Description
Silky smooth pastry cream embodies the essence of French patisserie, promising delightful richness in every spoonful. Sweet culinary magic awaits you with this classic dessert foundation that elevates simple ingredients into extraordinary culinary moments.
Ingredients
Scale
Dairy and Liquid:
- 2 cups (480 milliliters) whole milk
- 2 tablespoons (30 grams) unsalted butter
Sweeteners and Thickeners:
- 1/2 cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup (30 grams) cornstarch
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Protein and Flavoring:
- 4 large egg yolks
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Infuse milk with half the sugar in a saucepan, heating until tiny bubbles form around the edges at medium temperature, then set aside.
- Whisk egg yolks, remaining sugar, cornstarch, and salt in a separate bowl until a silky, uniform consistency develops.
- Introduce a small stream of hot milk into the egg mixture, whisking vigorously to prevent curdling and gradually equalize temperatures.
- Transfer the tempered egg mixture back into the milk-filled saucepan, maintaining smooth, constant motion.
- Restore the saucepan to medium heat, stirring continuously for 3-4 minutes until the mixture transforms into a thick, pudding-like texture with gentle bubbling.
- Immediately remove from heat and incorporate butter and vanilla, blending until the cream achieves a glossy, uniform appearance.
- Enhance texture by passing the cream through a fine-mesh strainer, eliminating potential lumps and ensuring a velvety consistency.
- Protect the cream’s surface by pressing plastic wrap directly against it, preventing moisture loss and skin formation during cooling.
Notes
- Tempering technique is crucial to prevent scrambling eggs, so pour hot milk slowly while whisking vigorously to create a smooth, silky base.
- Straining the pastry cream through a fine-mesh sieve eliminates any potential lumps, ensuring an ultra-creamy, professional-quality texture.
- Cool the pastry cream quickly by placing the bowl over an ice bath, stirring occasionally to speed up the cooling process and maintain its luxurious consistency.
- For dietary variations, substitute dairy milk with almond or coconut milk, and use cornstarch alternatives like arrowroot for gluten-free and vegan adaptations.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 210 kcal
- Sugar: 24 g
- Sodium: 110 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 0.1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 135 mg