French Pastry Cream Recipe
Description:
French pastry cream, also known as crème pâtissière, is a lusciously light and rich custard filling that adds a touch of elegance to any dessert creation. Whether adorning a cake, enhancing the flavor of a fruit tart, filling a puff pastry, or draping over a delicate dessert crepe, this creamy delight is sure to elevate your culinary masterpiece. With its velvety texture and delightful sweetness, it’s perfect for pouring over a fresh fruit cup for a simple yet indulgent treat. Best of all, it’s quick and easy to make, allowing you to impress your guests with minimal effort.
Recipe Overview:
- Preparation Time: 2 hours
- Cooking Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours and 10 minutes
- Servings: Approximately 2 3/4 cups
- Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨ (4.5/5)
- Calories per Serving: 490.5
- Keywords: European, Healthy, Weeknight, < 4 Hours, Easy
Ingredients:
- 2 1/4 cups milk
- 4 egg yolks
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1/4 cup flour
- 2 tsp vanilla extract (or other desired flavorings)
Instructions:
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | In a medium saucepan, heat 2 cups of milk over medium heat until it reaches a gentle boil. |
| 2 | While the milk is heating, in a separate bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, sugar, and the remaining 1/4 cup of milk until well combined. |
| 3 | Gradually whisk in the cornstarch and flour until the mixture is smooth and free of lumps. |
| 4 | Once the milk has come to a boil, remove it from the heat and gradually pour about 1/3 of it into the egg mixture, whisking constantly to temper the eggs. |
| 5 | Pour the tempered egg mixture back into the saucepan with the remaining milk, whisking constantly to combine. |
| 6 | Return the saucepan to the stovetop and cook the mixture over medium-high heat, whisking constantly, until it thickens and comes to a boil. This should take approximately 2-3 minutes. |
| 7 | Once the mixture has reached a boil, reduce the heat to low and continue to cook for an additional 2 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent sticking or burning. |
| 8 | Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract or any other desired flavorings. |
| 9 | Transfer the pastry cream to a bowl and cover the surface with plastic wrap, pressing it directly onto the cream to prevent a skin from forming. |
| 10 | Allow the pastry cream to cool to room temperature before refrigerating it for at least 2 hours to chill and set. |
Serving Suggestions:
- Enjoy the French pastry cream as a filling for cakes, tarts, pastries, or crepes.
- Serve it alongside fresh fruit for a delicious and refreshing dessert.
- Use it as a base for other desserts such as éclairs, profiteroles, or fruit parfaits.
Tips:
- Be sure to whisk the egg mixture continuously while tempering to prevent the eggs from curdling.
- Stir the pastry cream constantly while cooking to ensure a smooth and creamy texture.
- Experiment with different flavorings such as almond extract, citrus zest, or liqueurs to customize the taste according to your preferences.
- To prevent a skin from forming on the surface of the pastry cream, make sure to cover it with plastic wrap immediately after transferring it to a bowl.
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 490.5
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 6.9g
- Cholesterol: 296.2mg
- Sodium: 111.7mg
- Carbohydrates: 78.6g
- Fiber: 0.4g
- Sugar: 49.2g
- Protein: 11.7g
Indulge in the decadent goodness of this French pastry cream, and let its creamy richness elevate your dessert creations to new heights of culinary delight! 🍰✨
