baking. Once done, remove from the oven and let cool on a wire rack.

Step 2: Make the Lemon Cream Filling

1. Whip Cream: In a mixing bowl, whip the heavy cream until soft peaks form.
2. Combine Ingredients: In another bowl, combine the mascarpone cheese, powdered sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth.
3. Fold Together: Gently fold the whipped cream into the mascarpone mixture until fully combined.

Step 3: Fill the Eclairs

1. Prepare Eclairs: Once the eclairs are completely cool, use a sharp knife to cut a small slit in the side of each eclair.
2. Fill with Cream: Using a piping bag fitted with a small round tip, fill each eclair with the lemon cream filling.

Step 4: Make the Lemon Glaze

1. Combine Glaze Ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and lemon juice until smooth. Adjust the consistency by adding more lemon juice or powdered sugar as needed.

Step 5: Assemble the Eclairs

1. Glaze Eclairs: Dip the top of each filled eclair into the lemon glaze, allowing the excess to drip off.
2. Garnish: Place fresh raspberries on top of the glazed eclairs and sprinkle with lemon zest for an extra touch.
3. Serve: Arrange the eclairs on a serving platter and enjoy!

Nutritional Information

Here’s a quick overview of the nutritional content of Lemon Raspberry Eclairs (per eclair, based on 12 servings):

Nutrient	Amount per Serving
Calories	210
Protein	3g
Fat	12g
Carbohydrates	25g
Fiber	0g
Sugar	10g

Tips for Customization

• Different Fillings: Experiment with other flavors, such as vanilla or chocolate cream.
• Fruit Toppings: Add other fruits like strawberries or blueberries for variety.
• Chocolate Drizzle: For a richer dessert, drizzle melted chocolate over the glazed eclairs.

Storage Instructions

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The eclairs are best enjoyed fresh but can be kept for a short time.

Conclusion

Lemon Raspberry Eclairs are a delightful and refreshing dessert that combines the brightness of lemon with the sweetness of raspberries. These elegant pastries are sure to impress your guests and satisfy your sweet tooth!