WordGarden.ioeclair
C2Pronunciation
UK
US
- /ɪˈklɛr/
Meanings
Noun
a long pastry filled with cream and usually topped with icing
Beyond the definition
Imagine walking into a Paris bakery. The air smells of butter and sugar, and your eyes stop on a row of long pastries with shiny icing on top. An éclair is a light choux pastry filled with cream, often vanilla, chocolate, or coffee, and finished with a glaze, usually chocolate.
It is mostly known as a sweet dessert and is a common treat in bakeries and pastry shops. When people talk about one, they usually mean the classic French pastry with a soft filling inside and a smooth topping outside. It feels a little fancy, but it is also simple: a crisp shell, a creamy center, and a sweet finish.
An éclair (pronounced "eh-KLAYR") is a classic French pastry made from pâte à choux—the same light, airy dough used for cream puffs and profiteroles. The dough is piped into an oblong shape and baked until crisp and hollow, then filled with a rich custard or crème pâtissière. While the traditional fillings are vanilla, chocolate, or coffee, modern variations have expanded to include everything from salted caramel to fruit-infused creams. The pastry is finished with a glossy layer of icing—typically chocolate ganache—which gives it its signature shimmer.
The name "éclair" first appeared in the mid-19th century. It is the French word for "lightning," and many food historians believe it earned this name because of how quickly the pastry can be eaten. It became a staple of French high society before spreading across the globe to become one of the most recognizable desserts in the world.
Today, éclairs are a favorite for anyone seeking a rich treat. From the simple elegance of a chocolate-topped classic to modern versions decorated with fresh fruit or other fillings, the pastry has kept its place as both an everyday bakery item and a special dessert. So, the next time you enjoy an éclair, remember that you are tasting a piece of French baking history that still brings a small flash of joy.
Examples
- 1
Cafe order
She ordered a chocolate eclair with her coffee.
- 2
Bakery flavors
The bakery sells eclairs in vanilla, coffee, and pistachio flavors.
- 3
Dessert tray
By the time dessert came out, only one eclair was left on the tray.
See also
Contrast
- doughnut
Do not confuse
- long john
Used with (collocations)
- chocolate eclair
- cream-filled eclair
- mini eclair
Explore
- choux pastry
- cream puff
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- eclairnoun