Pastry cream, also known as crème pâtissière, is a versatile custard that can be used as a filling for cakes, tarts, eclairs, and other pastries. Here’s a basic recipe for pastry cream:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 4 large egg yolks
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Optional: zest of lemon or orange (for flavor variation)
Instructions:
- Prepare the Milk Mixture:
- In a medium saucepan, combine the whole milk and half of the sugar (1/4 cup). Heat over medium heat until it just starts to simmer, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar. Remove from heat once it simmers.
- Whisk Egg Yolks and Sugar:
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, remaining sugar (1/4 cup), and cornstarch until smooth and slightly pale.
- Temper the Eggs:
- Gradually pour the hot milk mixture into the egg yolk mixture, whisking constantly to temper the eggs. This prevents the eggs from scrambling when added to the hot liquid.
- Cook the Mixture:
- Pour the tempered egg mixture back into the saucepan. Place the saucepan back on the stove over medium heat. Cook, stirring constantly with a whisk or wooden spoon, until the mixture thickens and comes to a boil. This should take about 2-3 minutes.
- Add Vanilla Extract (and Zest, if using):
- Once the mixture boils and thickens, remove from heat. Stir in the vanilla extract (and zest, if using) until well combined.
- Strain and Chill:
- Optional but recommended: Strain the pastry cream through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean bowl to remove any lumps or bits of cooked egg. Cover the surface of the pastry cream with plastic wrap (to prevent a skin from forming) and chill in the refrigerator until cold, about 2-3 hours.
- Use as Desired:
- Once chilled, your pastry cream is ready to use. It can be used as a filling for cakes, tarts, eclairs, cream puffs, or any other pastry of your choice.
Pastry cream can be flavored in various ways by infusing the milk with different ingredients such as citrus zest, spices, or extracts like almond or coffee. It’s a delicious and essential component in many classic desserts!