Pastry Cream

117 Reviews

“The classic version of vanilla pudding. Quick and easy. If you wish, substitute 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract for the vanilla bean, adding it after the pastry cream is removed from heat.” - by Kevin Ryan

Ingredients

2 cups milk
1/2 cup white sugar
1 vanilla bean, halved lengthwise
6 egg yolks
4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 pinch salt

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Metric US

Original recipe yields 3 cups

Directions

Place the milk, half the sugar and the vanilla bean in a saucepan over medium heat.
Combine the egg yolks and the remaining sugar in a bowl and whisk until light in color. Add in the flour and the salt, mix to combine.
When the milk just begins to boil, remove from heat and remove vanilla bean. Very slowly dribble the hot milk into the yolk mixture, stirring all the time. When about half of the milk has been added, place all of the yolk mixture into the saucepan over medium heat. Using a spatula or a whisk, mix the pastry cream as it heats, making sure to reach all of the corners of the pan when you stir. Bring the mixture to a boil. Let boil for about 1 minute, stirring constantly. The mixture will be thick.
Remove from heat and add the butter. Strain if you wish for a smoother cream. Place into a bowl and cover directly with plastic wrap to stop a skin from forming on the cream. Chill and use within a few days.

Nutrition

Amount Per Serving (12 total)

Calories
127 cal
6%

Fat
6.9 g
11%

Carbs
13.7 g
4%

Based on a 2,000 calorie diet

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Reviews (117)

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Ginger C.

Mar. 30, 2006

"Great Recipe! I tried this recipe today to use as the filling for small cream puffs. Fabulous! I followed the recipe as written except I used the vanilla extract instead of the bean. I piped the cr..." See moreeam into the puff pastry and then topped with a chocolate ganache. I've always been afraid to make these, but they were not nearly and hard as I thought. I will definitely make again. I also wanted to freeze these for a party, took a few out of the freezer tonite and the worst part was waiting for them to defrost. My husband just ate them frozen. I don't know if they will last until my party since he knows they are in the freezer."

j

Feb. 2, 2006

"An excellent recipe. I did scrape the seeds out of the halved vanilla bean, adding them and the scraped bean halves to the milk/sugar mixture prior to heating. Gave it a very intense vanilla flavor. I..." See more too was a little skeptical about the amount/choice of flour as a thickener, but no problem there - worked like a charm. No "flour-y" taste at all. I did strain the mixture, and it was smooth as silk. Bakery shop quality, and I found a home for a lonely bean that was sitting in my pantry. I could see this going into a lot of things - eclairs, cream puffs, trifle...even eating it alone as a pudding. Tomorrow, it gets used as a filling for a Boston Cream Pie. Good job, Kevin. Thanks for posting this one."

CALLALILLIE

Jan. 30, 2006

"Makes rockin' ice cream!!! I used this recipe to make ice cream for my dairy-allergic daughter. Omitted flour so it wouldn't be too think for the ice cream maker. Substituted rice milk for milk, an..." See mored canola oil for butter. Ran it in food processer when it cooled to make it smooth. It made some of the BEST ice cream I have eaten...and it had no milk or cream in it! So much better than store-bought, I am ecstatic to have found this recipe. Blessings on you Kevin!!!!!"

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