Eclairs are so tasty that you may be wondering if you can freeze them, so you always have one on hand when the craving hits. But since eclairs are made of so many delicate ingredients – is freezing them a viable option?
You can freeze eclairs as a whole unit or in separate parts as long as the custard or cream filling is not made with cornstarch. You can also freeze eclair cakes and desserts.
In the rest of this article, I’ll answer all your questions about eclairs and how to freeze them successfully. I will discuss if you can freeze eclairs containing cream or custard, if you can freeze any of these ingredients by themselves and how to thaw them.
If you love eclairs and want to always have some in your home, keep reading!
Can You Freeze Eclairs With Cream Inside?
You can freeze eclairs with cream inside as long as the cream isn’t made with cornstarch. Cornstarch-based creams often become too thin or thick when defrosting.
It is possible to freeze a baked eclair with cream inside as long as the cream was made with flour and not cornstarch. Cornstarch freezes, but the issue arises during the thawing process as the cream becomes either too thick or thin instead of the perfect consistency of a yummy eclair.
To freeze filled eclairs, you’ll need parchment paper. I recommend this Unbleached Parchment Paper for Baking, available on Amazon.com. I like that this paper is made with 100% natural wood pulp and has no impurities, paints, or additives. The paper is also better than most other parchment papers because it is larger in size and stronger.
Once you have your parchment paper:
- Line a baking tray with the paper and place the eclairs on the tray, leaving some space between each pastry.
- Place the tray in the freezer.
- After about an hour, take the pastries off the baking tray and into airtight containers for storage.
- Place a piece of parchment paper between each eclair pastry. This will prevent the eclairs from sticking together.Â
The pastries will expand a little as they freeze, so make sure to leave at least an inch of space in each container to allow space for this expansion.
Should You Decorate Eclairs Before Freezing Them?
If you plan on icing or decorating your eclairs, it is best to wait until they’re thawed and ready to eat because icing doesn’t freeze well.
Eclairs taste best when eaten as close to their preparation date as possible, so you should only freeze them for a maximum of one month. After a month, the pastries will be soggy and no longer tasty.
Additionally, it is important to use high-quality, freezer-safe, airtight containers when freezing eclairs. They’re already going to get a little soggy, which is unavoidable, but keeping them in an airtight container will help.
I like the TigerChef Food Storage Container Set from Amazon because these containers have a four-hinge locking system that ensures they are leakproof and airtight. Also, they are made with long-lasting, thick plastic, so they will last.
The best way to defrost an eclair is to use the oven. You can place the eclairs in your hot oven and bake them until the shells are as crispy as you want them to be.Â
Another option is to thaw the eclairs overnight in the refrigerator. After they’re thawed, it will only take a few minutes in the oven to get the shell crispy (source: Freeze It).
Can You Freeze Custard Eclairs?
You cannot freeze custard eclairs because most custard fillings use cornstarch, which makes the custard too thick or thin upon freezing. However, if the custard doesn’t contain cornstarch, you can freeze the eclairs.
Many custards are made using milk, eggs, and cornstarch. Unfortunately, when frozen, cornstarch causes the filling to become too thin or too thick for it to taste good. Therefore, you cannot freeze custard eclairs if the custard is made with cornstarch.
However, if the custard filling is completely flour-based and doesn’t contain cornstarch, you can freeze the eclair following the same process as if there were cream inside the eclair.
Can You Freeze Eclair Cases or Shells?
You can freeze eclair cases or shells for stuffing later. This is the best way to keep the eclairs as crisp as possible throughout the freezing process. Filled eclairs that are frozen and then thawed will always be a little softer and soggier than fresh eclairs.
One way to ensure that your eclairs are as crisp as possible, even after freezing, is to freeze eclair shells and the filling separately.
To freeze eclair shells, you’ll need wax paper. I recommend the Perfect Stix Deli Wax Paper from Amazon because the box comes with 500 sheets, so you’ll definitely have enough wax paper for freezing eclair shells for a long time. They are also safe to use in the microwave.
You should wait until the eclair shells are completely cool for the most successful freezing. Then:
- Wrap the shells in wax paper to prevent freezer burn.
- Place the wrapped shells into airtight containers and keep them in the freezer for no more than two months. You can use plastic storage containers, such as Tupperware, or you can use plastic freezer bags.
My favorite freezer bags are the Ziploc Quart Freezer Slider Bags, available on Amazon. I like these bags because they are sturdy, reusable, and recyclable. Additionally, the durable BPA-free plastic will last a long time.
When you’re ready to eat, remove the shells from the containers and leave them at room temperature for one hour to thaw. Then, put them in the oven for a few minutes to restore crispness and they’re ready to fill and serve!
Can You Freeze Eclair Cakes or Desserts?
You can freeze eclair cakes or desserts in an airtight container for up to one month. Then, thaw the cake or dessert in the refrigerator and it’s ready for you to enjoy.
Eclair cakes are meant to mimic the flavor of eclairs but without the trouble of actually making the eclairs. Instead of having a cream or custard filling, most of the cakes use some sort of pudding to mimic the mousse-like texture you’d get from the cream.
Most cakes also use graham crackers instead of choux pastry, which is much simpler and easier to work with ingredients.
If you want to prepare an eclair cake ahead of time and freeze it, you can! Most eclair cakes can last up to one month in the freezer as long as they are in an airtight container (source: Cookies & Cups).
Can You Freeze Raw Eclairs To Cook Later?
You cannot freeze raw eclairs to cook later because unbaked choux pastry does not freeze or refrigerate well, and the pastry would not rise properly after thawing.
Unbaked choux pastry is a delicate ingredient. It does not freeze or refrigerate well because of the loss of air bubbles that contribute to the texture of the pastry.
In general, it is best to bake choux pastry right away and then freeze the baked dough. You shouldn’t freeze raw eclairs to cook later (source: The Food Show).
Can You Freeze Eclair Dough To Keep It?
You can freeze eclair dough to keep it if you bake it first. The dough can keep for up to three months. What’s more, the frozen pastry dough does not need to thaw before cooking.
Eclairs are made with choux pastry, which is a delicate dough made with butter, water, flour, and eggs. Luckily, this type of dough keeps relatively well in the freezer IF you bae it first. If you plan to keep choux pastry dough for later, you should always bake it, then freeze it, instead of simply putting it in the refrigerator.Â
When placed in the refrigerator, the weight of the dough collapses the air bubbles that give eclairs their airy texture.
To freeze the eclair dough, put the baked dough on a baking tray in an eclair shape and freeze it for one hour. Placing the dough in the freezer immediately after shaping means there is less time for the air bubbles to collapse or escape, therefore the eclair will have a more airy texture.
Once the dough is frozen, you can place it in a freezer bag and keep it in your freezer for up to three months.
Can You Eat Frozen Eclairs or Do You Thaw Them?
You should thaw frozen eclairs before eating them. This is because if you don’t thaw the eclair first, you’ll miss out on the airy texture and creaminess that’s characteristic of eclairs.
One of the most distinctive features of an eclair is its airy texture. If you eat the eclair frozen without thawing it first, you won’t experience that same texture. Furthermore, the filling on the inside of the eclair would be hard and crunchy instead of smooth and creamy.
There is nothing dangerous about eating a frozen eclair, so it is possible to do so, but the flavor and the texture will be all wrong.
If you want to keep your eclairs for longer, you can safely freeze them for up to one month. You can also freeze the various eclair components separately to help with the texture of the pastry upon thawing.
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