Description
Delightful Pastry Cream elevates desserts with its silky French-inspired elegance, promising pure culinary bliss. Rich vanilla notes and luxurious texture invite home bakers to craft restaurant-quality sweet perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups whole milk
- 6 large egg yolks
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
Thickening Agents:
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Flavoring Ingredients:
- 1 vanilla bean (or 1 tablespoon vanilla extract)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, thoroughly blend egg yolks, sugars, salt, and cornstarch until smooth. Incorporate 1 cup milk and mix for one minute to create a uniform base.
- Microwave remaining milk until edges bubble (approximately 2-3 minutes at high power). If using vanilla bean, split and extract seeds, then infuse into warm milk.
- Gradually stream hot milk into egg mixture while continuously whisking to prevent curdling. Transfer saucepan to medium heat, stirring vigorously until mixture transforms and thickens substantially (2-3 minutes).
- Maintain aggressive whisking until custard reaches dense consistency and temperature stabilizes around 200°F. Continue stirring for additional 15-45 seconds to ensure proper texture.
- Immediately remove from heat and fold in butter and vanilla extract. Carefully strain through fine-mesh sieve into clean bowl to eliminate potential lumps.
- Create protective seal by pressing plastic wrap directly against custard surface, preventing skin formation. Refrigerate for minimum two hours to completely set and develop rich, smooth consistency.
Notes
- Whisk egg mixture vigorously and continuously while adding hot milk to ensure a smooth, lump-free pastry cream.
- Swap vanilla bean with extract seamlessly, using 1-2 teaspoons for rich flavor if whole bean is unavailable.
- Use a digital thermometer to accurately monitor custard temperature, stopping cooking precisely at 200F to avoid overcooking.
- Pastry cream keeps well in refrigerator for 3-4 days when sealed tightly with plastic wrap directly touching surface to prevent skin formation.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 170
- Sugar: 14.5 g
- Sodium: 100 mg
- Fat: 8.3 g
- Saturated Fat: 4.0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4.1 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 19.3 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 4.0 g
- Cholesterol: 160 mg