Crème Pâtissière à la Vanille ( Vanilla Pastry Cream )

Today I will share  crème pâtissière à la Vanille recipe. 

Crème pâtissière, as a filling in French pâtisserie, has a smooth and firm texture.  It can be plain or be flavored with vanilla, coffee, orange or lemon zest, chocolate, or liquor (rum, amaretto, or Cointreau). 

 
Making this thick custard is a preparation for making desserts such as cream pies, profiteroles, eclair, cakes and tarts. These desserts with crème pâtissière are best served cold.  So I suggest to make this cream a day ahead and let the crème pâtissière rest overnight in the fridge.

Let´s begin!


Vanilla Pastry Cream

Ingredients:
500 ml whole milk (3.5 - 3.8% fat)
4 large egg yolks
100 gr sugar
20 gr cornstarch + 20 gr plain flour, sifted
40 grams unsalted butter (3 tbsp)
½ vanilla bean or 1 tbsp vanilla extract (*If you use vanilla extract, add it at the end after adding butter)

Methods:

• Bring the milk, vanilla bean (pulp and pod) to  boil in a saucepan over medium-low heat.  If you want to use liquor as flavor, this would be the perfect time to add it into the mixture.
• In a mixing bowl break the yolks then whisk together with sugar, until combine. Add sifted starch and mix until smooth and fully incorporated.
• When the milk is hot, pour about half of it into yolk mixture and combine well then transfer it to the previous pan.
• Whisk continuously over medium heat, once you feel that the mixture is becoming slightly thick, remove it from the heat and add butter then whisk until the mixture is thick.
• Transfer to a bowl, cover the surface tightly with a piece of plastic wrap.This will prevent the formation of a crust (or dry skin). 
• Cool the cream in the fridge, minimum resting time in the fridge: 2-3 hours.

Note:

1. Use the pastry cream within 3 days.
2. Before using, whisk in the bowl for few seconds until smooth.