Crème Pâtissière (or Pastry Cream) is a deliciously creamy and thick vanilla custard that can be used as a filling for many desserts, cakes and baked goods.
4largeEgg Yolksat room temperature (approx 80 grams)
45gr Caster Sugaror fine white granulated sugar
40gr Cornstarchor Plain / A-P Flour
30gr Unsalted Butter (optional)cubed, at room temperature
Instructions
Place the Milk in a small saucepan. Slice the vanilla bean in half, scrap the seeds then place both the seeds and the bean in the milk. Turn on low heat and bring to a simmer. Turn off the heat, cover the sasucepan with a lid and leave to infuse for 15 to 20 minutes. If using Vanilla Paste or extract, you do not need to let it infuse in the milk.
In a seperate heat-proof bowl, whisk the Egg Yolks and Sugar until foamy. Add the sifted Cornstarch and whisk until smooth.
Carefully pour the warm milk over the Yolk/Sugar mixture while continuously whisking (see note 1). When all smooth, transfer the whole mixture back into the saucepan over the stove and turn on low heat
Keep whisking on low heat until the cream starts to thicken - about 5 to 8 minutes (note 2). When you see the first bubble appear on top of the cream, keep whisking for 30 seconds then directly remove from the heat (note 3).
To precisely cook the pastry cream, use a kitchen thermometer. The custard is cooked once it reaches 82 to 84 degrees Celsius (180 to 183 degrees Fahrenheit).
If using the Butter, add it into the warm pastry cream a little bit at a time. Mix well and continue to add until all fully incorporated and smooth.
Transfer the Pastry Cream into a large shallow pan or container (note 4) and cover with plastic wrap touching the surface of the cream (note 5).
Place in the fridge and leave to cool down set for at least two hour - or until cool and thickened.
Keep in the frigde for up to 3 days, until ready to be used. Before using, whisk the cream to loosen it.
Video
Notes
This is to temper all the ingredients and make sure the eggs don't burn or curd once placed on the stove
Always work with low heat to avoid burning the cream and/or overcooking the eggs. It will take longer to thicken, but it is the best way to get the perfect creamy texture without any lumps.
The cooking time depends on the quantity of Milk. As a general rule, count 1 minute of cooking after the first boil for 1 litre of Milk. We are using half a litre of milk here, so we cook it for 30 seconds.
Storing the cream in a shallow pan or container will help the cream cool down much faster and more evenly as well.
It is important to cover the cream with wrap touching the surface to avoid the creation of a thin crust over the cream.