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Éclairs with White Chocolate Cream, 2nd Anniversary and a Giveaway!

eclairs with white chocolate cream

Today, my blog turns two years old! For me, that’s quite an achievement seeing as that I am really bad at maintaining it! I love writing and cooking for it, but unless I devote a considerable time to it, it’s hard work to maintain and generate the traffic you want. I am thankful though, to everyone who has and continues to visit and read my ramblings and try my concoctions. I want to thank, my blogger friends who tirelessly read my stories and memories, and support me unconditionally. They leave wonderful comments and feedback and I appreciate each and everyone of them.

Two and a half years ago, I toyed with the idea of starting a blog but kept talking myself out of it. I knew it needed a serious commitment that I knew I couldn’t keep. However, days of cooking and cleaning and being a wife and mommy were just making me numb. I longed for intellectual conversation, something to tickle my numbed and sleepy nerves; a spark to jolt me into being me the old me. Here are a few random facts that make me, me:

I am a Sci Fi/Mystery nerd: Star Wars, Star Trek, all superhero movies, Sherlock, Inspector Lewis..
I am a science geek: audio/video, tech etc
I am a hopeless romantic but happen to be married to the least romantic person ever.
I love to read but hardly get the chance because half way through the first page, I am asleep.
My favourite are the British classics, mysteries and yes, I did read Fifty Shades of Grey.
I love all kind of music from Led Zeppelin, The Who and AC/DC to One Direction and Eminem ( however, I do draw the line at Justin Bieber)
I love to talk; about everything and anything.
I love to travel and absorb cultures and wish I was fluent in every language.
I am a fidgety restless person whose mind is constantly churning; I always need to do something or learn something new
I was born in Saudi Arabia, I grew up in England (London will always be my home) and my family is from India and I live in America married to an American, when people ask me where I am from, there’s usually a big pause. I still haven’t perfected that answer.

So, I went from being this person who wanted to do everything to a stay at home mom. It was hard for me and so I started playing around with arts and crafts, did a bit of sewing, experimented with cooking and baking. As much as I loved doing stuff, I felt like my mind still wasn’t being exercised. Hence, the blog. I wanted to write, and use big words, and make grown up sentences rather than the simple, explanatory ones I used with my children day in and day out. Of course, two years ago I did have teenagers, but when have you known a teenager to 1. Converse with their parent 2. Converse in proper English? So, commitment or not, I started my blog for myself mainly. It didn’t matter to me back then if anybody read it; I was writing for myself.

Two years later, I have readers and slowly but surely, it’s getting noticed. So, thank you all for reading and supporting me! I still maintain this for myself, but making new friends from all over the world has been my new motivation to keep updating the site on a regular basis.

As a thank you to my regular readers, family and friends, I am giving away a thank you gift. Unfortunately, since I am bank rolling this giveaway, I have to limit it to US postal addresses. I have picked Gordon Ramsay’s Sunday Lunch cook book to giveaway. I think Chef Ramsay is awesome and his recipes are easy to follow and recreate. I hope the lucky winner will think so too.

Gordon Ramsay's Sunday Lunch: 25 Simple Menus to Pamper Family and Friends

To enter the drawing, you have to just go crazy with me socially! The more love you give, the more chances you have. You have till February 28 to get crazy. I will announce the winner first week of March.

Here’s what to do:
Leave me a comment or two, telling me an interesting tidbit about you.
Like my page on Facebook and say “hi”

And for extra entries:
Subscribe by email or register on my website
I am on Twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr and Instagram

I know I have regular readers who don’t comment, so it would be nice to meet y’all!

Now, onto my anniversary dessert. I wanted to celebrate my two years with one of my favourite pastries, the éclair. These are slightly more jazzy and festive for the occasion and the inspiration came from the BBC Good Food magazine (they did some pastel eclairs in their January issue).

I have sort of combined my anniversary and Valentine’s Day dessert into one. These are great for any occasion and making them colourful allows you to tailor them to your specific event. I chose these colours because they are anniversary festive and very Valentine’s Day festive too. I thought this would be a nice kick off to some Valentines Days goodies coming up this week.

eclairs with white chocolate cream

Save Print
Éclairs with White Chocolate Cream

Prep time:  45 mins

Cook time:  30 mins

Total time:  1 hour 15 mins

Serves: 18 eclairs

Ingredients
Choux Pastry
  • 20z/56g butter, in pieces
  • ⅔ cup/150mL water
  • ½ cup/75g flour
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 2 eggs, lightly beaten
White Chocolate Cream
  • 1 cup/236mL heavy cream
  • 4oz good quality white chocolate, I used Ghirardelli
Decoration and Icing
  • 4 oz melted white chocolate, divided and coloured
  • assorted candies, sweets and sprinkles
Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 400℉/200℃
  2. Mix the flour and salt together.
  3. Have a piping bag with a medium size plain nozzle ready to be filled.
  4. Have a baking sheet lined with parchment paper ready.
Choux Pastry
  1. Place water and butter in a medium pan and bring up to boil gently.
  2. Once butter is melted and mixture is beginning to boil, pull of the heat.
  3. Dump in the flour and salt and beat vigourously to combine.
  4. Don't over beat otherwise the fat will seep out.
  5. Let cool for 2 minutes.
  6. Once the mixture is in ball, using a hand mixer, start to mix the pastry ball.
  7. Add the eggs in a stream and continue to beat.
  8. Beat on high to trap as much air as possible into the pastry, 5 minutes.
  9. Once the eggs have been added and the pastry beaten, it is ready to be piped.
  10. Fill the piping bag with the pastry and pipe out long tubes of about 3"(8cm)
  11. Use a wet knife to cut of the ends from the piping bag.
  12. Pipe out 18 eclairs onto the parchment paper, leaving 2"(5cm) between each one.
  13. Place in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, until golden brown and puffy.
  14. As soon as they are out of the oven, remove from the baking sheet and poke two or three holes
  15. at the ends to release air.
  16. Or you can also slit the sides if you prefer.
  17. Place on a wire rack and cool before filling.
White Chocolate Cream
  1. Place the white chocolate in a microwaveable bowl and heat at 30 second intervals till melted.
  2. It will only take about a minute to melt and the residual heat from the bowl will continue to melt the chocolate all the way. Set aside to cool.
  3. Meanwhile, whip the chilled cream to stiff peaks.
  4. Slowly add half of the cooled, melted chocolate and continue to whip gently for a minute.
  5. Then fold in the rest of the chocolate, till combined all the way.
  6. Fill a piping bag with a small nozzle with the cream.
  7. Put aside until ready to fill the éclair shells.
Decorating
  1. Melt some more chocolate and divide into bowls and colour with desired colours.
  2. Have candy and sweets ready to sprinkle.
  3. Once the shells have cooled, using the piping bag filled with cream, squeeze cream into the ends of the shells using the holes you poked earlier.
  4. If you slit the sides, just pipe cream into the shell.
  5. Dip the éclair into your choice of coloured chocolate cream and sprinkle with candy.
  6. Put aside as you complete the rest.
  7. If you are not serving them right away, chill in the fridge.
  8. Éclairs are best eaten on the day they are made but I can eat them the next day too!
Notes
The times given are approximate. Depends on how long it takes to melt your chocolate, how efficient you are at piping and how much decoration you are doing.
Wordpress Recipe Plugin by EasyRecipe
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eclairs with white chocolate cream

eclairs4

eclairs with white chocolate creamOnce again, thank you for all your support the last two years. I hope you will celebrate with me and enjoy some éclairs. These are amazing; creamy and indulgent with just the right amount of sweetness. Make them for any special occasion. I look forward to reading your juicy tidbits and picking a winner!

I love to hear from my readers so please leave me a comment! If you enjoyed this post please share!

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Comments

  1. cakewhiz says

    February 21, 2013 at 11:40 pm

    i am also following you on facebook, twitter and pinterest.
    i subscribed to your feed too.

    i don’t use instagram or tumblr 🙁
    cakewhiz recently posted..Juicy brownies and juicy popsiclesMy Profile

    • Nazneen says

      February 22, 2013 at 5:39 pm

      Thanks Abeer! Get on Instagram, it’s fun!

  2. cakewhiz says

    February 21, 2013 at 11:39 pm

    I can’t believe I missed this post! You know what a massive sweet tooth I have right…lol. These eclairs would be gone in no time ;P

    I was born in Pak, spent my childhood in the middle east and then moved to Canada and now I am living in Chicago. So, when people ask me where I am from…I get confused too…hahah

    PS: You chose a great bok to give away. I loveeeeeee Gordon Ramsay though i don’t have any of his cookbooks! I think he’s hillarious. My husband and i laugh non-stop while watching his shows, especially Hell’s Kitchen. Plus, there is some sort of a travel documentary on Netflix where he went to India… parts of that were soooo funny!
    cakewhiz recently posted..Juicy brownies and juicy popsiclesMy Profile

    • Nazneen says

      February 22, 2013 at 5:38 pm

      I love Gordon Ramsay too. He’s a really cool guy and not the ass he is on tv at times. I wanted to watch his India trip show, haven’t had a chance yet.

  3. Tammi says

    February 10, 2013 at 8:29 pm

    Congratulations, dearest friend, on your two successful years of your blog. As I have told you numerous times, your blogs are always so interesting and well written….and the recipes are so delicious! Those eclairs look so good…..wish I was closer to try one! That is interesting also that your giveaway book is Gordon Ramsey….as you know, I had the pleasure of seeing him when he opened his restaurant in Las Vegas last month. I look forward to all of your upcoming recipes and stories! Keep up the amazing job

    • Nazneen says

      February 10, 2013 at 10:26 pm

      Thank you Tammi. Your support means the world to me as does our friendship. I had picked Gordan Ramsay as my giveaway even before you mentioned you saw him, after that it was even cooler!

  4. Carol | a cup of mascarpone says

    February 10, 2013 at 3:49 am

    Nazneen, congratulations on your 2 year blog anniversary…and many, many more!!! …and what a wonderful way to celebrate – with these amazing eclairs! I wish I had one right now with my coffee! Have a beautiful Sunday!!!
    Carol | a cup of mascarpone recently posted..the pioneer woman’s best chocolate sheet cakeMy Profile

    • Nazneen says

      February 10, 2013 at 4:52 pm

      Thank you so much Carol.

  5. Andrea says

    February 9, 2013 at 7:42 am

    As I would say to my son…they’re the best looking eclairs, IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD x

    • Nazneen says

      February 10, 2013 at 4:49 pm

      Thanks dear. I’ll make Ismail some when he gets a bit older and can have the candy on top xx

  6. Amy Tong says

    February 7, 2013 at 11:02 pm

    Following you on Pinterest (@utry.it)

    amy [at] utry [dot] it
    Amy Tong recently posted..Matcha Shortbread Cookies (抹茶酥餅)for Chinese New Year 恭喜發財!My Profile

    • Nazneen says

      February 8, 2013 at 10:57 pm

      Yay! I am following you back.

  7. Amy Tong says

    February 7, 2013 at 11:01 pm

    Liked your Facebook page

    amy [at] utry [dot] it
    Amy Tong recently posted..Matcha Shortbread Cookies (抹茶酥餅)for Chinese New Year 恭喜發財!My Profile

    • Nazneen says

      February 8, 2013 at 11:00 pm

      Thanks Amy!

  8. Amy Tong says

    February 7, 2013 at 11:00 pm

    Happy 2 Years Old to your blog! Yay! That’s a nice accomplishment. 🙂 Your eclairs are so pretty. So perfect for this celebration and Valentine’s day…great idea to kill 2 birds with 1 stone. hehehe…

    What a great way to celebrate with a giveaway. Thank you in advance. A little bit about me. I was born and raise in Hong Kong, living in Sunny California with my family and I married my junior high school classmate. 🙂 I cook Chinese dishes at least 5 days a week, but seems to blog about western or fusion recipes a lot more often on my blog than Chinese recipes. hehe….I’ll keep it short before you fall asleep.

    amy [at] utry [dot] it
    Amy Tong recently posted..Matcha Shortbread Cookies (抹茶酥餅)for Chinese New Year 恭喜發財!My Profile

    • Nazneen says

      February 8, 2013 at 10:59 pm

      Thanks Amy and thank you for telling me something about yourself. Loved your story.I too cook a lot of Indian at home and yet blog about Western stuff. Funny!

  9. Balvinder says

    February 7, 2013 at 9:10 pm

    Congratulations on two years of blogging! Its great achievement! Nazneen, I am one of that person who finds it really difficult to maintain the blog, the biggest reason is my zero participation in social media networks.
    Your chocolate eclair’s really look lovely with candy decorations.
    Balvinder recently posted..Kadai Jhinga With HarissaMy Profile

    • Nazneen says

      February 8, 2013 at 11:00 pm

      I agree with you Balvinder, unless you are active on social sites, it’s impossible to get your blog going. It’s harder and harder these days. Thank you for stopping by and leaving such a kind comment. I appreciate it.

  10. The Squishy Monster says

    February 7, 2013 at 9:20 am

    But who needs romance when you’ve got theeeeese!??! I kid, but they really are gorgeous. I’d be so happy right now with like, 5 =)
    The Squishy Monster recently posted..#Fox #FoxNews #FoxNewsRisingMy Profile

    • Nazneen says

      February 7, 2013 at 3:03 pm

      I totally agree…romance is overrated…chocolate never let’s you down xx

  11. Karen (Back Road Journal) says

    February 7, 2013 at 7:57 am

    Congratulations on two years of blogging. You certainly have given us a lovely recipe to help celebrate with you. I’m sorry that I only speak one language as I travel to Europe every year and wish I could speak the language of all the wonderful people that I meet.
    Karen (Back Road Journal) recently posted..Alsace’s Wine Road And Its Famous FlammekuecheMy Profile

    • Nazneen says

      February 7, 2013 at 3:01 pm

      Thank you Karen! I have can struggle with 3 other languages besides English….and it really is a struggle but I can get my point across I think!

  12. Kelly El-Yacoubi says

    February 7, 2013 at 12:31 am

    You’ve outdone yourself Nazneen. Yum! Drool…
    Love your blog and congrats on 2 years 😀

    • Nazneen says

      February 7, 2013 at 2:59 pm

      Thank you Kelly, thanks for the lovely comment and for your support. xx

  13. Yasmin says

    February 6, 2013 at 11:18 pm

    Ok so I just read the “what to do” in order to win the giveaway and I have a lot to say actually. First of all I would like to tell you that everything that I had ever tasted from you was “D.E.L.I.C.I.O.U.S”. Secondly, your style of writing attracts me very much, because I like that you write everything properly and not abbreviations like everyone is doing nowadays, not to exclude myself, I usually write very improperly but I dislike it. Also, I would like to tell you that I have admired you since I first saw you, I like your way to speaking and your way of handling things and I was always curious to know your story, like the popular where-are-you -from question and where is your hubby from. You are an interesting person indeed with so many backgrounds. I’m glad you answered this question here, because I guess I am too shy to ask anyone any personal questions.

    A little bit about myself, although you might already know that, I don’t know:
    – I am from Egypt, have been born and brought up there. I traveled to Canada when I was 23 years old for my masters, and I wasn’t married back then. I got married 6 months later but still lived for 1 more year in Toronto, Ca alone 🙁 And then I joined my hubby here in Boulder Co in Fall 2009 and ever since I have been living here with a few visits to Egypt. I am longing to go back to Egypt and live there insha’Allah. I am currently pursuing my phd at CU. Nothing else interesting about my life to share 🙂 except for Bilal of course whom I guess you know all about already.

    I guess if my hubby knew I wrote all this info on a blog on the internet he’ll kill me 😀 hahaha

    No one can beat my comment I believe.

    I love you
    -Yasmin

    • Nazneen says

      February 7, 2013 at 2:59 pm

      Thank you for your very kind words Yasmin! It’s good to know something about you too! I hope you can find something useful in my blog! Thanks!

      • Yasmin says

        February 28, 2013 at 1:47 pm

        Everything is useful in your blog 😉

        • Nazneen says

          March 1, 2013 at 12:58 pm

          Thanks Yasmin

  14. Yasmin says

    February 6, 2013 at 11:02 pm

    Happy Birthday to your blog 🙂

  15. mariyam says

    February 6, 2013 at 6:37 pm

    Ohmygosh,these look delicious! You are amazing! Four kids and keeping up a beautiful blog for two years.

    • Nazneen says

      February 6, 2013 at 8:08 pm

      Thanks Mariyam! Hope you are well. Haven’t seen you in a while.

      • mariyam says

        February 7, 2013 at 8:33 am

        Sickness, sickness. We will catch up soon, inshallah.

        • Nazneen says

          February 7, 2013 at 3:02 pm

          Ooh…not fun. IA, I’ll do something here soon…a breakfast or something. xx

  16. Sawsan @chef in disguise says

    February 5, 2013 at 11:07 pm

    Congratulations on the milestone! it is a great achievement indeed
    My blog turns two on the 16th :)and I started it for almost the same reasons you did
    Loved learning a little more about you Nazneen. I wish I was fluent in every language too! I think each language you learn opens up a whole new world to you.
    The eclairs look beautiful, love the pink hue you used
    Sawsan @chef in disguise recently posted..Vegan pancakes (Secret recipe club)My Profile

    • Nazneen says

      February 6, 2013 at 8:17 pm

      Thank you Sawsan for your sweet words. I look forward to celebrating with you on the 16th! You have done an amazing job with you blog.xx

  17. Barb @ Profiteroles & Ponytails says

    February 5, 2013 at 8:21 pm

    I wish that I was fluent in every language too! These pretty pink eclairs have the ponytails written all over them. I’d love to make them but they look difficult… Congrats on your two year anniversary. That is a milestone. I’d love to participate in your giveaway, but alas I’m in Canada.
    Barb @ Profiteroles & Ponytails recently posted..Can Cupcakes Mend A Broken Heart?My Profile

    • Nazneen says

      February 6, 2013 at 8:16 pm

      Oh your ponytails would love them, especially the decorating part. They aren’t so difficult…maybe you can do pink profiteroles?

  18. LinsFood says

    February 5, 2013 at 7:58 am

    Happy Second Anniversary! Your eclairs have turned out so pretty!
    LinsFood recently posted..Scallop Anonymous and Poppadum BitesMy Profile

    • Nazneen says

      February 6, 2013 at 8:15 pm

      Thanks Lin! They are nice, I was proud of them.

  19. Norma Chang says

    February 5, 2013 at 6:22 am

    Congratulations on your 2nd blog anniversary. Delicious and beautiful eclairs.

    • Nazneen says

      February 6, 2013 at 8:15 pm

      Thank you Norma for your kind words and thanks for stopping by!

  20. Hotly Spiced says

    February 5, 2013 at 4:17 am

    Congratulations Nazneen on your second anniversary. What a terrific achievement! And your eclairs are just gorgeous. I think I’m following you on all your social media platforms. What a great giveaway; I’m amazed at how I don’t already have a copy of any of Gordon Ramsay’s cookbooks. And I can’t believe your identity – born in the Middle East, educated in London, living in the US and married to an American. My own history is boring by comparison xx
    Hotly Spiced recently posted..Caribbean Christmas Cake and…An AutopsyMy Profile

    • Nazneen says

      February 6, 2013 at 8:14 pm

      Thanks Charlie, but I disagree, you may not have such a varied history but your stories are amazing and worth telling. I love your stories. xx

  21. CCU says

    February 5, 2013 at 2:39 am

    CONGRATS my friend, what a wonderful milestone 😀
    You celebrated deliciously!

    Cheers
    CCU
    CCU recently posted..Dear Popeye…My Profile

    • Nazneen says

      February 6, 2013 at 8:13 pm

      Thanks Uru, they were quite tasty!

  22. Minnie@thelady8home says

    February 4, 2013 at 9:03 pm

    Congratulations Nazneen!!!I wish your blog many many more years of success and blog love and hope to read your warm and lovely stories. Those eclairs look delicious!!
    Minnie@thelady8home recently posted..Quick Pressure Cooker Biriyani (Mutton/Chicken)My Profile

    • Nazneen says

      February 6, 2013 at 8:12 pm

      Thank you for the kind words Minnie!

  23. Glamorous Glutton says

    February 4, 2013 at 2:46 pm

    Congratulations, I’ve always enjoyed your blog and your long distance friendship. Long may both last. Great picture, now I must hunt it down on your Pinterest account and repin! Congratulations GG xx
    Glamorous Glutton recently posted..Convent EggsMy Profile

    • Nazneen says

      February 6, 2013 at 8:11 pm

      Thanks a lot Amanda, that means a lot!

  24. Needful Things says

    February 4, 2013 at 1:56 pm

    Happy Anniversary!
    Needful Things recently posted..Shakarkandi (Spicy Sweet Potato)My Profile

    • Nazneen says

      February 6, 2013 at 8:11 pm

      Thank you!!

  25. Natalie says

    February 4, 2013 at 9:31 am

    Such beautiful eclairs!

    • Nazneen says

      February 6, 2013 at 8:11 pm

      Thank you Natalie, they were quite delicious.

  26. Andrea says

    February 4, 2013 at 8:35 am

    Congratulations honey, proud of you x x x

    • Nazneen says

      February 6, 2013 at 8:10 pm

      Thank you Andrea!

  27. Denise Browning@From Brazil To You says

    February 4, 2013 at 5:55 am

    Wishing your blog a very happy birthday!!!! This dessert is lovely, Nazneen!!! Congrats on the nice work you have done in these 2 years. xx
    Denise Browning@From Brazil To You recently posted..Crazy Gal Cake (Bolo Nega Maluca) to celebrate our first birthday!!!My Profile

    • Nazneen says

      February 6, 2013 at 8:09 pm

      Thank you Denise!

  28. Lail | With A Spin says

    February 4, 2013 at 12:35 am

    Congratulations on your second blog birthday! Wishing many more years of great recipes to share with your readers.
    Lail | With A Spin recently posted..Going down memory lane – SantoriniMy Profile

    • Nazneen says

      February 6, 2013 at 8:09 pm

      Thanks Lail! I hope so!

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