Description
A rich and creamy pastry cream perfect for filling desserts.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups whole milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste (or vanilla extract)
- 4 large egg yolks
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 3 Tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
Instructions
- Combine 2 cups whole milk and 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook until just simmering, about 10 minutes.
- While the milk is cooking, add 4 large egg yolks, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, and 1/8 teaspoon salt to a large mixing bowl. Whisk together until smooth.
- Add 3 Tablespoons cornstarch to the egg mixture and whisk again until it is all incorporated. The mixture will be light yellow and thick like paste.
- Once the milk has cooked, pour a small amount of hot milk into the egg mixture while whisking to avoid cooking the eggs.
- Continue to add the milk a little at a time, mixing well between each addition, until all of the milk has been added.
- Return the egg and milk mixture to the saucepan.
- Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until the mixture thickens to a pudding like texture, about 3 minutes. Continue to cook the cream mixture for another 2 minutes to set the starch. Stir constantly to prevent burning.
- Remove from heat and stir in 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter until melted.
- Transfer the pastry cream to a clean bowl. Cover it with plastic wrap, taking care to place the plastic directly on the surface of the cream so no skin can form.
- Prepare a second, larger bowl with ice and cold water. Transfer the pastry cream bowl into the water bath to cool for 30 minutes prior to refrigerating.
- Refrigerate the pastry cream for 2-3 hours before using.
- After refrigeration, remove the plastic wrap and whisk the cream until the consistency is smooth again. Transfer into a piping bag to use in pastry.
Notes
- Pastry cream can be flavored with other extracts or citrus zest.
- Make sure to whisk constantly during cooking to avoid burning.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 cup
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 60mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 150mg