Preheat oven to 425F.

In a heavy saucepan over medium heat, stir together milk, water, butter, salt and sugar and bring to a rolling boil.

Just after the liquid comes to a boil, add flour all at once, mix thoroughly.

Cook over medium heat until bottom is slightly browned.

Transfer to bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix for 5 minutes to allow the batter to cool.

Add eggs in one by one, and continue to mix until combined.

Transfer mixture to a piping bag fitted with a large pastry tip.

Pipe thumb sized lengths of pastry on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.

Put one piece of five-spice crust (recipe below) on each éclair.

Bake for 10 minutes, or until just set. Reduce heat to 325F and bake until done all the way through, approximately 10 more minutes.

Remove from oven, cool and cut in half lengthwise like a hotdog.

Combine all ingredients into a large mixing bowl and mix until dough forms.

Put into fridge until firm. Roll to 2 mm thickness and cut into thumb sized rectangles.

In a heavy saucepan over medium heat, stir together 3/4 of the milk and vanilla seeds, and bring to a boil.

While milk is heating, in a separate bowl, mix together sugar and egg yolk.

Add cornstarch and remaining milk to egg mixture and mix until combined.

Once milk has come to a boil, temper the yolk mix with half the milk, by slowly drizzling in the milk and mixing quickly, being careful not to heat up the eggs too quickly. Stir to combine.

Put back into pot and mix with remaining milk.

Bring to a boil over medium high heat, stirring constantly.

Remove from heat and let cool. Store with saran wrap directly on custard to prevent skin forming.

Combine cream and sugar and vanilla seeds into bowl of a mixer.

Mix with a whisk attachment on high until doubled in volume.