# Ingredient List:
→ Choux Pastry
01 - ½ cup water
02 - ¼ cup whole milk
03 - ½ cup unsalted butter, cubed
04 - ½ teaspoon fine salt
05 - 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
06 - ¾ cup all-purpose flour
07 - 3 large eggs, room temperature
→ Vanilla Pastry Cream
08 - 1 cup whole milk
09 - ½ vanilla bean, split or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
10 - 3 large egg yolks
11 - ¼ cup granulated sugar
12 - 2 tablespoons cornstarch
13 - 1½ tablespoons unsalted butter
→ Fondant Glaze
14 - 7 ounces white fondant icing
15 - 1–2 tablespoons water
16 - Food coloring (optional)
→ Decoration
17 - Powdered sugar for dusting
18 - Edible gold leaf or silver dragées (optional)
# Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
02 - In a saucepan, combine water, milk, butter, salt, and sugar. Bring to a boil, then remove from heat. Add flour all at once and stir vigorously until dough forms and pulls away from sides.
03 - Return pan to low heat; cook dough, stirring constantly, for 1–2 minutes to dry slightly. Transfer to mixing bowl and let cool 5 minutes.
04 - Beat in eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition until dough is glossy and holds a soft peak.
05 - Fill piping bag fitted with 0.4 inch (1 cm) round tip. Pipe 24 tear-drop bodies and 24 S-shaped necks onto prepared sheets.
06 - Bake bodies for 20–22 minutes until golden and puffed. Bake necks separately for 10–12 minutes. Cool completely on wire rack.
07 - Heat milk and vanilla to simmering. Whisk egg yolks, sugar, and cornstarch until pale. Gradually whisk hot milk into yolk mixture, return to pan, and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thick and bubbling. Remove from heat and whisk in butter. Cool completely.
08 - Slice each body horizontally. Cut top half lengthwise to form wings. Pipe or spoon pastry cream onto base, insert neck, and arrange wings on sides.
09 - Warm fondant with water gently until smooth and pourable. Drizzle lightly over wings and necks; add food coloring details if desired.
10 - Arrange assembled swans on platter. Dust with powdered sugar and apply decorative gold leaf or silver dragées as desired.
