Ingredients

1 cup water
1 stick of butter (8 tablespoons)
1 cup flour
4 eggs

In saucepan, bring water to boil. Add butter to melt. Add flour all at once and stir to form a ball (just a few minutes). Place flour ball in mixing bowl and add eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition.
Drop small amounts on cooking sheet covered with brown paper. Bake at 425 degrees F. for 30-40 minutes; or until beads of moisture no longer show on surface of eclairs. Remove from oven and cool on rack. Slit each with sharp knife and fill with pastry cream. Frost with chocolate icing. Makes 16 large eclairs.
Each serving contains 222 calories, 12g fat, 24g carb, 279mg sodium, 50% calories from fat.

French Pastry Cream

3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
Dash salt
4 egg yolks, beaten
2 cups milk, scalded
1 tablespoon butter
1 teaspoon vanilla

In top of a double boiler, stir together 3/4 cup sugar, 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, dash of salt and 4 beaten egg yolks. Beating constantly with a spoon to keep mixture smooth, gradually pour in 2 cups scalded milk (heated until small bubbles appear).
Pour hot water into bottom of double boiler, being sure water will not touch bottom of top pan. Bring water to a boil; then reduce to a simmer. Put top of double boiler in place over simmering water. Stir vigorously with a wire whisk or a spoon for 4 to 5 minutes or until mixture boils and thickens. Stir in 1 tablespoon butter and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Let cool before using. Makes 3 cups.
Each 1/4 cup contains 203 calories, 10g fat, 22g carb, 71mg sodium, 330mg cholesterol, 43% calories from fat. From "Easy Basics for Good Cooking" by Sunset.

Chocolate Frosting

1 box (1 pound) powdered sugar
1/2 cup (1/4 pound) butter or margarine, melted and cooled
4 to 6 tablespoons milk
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

Sift powdered sugar into a medium-size bowl. Add melted butter, 4 tablespoons milk, cocoa and vanilla extract; stir to blend. Beat with an electric mixer on high speed for 4 to 5 minutes or until frosting is light and fluffy and of spreading consistency. If it seems a little thick, beat in 1 or 2 more tablespoons milk. Makes about 2 1/4 cups.

Each 1/4 cup contains 73 calories, 3g fat, 13g carb, 28mg sodium, 8mg cholesterol, 31% calories from fat. From "Easy Basics for Good Cooking" by Sunset.