Pastry Cream Secret Recipe

Pastry cream, also known as crème pâtissière, is a rich custard used in various desserts like éclairs, tarts, and pastries. Here’s a classic recipe for pastry cream:

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 4 large egg yolks
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (or the seeds from 1 vanilla bean)

Instructions:

  1. Heat the Milk: In a medium saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat until it’s just about to boil. Remove from heat.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the sugar, cornstarch, and salt.
  3. Whisk Egg Yolks: In another bowl, whisk the egg yolks until they are light in color. Gradually add the sugar mixture to the egg yolks, whisking until combined.
  4. Temper the Eggs: Slowly pour the hot milk into the egg mixture while whisking constantly to prevent the eggs from scrambling.
  5. Cook the Mixture: Pour the mixture back into the saucepan and cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until it thickens and comes to a gentle boil (about 2-3 minutes).
  6. Add Butter and Vanilla: Remove from heat and stir in the butter and vanilla extract (or vanilla bean seeds) until smooth.
  7. Cool the Cream: Transfer the pastry cream to a bowl, cover with plastic wrap (press it directly onto the surface to prevent a skin from forming), and let it cool to room temperature. Then refrigerate until ready to use.

Absolutely, you can add different flavors to pastry cream! Here are some ideas:

  1. Chocolate: Melt about 4 ounces of chocolate (dark, milk, or white) and whisk it in after the pastry cream has thickened.
  2. Citrus: Add the zest of a lemon, orange, or lime to the milk while heating it. You can also add a little juice for extra flavor.
  3. Coffee: Dissolve 1-2 tablespoons of instant coffee or espresso powder in the milk as it heats for a rich coffee flavor.
  4. Almond: Use almond extract instead of vanilla for a nutty flavor.
  5. Spices: You can infuse spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamom into the milk while heating. Just strain them out before mixing with the egg yolks.

Feel free to experiment with different combinations to find what you like best!

And there you go! You now have a delicious pastry cream to use in your favorite desserts. Enjoy!

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