Banana Cream Eclairs

A bit of a twist from your normal eclair.

• Ready In: 1 hr 5 mins
• Serves: 16
• Yields: 16 eclairs

Ingredients

• 1  cup water
• 1⁄2 cup butter, cubed
• 1⁄4 cup sugar
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1  cup flour
• 4  eggs

• FILLING

• 2 1⁄2 cups heavy whipping cream
• 3  tablespoons sugar
• 1  teaspoon vanilla
• 1⁄2 teaspoon  almond extract
• 3  firm bananas

• GLAZE

• 1⁄2 cup confectioners' sugar
• 2  tablespoons  baking cocoa
• 2  tablespoons butter, melted
• 1  teaspoon vanilla
• 1 1⁄2 tablespoons boiling water
• 1⁄2 cup  finely chopped  almonds

Directions

1. In a large saucepan, bring water, butter, sugar and salt to a boil. Add flour all at once and stir until a smooth ball forms. Remove from the heat; let stand for 5 minutes.
2. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Continue beating until dough is smooth and shiny.
3. Insert a 3/4" round tip into a pastry bag; add dough. Pipe 3" strips about 3 inches apart on a greased baking sheet. Bake at 400 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown.
4. Remove to wire racks. Immediately split puffs open; remove tops and set aside. Discard soft dough from inside Cool puffs.
5. In a large mixing bowl, beat cream until it begins to thicken. Add sugar, vanilla and almond extracts. Beat until stiff peaks form. In another bowl, mash bananas and fold into the whipped cream. Spoon into eclairs and replace tops.
6. In a small bowl, combine the confectioners' sugar, cocoa, butter and vanilla. Add enough water to make into a thin glaze. Spread glaze over eclairs and sprinkle with chopped almonds. Serve immediately.