Pastry Cream Recipe
Pastry cream is a staple recipe for bakers and this version is our go-to. It’s easy to make and you don’t need any fancy equipment, just a saucepan, and a whisk. Serve this over a Tart Crust for the best Fruit Tart or pipe it into Eclairs or Cream Puffs.
Ingredients
- 1 whole large egg
- 2 large egg yolks
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 3 Tbsp corn starch
- 1/8 tsp fine sea salt
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a medium, heat-proof mixing bowl, combine egg, yolks, sugar, cornstarch, and salt, and whisk vigorously until completely smooth and lightened in color, 2 minutes.
- In a large saucepan add milk, heavy cream and butter and heat over medium heat until it just starts to boil, stirring occasionally to prevent the milk from scalding or a film from forming. As soon as it starts to boil, remove from heat.
- While whisking the egg mixture constantly, slowly drizzle in 1/3 of the hot milk mixture. This slow process of adding milk or tempering the eggs ensures you don’t scramble the eggs.
- Pour the warm egg mixture back into the saucepan with the remaining milk and whisk to combine. Set over medium heat and whisk constantly until thickened, about 2 minutes. The cream will thicken quickly but you want to give it a chance to cook off the corn starch so the cream doesn’t separate. Stop mixing for a few seconds and as soon as you see it’s starting to boil, reduce the heat to keep it at a very low boil and continue whisking vigorously for 1 minute. When it’s done, the cream should be thickened, smooth and glossy.
- Remove from heat and whisk in vanilla extract. Transfer cream to a shallow bowl and place plastic wrap directly over the surface of the hot cream to prevent a skin from forming and let it come to room temperature then refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to 3 days ahead.
Nutrition Facts
Pastry Cream Recipe
Amount per Serving
Calories
229
% Daily Value*
Fat
16
g
25
%
Saturated Fat
10
g
63
%
Trans Fat
0.1
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
1
g
Monounsaturated Fat
4
g
Cholesterol
114
mg
38
%
Sodium
67
mg
3
%
Potassium
89
mg
3
%
Carbohydrates
18
g
6
%
Fiber
0.03
g
0
%
Sugar
15
g
17
%
Protein
3
g
6
%
Vitamin A
669
IU
13
%
Vitamin C
0.2
mg
0
%
Calcium
67
mg
7
%
Iron
0.3
mg
2
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
