Crème patisserie also known as pastry cream is a wonderful filling for many desserts. Used as a filling for fruit tarts, eclairs and cream puffs to mane a few this is a versatile custard for many types of desserts.
This is one of my favorite go-to recipes for any time I want a light dessert. Crème patisserie is a simple and easy to make custard that goes well with so many pastries and other types of desserts. I think the reason I like this so much especially in fruit tarts is when I was younger they were one of my favorite desserts to get on my birthday. Whether it is stacked between layers of puff pastry or in the middle of a Boston cream pie you cannot go wrong with this baker’s workhorse.
In this recipe
There are just a few ingredients in this recipe which makes it easy to make since they are normally found in your kitchen.
Milk: this is the basis of custard. You will want to use whole milk, heavy cream, or half and half. This gives it that luscious consistency.
Flour/Cornstarch: this is the thickening agent and is necessary for the final product.
Vanilla: you will want to a high quality extract or vanilla bean
Egg yolks: these help give the luscious texture of the crème patisserie. Also since there aren’t any egg whites this recipe it will help keep it from curdling when it starts to boil.
Heating the milk
The very first thing you want to do is make sure that you heat the milk. If you are using a vanilla bean then you will want to scrape the inside of the bean and add it to the milk along with the pod. You do not want to let the milk boil as it will scald. Just stir and heat it until you see steam start to rise from the milk. Once that happens add the cover and remove from the heat. This will let the vanilla infuse with the milk and intensify. Let this cool while you make the next part.
Whisking the yolks
While the milk is doing its thing you will want to prepare the egg yolk base. When you start to whisk the yolks everything will clump up in the bottom of the whisk. Keep going, the yolks will thin and the mixture will become lighter and more pale. Once that happens add the milk slowly to the egg yolks. If you add it all at once the heat of the milk may cook the yolks. Continue to whisk until the milk is completely combined. If using a vanilla bean remove the pod just before mixing.
Cooking the crème patisserie
When you start to cook the crème patisserie you will want to keep whisking. This will help prevent the pastry cream from burning and creating clumps. Once it starts to boil you need to let it cook for at least another minute. This will help it set up properly when cooked. Don’t cook it too much longer than that additional minute. If you cook too much liquid out you might get a firm or rubbery result. By placing the cling film directly on top of the pastry cream it will prevent it from forming a skin.
Looking for other custard desserts?
Crème Patisserie (Pastry Cream)
Equipment
- Whisk
- Saucepan
- Mixing Bowl
- Fine mesh sieve
- Cling film
Ingredients
- 2 cups whole milk
- 4 egg yolks
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or vanilla bean
- ¼ teaspoon salt kosher
Instructions
- In a saucepan over medium heat mix the vanilla and milk until it just starts to steam, cover and remove from the heat.
- While the milk is heating fill a large mixing bowl with ice and water.
- In a smaller mixing bowl combine the egg yolks, sugar, salt, cornstarch and flour. Whisk until pale and smooth. In a slow stream add the warm milk mixture whisking constantly. If your bowl is prone to sliding place a damp towel under it. Once all of the milk has been added pour the custard back into the saucepan.
- Over medium-high heat whisking constantly until the pastry cream starts to thicken, about 5 minutes, keep cooking until it starts to boil. Once boiling heat for a minute before removing from the heat. It needs to cook for the full minute. Then remove from the heat.
- Whisk in the butter until smooth and evenly combined. Clean out the smaller mixing bowl and place the fine mesh sieve on top. Pass the pastry cream through the fine mesh sieve to remove any lumps. Place cling film directly on top of the pastry cream to prevent a skin from forming. Place into the ice bath to cool for at least thirty minutes before refrigerating for at least 3 hours.
Notes
Nutrition
I just got some vanilla beans and know what I’ll be making with them! This looks so easy and perfect for many treats.
You make it look SO easy! This is a recipe I am definitely trying and I have a feeling I am going to be using it in so many desserts!
I have no idea that this pastry cream dessert is so easy to make.
I am glad that I bumped into your page to know and learn how to make this. So delicious! Thank you!
I’ve never made my own pastry cream and really want to learn how to make it. Going to make this recipe tomorrow, it looks so delicious 😉
I hope you love it!
I never thought that pastry cream could be so simple and easy to make! Making this for our dessert made me feel like a true pastry chef haha! Delicious!
Well, I’ve had my go-to pastry cream recipe for quite a while now, but it looks like that is about to change… This recipe is outstanding!
I added this pastry cream to puff pastry and it made the BEST dessert! So decedent and easy at the same time. Saving this recipe for the future!
I used this pastry cream to fill some cream puffs and wow — it made for such a wonderful filling! It had the most luscious texture with the perfect touch of vanilla.
What a versatile recipe! I love how delicious the pastry cream is, plus that you can use it for so many desserts!
Pastry creme was my favorite recipe we learned in culinary school – this one was so good! We used it in crepes with strawberries!