Eclairs

My Mother used to make these eclairs all the time. They are always a hit!

• Ready In: 1 hr
• Serves: 12

Ingredients

• 1⁄2 cup butter or 1⁄2 cup margarine
• 1  cup water
• 1  cup all-purpose flour
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 4  eggs

• FILLING

• 1 (5 ounce) package vanilla instant pudding mix
• 2 1⁄2 cups  cold milk
• 1  cup  whipping cream
• 1⁄4 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1  teaspoon vanilla extract

• CHOCOLATE ICING

• 2 (1 ounce)  semi-sweet chocolate baking squares
• 2  tablespoons butter or 2  tablespoons margarine
• 1  cup confectioners' sugar
• 2 -3  tablespoons hot water

Directions

1. In a saucepan, combine butter and water.
2. Bring to a rapid boil, stirring until the butter melts.
3. Reduce heat to low; add flour and salt.
4. Stir vigorously until mixture leaves the sides of the pan and forms a stiff ball.
5. Remove from heat.
6. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
7. With a tablespoon or a pastry tube fitted with a No. 10 or larger tip, spoon or pipe dough into 4-in.-long x 1-1/2-in.-wide strips on a greased cookie sheet.
8. Bake at 450° for 15 minutes.
9. Reduce heat to 325°; bake 20 minutes longer.
10. Cool on a wire rack.
11. For filling, combine pudding mix and milk; mix according to package directions.
12. In another bowl, whip the cream until soft peaks form.
13. Beat in sugar and vanilla; fold into pudding.
14. Fill cooled shells. (Chill remaining pudding for another use.)
15. For icing, melt chocolate and butter in a saucepan over low heat.
16. Stir in sugar.
17. Add hot water until icing is smooth and reaches desired consistency.
18. Cool slightly.
19. Spread over eclairs.
20. Chill until serving.