Eclair Torte

If you want to impress someone this holiday season but you don't want to go to a lot of trouble...I've got the perfect recipe for you!

ECLAIR TORTE

1 cup water
1/2 cup butter (no substitutes)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup all-purpose flour
4 eggs
1 pkg (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened
2 pkgs (3.4 oz. each) instant vanilla (or chocolate) pudding mix
3 cups cold milk
1 carton (12 oz.) frozen whipped topping, thawed
Chocolate syrup

In a saucepan over medium heat, bring water, butter and salt to a boil. Add flour all at once; stir until a smooth ball forms. Remove from the heat; let stand for 5 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well with a wooden spoon after each addition. Beat until smooth. Spread into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking pan. Bake at 400 for 30-35 minutes or until puffed and golden brown. Cool Completely on wire rack. If desired, remove puff from pan and place on a serving platter (if you do this, it gets really messy...I recommend leaving it in the pan). In a mixing bowl beat cream cheese, pudding mix and milk until smooth. Spread over puff; refrigerate for 20 minutes. Spread with whipped topping; refrigerate. Drizzle with chocolate syrup just before serving. Refrigerate leftovers. Makes 12 servings.

* sorry, I don't have a picture...I'm not making this until next week...I just thought I'd share it in time for you to use for all those holiday parties coming up. Enjoy!