How to make Crème Pâtissière (Pastry Cream) A Baking Journey from www.abakingjourney.com
Introduction
Creme patissiere is a classic French pastry cream that is used in many desserts. It is a rich and creamy custard that is made with milk, sugar, eggs, and flour or cornstarch. This delicious cream is used in eclairs, cream puffs, fruit tarts, and many other desserts that require a creamy filling. In this article, we will explore the creme patissiere recipe and all the tips and tricks to make the perfect pastry cream.
Ingredients
For this creme patissiere recipe, you will need the following ingredients:
2 cups whole milk
½ cup granulated sugar
4 egg yolks
¼ cup cornstarch
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Instructions
Step 1: Heat the milk
In a medium saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat until it comes to a simmer. Do not boil the milk.
Step 2: Mix the sugar and egg yolks
In a mixing bowl, whisk together the sugar and egg yolks until they are pale yellow and thick.
Step 3: Add the cornstarch
Add the cornstarch to the egg mixture and whisk until it is fully combined.
Step 4: Temper the eggs
Slowly pour the hot milk into the egg mixture, whisking constantly, until it is fully combined. This will temper the eggs and prevent them from curdling.
Step 5: Cook the custard
Pour the mixture back into the saucepan and cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until the custard thickens and comes to a boil. This will take about 5-7 minutes.
Step 6: Add the vanilla extract
Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
Step 7: Cool the custard
Pour the custard into a bowl and cover it with plastic wrap, making sure the plastic wrap is touching the surface of the custard. This will prevent a skin from forming. Chill the custard in the refrigerator until it is completely cooled.
Step 8: Serve
Your creme patissiere is now ready to use in your favorite desserts. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Here is the nutritional information for one serving of creme patissiere:
Calories: 180
Total fat: 6g
Saturated fat: 3g
Cholesterol: 160mg
Sodium: 50mg
Total carbohydrates: 27g
Dietary fiber: 0g
Sugar: 20g
Protein: 5g
Tips and Tricks
Tip 1: Use whole milk
Using whole milk will give you a richer and creamier creme patissiere. You can also use half-and-half or heavy cream for an even creamier custard.
Tip 2: Whisk constantly
Whisking constantly will prevent the custard from burning or curdling. It is important to keep whisking until the custard comes to a boil.
Tip 3: Chill the custard
Chilling the custard will thicken it even more and make it easier to pipe or spread in desserts.
Tip 4: Flavor variations
You can add different flavors to your creme patissiere, such as chocolate, coffee, or almond extract. Be creative and experiment with different flavors!
Conclusion
Creme patissiere is a versatile and delicious pastry cream that is perfect for many desserts. This creme patissiere recipe is easy to make and can be customized to your liking. Follow these tips and tricks to make the perfect custard every time. Enjoy!
