Valay-Brest
A Valay-Brest is a mini eclair, filled with apple-flavoured confectioner's custard and topped with a rectangle of walnut nougatine.
74 K 4.2/5 (20 reviews)
1 hour 30 min.
Average
72 pieces
5 IngredientsLast modified on: May 14th 2014
For 72 pieces, you will need:
- 1
4 cups choux pastry (pâte à choux) - 2
2 2⁄3 cups apple confectioner's custard - 3
2⁄3 cup walnut kernels - 4
2 cups caster sugar - 5
9 tablespoons water (optional)
Change measures:
Times for this recipe
Preparation: 60 min.
Cooking: 30 min.
All in all: 1 hour 30 min.
If you start now, at , you will finish around : ?.Change start time
To finish around 7pm, you'll need to have started before: .Change end time
Step by step recipe
Stage 1 - 20 min.
Preheat the oven to 360°F (180°C).
Prepare 4 cups choux pastry (pâte à choux) and pipe the eclairs about 5-6 cm (2 inches) long using a forcing bag with a ridged nozzle, if possible.
Prepare 4 cups choux pastry (pâte à choux) and pipe the eclairs about 5-6 cm (2 inches) long using a forcing bag with a ridged nozzle, if possible.
Stage 2 - 15 min.
Bake the mini eclairs.
Stage 3 - 5 min.
When cold, cut in half lengthways.
Stage 4 - 5 min.
Fill each "bottom" with apple-flavoured confectioner's custard.
Stage 5 - 5 min.
Replace the "lid".
Fill all the eclairs like this and put to wait in the fridge.
Fill all the eclairs like this and put to wait in the fridge.
Stage 6 - 5 min.
Prepare the walnut nougatine: preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C). Spread 2⁄3 cup walnut kernels on a baking sheet and toast for 5 minutes in the oven.
Stage 7 - 5 min.
When cooled, use a blender to grind the toasted walnuts to a powder.
Stage 8 - 10 min.
Stage 9 - 1 min.
Tip the ground walnuts into the caramel...
Stage 10 - 1 min.
...and mix thoroughly.
Now you need to work as quickly as possible, because the nougatine will set rapidly as it cools.
Now you need to work as quickly as possible, because the nougatine will set rapidly as it cools.
Stage 11 - 1 min.
Pour the nougatine out onto a sheet of cooking parchment.
Stage 12 - 3 min.
Lay a second sheet on top and roll the nougatine out as thinly as possible with a rolling pin.
Stage 13 - 2 min.
Use a large knife to cut the nougatine, or at least score it, into strips about 1 cm (0.3 inch) wide.
Stage 14 - 5 min.
When cooled, cut the strips apart.
Stage 15 - 5 min.
Stick these onto the tops of the eclairs with a little confectioner's custard.
Refrigerate until needed, but do not serve too cold.
Refrigerate until needed, but do not serve too cold.
Remarks
It is not essential for the nougatine to be a rectangle exactly the size and shape of the eclair. On the contrary, the "deconstructed" look with pieces laid side by side can be attractive.
Some recipes insist that the caramel for the nougatine should be made "dry", i.e. without added water, but I don't think this is essential.
Some recipes insist that the caramel for the nougatine should be made "dry", i.e. without added water, but I don't think this is essential.
Keeping: An hour or two, not much longer.
Source: Home made.
Nutritional information
| Proteins (gr) | Carbohydrates (gr) | Fats (gr) | Energy value (in k-calories) | Energy value (in k-joules) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whole recipe | 340 RDI=130 % | 1,950 RDI=180 % | 1,070 RDI=160 % | 8,190 RDI=410 % | 34,280 RDI: 410 % |
| Per 100 g | 20 RDI=6 % | 90 RDI=9 % | 50 RDI=8 % | 390 RDI=20 % | 1,630 RDI: 20 % |
| Per piece | 4 RDI=2 % | 30 RDI=3 % | 10 RDI=2 % | 110 RDI=6 % | 480 RDI: 6 % |
How much will it cost?
- For 72 pieces : 9.40 €
- Per piece : 0.15 €
Change currency: 
Note: Be careful, these prices are only an estimate, you can consult the table of prices by ingredients used for this estimate.
This recipe uses (among others)
Choux pastry (pâte à choux)
You can get more informations, or check-out other recipes which use it, for example: Pets de nonne, Saint Honoré cake, Chouquettes, Puits d'amour, Mini Mont-Blanc choux puffs, ... See them all 8
Apple confectioner's custard
You can get more informations, or check-out other recipes which use it, for example:
Caster sugar
Like these other recipes: Pear, grapefruit and pistachio tart, Nantes Tourton, Panettone, How to cook caramelized puff pastry well, Caramel semolina pudding with raisins, ... See them all 357
Walnut kernels
Like these other recipes: Chocolate thins with toasted nuts, Raw beetroot mousse with walnuts, Walnut short bread, Endive and walnut salad, Special Cheese and Walnut Sticks, ... See them all 19
Other recipes you may also like
Epiphany galette
Here is the recipe for the very classic but delicious "galette des rois" (Epiphany galette) in puff or flaky pastry (pâte feuilletée) with almond cream or frangipane . You will also see some professional tips to easily handle the dough, and obtain a nice and regular galette.January 1st 2025292 K 24.5 3 hours 8 min.
Cretan salad
A hint of Crete in the flavours of this salad, with a mix of crunchy and soft textures: diced tomatoes, sliced spring onions, feta and tuna.August 29th 201865 K 50 min.
Nonettes
Nonettes are small, jam-filled cakes from a bygone age. They originated in Dijon, where they were made by nuns (hence the name, which means "little nun" in French). The traditional version is closer to the French "pain d'épices", but this recipe has a more of a citrus flavour, made with marmalade.June 2nd 201594 K4.4 1 hour 50 min.
Surf and turf club sandwich
This is a rapid club sandwich recipe that combines the taste of the sea (sardines in oil) with the terrestrial flavour of fried bacon. The two are accompanied by a layer of cream cheese with herbs.September 10th 201740 K4.3 25 min.
Potato galette
This potato "cake" is like a big savoury pancake of duchess potatoes (mashed potato with egg yolks), mixed with strips of fried ham, chives and spring onions. The galette is cooked in the oven in a tin and cut into portions for serving. This is delicious on its own or with a good green salad on the...July 10th 201960 K 1 hour 15 min.
News list of cooking-ez.com
Sign up to receive the latest recipes (next batch due to be sent on 2025-04-06)
Note: We'll never share your e-mail address with anyone else.
Post a comment or question
Follow this recipe
If you are interested in this recipe, you can "follow" it, by entering your email address here. You will then receive a notification immediately each time the recipe is modified or a new comment is added. Please note that you will need to confirm this following.
Note: We'll never share your e-mail address with anyone else.
Alternatively: you can subscribe to the mailing list of cooling-ez.com , you will receive a e-mail for each new recipe published on the site.