Strawberry Chocolate Éclair Fantasy

All that makes a chocolate éclair so good—puff pastry, a luscious cream filling and rich semisweet chocolate—is found in this winner of a dessert topped with fluffy whipped cream and glazed strawberries.

Strawberry Chocolate Éclair Fantasy was a 1st Prize winning recipe in the Nestlé Toll House and Better Homes & Gardens Recipe Contest, and was submitted by Linda Morten of Katy, Texas.

Recipe Ingredients:

Éclair Shell:
3/4 cup water
6 tablespoons butter or margarine
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon salt
3 large eggs

Filling:
1 1/2 cups (9 ounces) NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels - divided use
3 tablespoons milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract - divided use
1 (8-ounce) package Neufchâtel (light cream cheese), softened
1/2 cup powdered sugar

15 large strawberries, hulled and tops trimmed level
1/3 cup seedless raspberry jam
1 3/4 cups frozen whipped topping, thawed
Powdered sugar for dusting

Cooking Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C). Grease 9-inch pie plate.
2. For Éclair Shell: Heat water and butter to a boil in small saucepan. Stir in flour and salt. Reduce heat to low; stir vigorously for 1 minute or until mixture forms a ball. Remove from heat. Cool for 2 to 3 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition, until smooth. Spread evenly over bottom of prepared pie plate.
3. Bake for 15 minutes or until sides puff up. Reduce heat to 350° F.; bake for an additional 10 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Press center down when cool.
4. For Filling: Place 1 1/4 cups morsels and milk in medium, uncovered microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on HIGH (100%) power for 1 minute; STIR. Morsels may retain some of their shape. If necessary, microwave at additional 10- to 15-second intervals, stirring until smooth. Do not overheat. Stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Spread mixture evenly over bottom of éclair shell. Refrigerate until chocolate is firm.
5. Beat cream cheese, sugar and remaining vanilla extract in small mixer bowl until smooth. Spread evenly over chocolate layer.
6. Arrange strawberries on cheese layer with pointed sides up. Microwave jam in small, uncovered microwave-safe bowl on HIGH (100%) power for 30 seconds; stir. Brush jam over strawberries and drizzle between strawberries. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
7. Pipe or dollop whipped topping between strawberries and éclair shell edge.
8. Place remaining morsels in heavy-duty plastic bag. Microwave on HIGH (100%) power for 30 seconds; knead. Microwave at additional 10 to 15-second intervals, kneading until smooth. Cut small hole in corner of bag. Squeeze to drizzle over strawberries. Dust with powdered sugar.
9. Serve immediately.

Makes 8 servings.

Nutritional Information Per Serving (1/8 of recipe): Calories: 530; Calories from Fat: 270; Total Fat: 30 g; Saturated Fat: 19 g; Cholesterol: 125 mg; Sodium: 260 mg; Carbohydrates: 56 g; Dietary Fiber: 3 g; Sugars: 39 g; Protein: 8 g.

Recipe and photograph are the property of Nestlé® and Meals.com, used with permission.