The Key to the Ideal Pastry Cream
The Key to the Ideal Pastry Cream
Ingredients
480 ml (2 cups) whole milk
1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar, divided
1 vanilla bean or 1 tsp vanilla extract
5 large egg yolks
30 g (1/4 cup) cornstarch
2 tbsp (30 g) unsalted butter, finely chopped
Instructions
Prepare the Milk Mixture:
In a medium saucepan, combine the whole milk with half of the granulated sugar (1/4 cup).
Add the seeds from the vanilla bean or, if using vanilla extract, add it later.
Set the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar.
Prepare the Egg Mixture:
In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, the remaining 1/4 cup of granulated sugar, and the cornstarch until the mixture is creamy and pale, about 2-3 minutes.
Temper the Eggs:
When the milk mixture is hot, gradually add about one-third of it to the egg mixture, whisking continuously to prevent curdling.
Pour the tempered egg mixture back into the saucepan with the remaining hot milk.
Cook the Pastry Cream:
Return the saucepan to medium heat, whisking continuously until the mixture thickens and starts to bubble, about 2-3 minutes.
Once it begins to boil, continue cooking for 1-2 minutes to ensure the cornstarch is fully cooked.
Finish the Pastry Cream:
Remove the saucepan from the heat and immediately whisk in the butter and any vanilla extract if a vanilla bean wasn’t used.
Strain the pastry cream through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean bowl to remove any lumps or bits of cooked egg.
Press a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the pastry cream to prevent a skin from forming.
Allow the pastry cream to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until thoroughly chilled, at least 2 hours
.Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh milk, eggs, and butter significantly enhance the flavor and texture of your pastry cream.
Whisk Continuously: To ensure a smooth texture, whisk continuously while cooking to prevent lumps.
Strain the Cream: Straining the pastry cream guarantees a silky smooth texture, free from any cooked egg bits.
Proper Cooling: Applying plastic wrap directly to the surface of the pastry cream prevents a skin from forming, which can affect the texture.