Pastry Cream
Indulge in the silky-smooth perfection of pastry cream—a classic French custard that’s the ultimate filling for desserts like éclairs, cream puffs, and fruit tarts. Made with rich egg yolks, creamy whole milk, and a touch of vanilla, this luxurious mixture thickens beautifully with cornstarch for a velvety texture. Quick to prepare in just 20 minutes from start to finish, this versatile recipe combines simple pantry staples like sugar, butter, and salt to create a decadent, flavorful centerpiece for countless treats. Whether you’re piping it into pastries or dolloping it onto cakes, this luscious custard is a must-have in any baker’s repertoire. Be sure to chill it thoroughly for the best consistency and flavor!
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Ingredients
- 2 cups Whole milk
- 0.5 cup Granulated sugar
- 4 large Egg yolks
- 0.25 cup Cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons Unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 0.125 teaspoon Salt
Directions
Step 1
In a medium saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat until it just begins to steam. Do not let it boil.
Step 2
In a mixing bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, egg yolks, cornstarch, and salt until smooth and pale in color.
Step 3
Slowly pour about 1/2 cup of the heated milk into the egg mixture while whisking constantly to temper the eggs.
Step 4
Gradually pour the tempered egg mixture back into the saucepan with the remaining hot milk, whisking constantly.
Step 5
Cook over medium heat, stirring continuously with a whisk or a wooden spoon, until the mixture thickens and comes to a gentle boil. This should take about 2 to 3 minutes.
Step 6
Once thickened, remove the saucepan from the heat and whisk in the butter and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
Step 7
Pour the pastry cream into a clean bowl and cover the surface directly with plastic wrap to prevent a skin from forming.
Step 8
Allow the pastry cream to cool to room temperature, then transfer it to the refrigerator to chill completely before using.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (705.0g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 1175.6 |
| Total Fat 57.7g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 29.5g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 0.5g | |
| Cholesterol 858.6mg | 0% |
| Sodium 518.3mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 140.2g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 0.1g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 124.4g | |
| Protein 27.0g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 287.9IU | 0% |
| Calcium 698.8mg | 0% |
| Iron 1.9mg | 0% |
| Potassium 821.5mg | 0% |
Source of Calories